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VPI Direct Drive Turntable

I received a copy of the new Music Direct catalog today and saw the new VPI Classic Direct Drive turntable listed at $30,000. It looks virtually indistinguishable from the Classic 3 with the new 3-D tonearm save for three speed buttons in place of the pulley and the rubber belt. The description on the MD website is rather scant, and certainly does not give enough information to explain what makes this turntable $25K more expensive than the belt drive Classic line. The VPI website makes no mention of the new flagship product at all.

Does anyone have any information on this new megabuck VPI table?
actusreus
lewm
6,770 posts
 
The DD version probably is not 5-6 times "better" than the Classic 3. No one expects a linear relationship between cost and performance, I hope. Also, the fact that the two products look somewhat alike in photos is not necessarily meaningful. The proof of the pudding is in the eating; you'd have to listen to the two products side by side in order to make your own decision. HW seems to think that his DD tt is a revelation.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
$30K?? That's a bargain!! I think I'll grab 3 of them and give them to the kids as Xmas presents!! LOL!!
lewm
6,770 posts
 
Hilarious. Brilliant. Pointless.
don_c55
823 posts
 
VPI has had NO performance improvements since the TNT tables with SDS, and the original JMW arms!

Just more BS from HW!

But VPI makes much more money now. Go figure ????
peterayer
1,373 posts
 
There are a few good alternatives for $30K. Time will tell how this one performs relative to the competition.

The 3D arm has now been out a while. Are there any reviews or have people compared it to other references? I saw a recent video from Fremer on his website showing a tour of the VPI factory, but it stops short of discussing the sound of these new products. It is quite a tease.
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