VPI Aries versus VPI Classic

Buconero, I am a VPI dealer who advised Taters to stick with the Aries. If you want a ring get the TTWeight one. I had a Super Platter on my Aries Extended and had both a VPI ring and the lighter TTW one and ended up using the TTW one more. A lot easier to use and does everything else about as well except flatten warps because of the light weight. They have heavier ones I haven't tried. Not a dealer for them.

My Aries was very bright compared to the Clearaudio Performance Magnum it replaced, and the VPI Classic which I now have. Not a contest, it lacked weight in the midrange, and with my gear some music just seemed to screetch.

I can't Imagine an Aries being bright. I have heard 2 other ones besides mine and bright is the last thing they are. What kind of cartridge and phono-preamp are you using?

The Classic is a good table; I have had a lot of VPIs in my 2 tours as a dealer and I have never had or heard a properly set up one of any vintage sound bad. I am just not sure it is an advance on the previous generation Scoutmaster, let alone the Aries. I should have mentioned in my previous post that the TTW ring fit all the VPIs I have tried it as well as the Basis.

I do not think my Aries I is bright. I have heard my table playing at the Dealers' after setup in the same location as the Classic table. We uplugged the classic and plugged in my Aries. My Aries was better but I think I had a better cartridge.