Bob, in all candor, I was simply being reactive to Mr. Poletti’s over-the-top post by being, inappropriately, more over-the-top.
I am truly glad that both you, and Mr. Poletti, have found a turntable that connects you to the music. And I can say that long ago, when I was a VPI user, the late Sheila Weisfield gave me the best customer service I have ever received. And I have no doubt that Mat has continued in his parents footsteps.
I like a company with a point of view. And if there was anything that turned me off to VPI it was the dizzying (to me) changes: plastic platters, composite platters, metal platters, inboard motors, integral motors, unipivot ams, captured bearing arms, direct drive, belt drive, idler drive, one belt two belts, three belts. It doesn’t speak to sound quality at all, but it just comes off, to me, as a restless (that part is good) company, with no real point of view (and I would quantify that as not so good).
Linn has been refining the same basic concept since the 1970s, and VPI has, seemingly been trying every concept under the sun in that time. Linn’s paradigm requires specialized expertise in set up, certainly making greater demands than VPI in this regard. It one of the reasons why Linn turns many folks off. And with good reason.
IMHO, neither is right, or wrong, but we all have our preferences. And this is why there are so many fine turntables for us to choose from. We each listen for different things and have different preferences. It’s a grand hobby!
I listen to VPI turntables regularly and have set up quite a few for friends, and they have always sounded very good and seem well built. Again, I’m glad that both you, and Mr. Poletti, are enjoying yours.
