VPI Traveler v1 vs v2 comparison

Start up belt chatter on VPI tables can be easily addressed by putting the belt in a ziplock bag, pouring in some baby powder, seal the bag again, shaking the bag, then pull the belt out and shake off extra powder. Then put the belt back on. You have to do this every few months if the chatter comes back. But it will be quiet. Try it out, this is advised by VPI. The motor pulley is designed to spin a bit loosely to make the motor as quiet as possible.

I did not listen to the p6, as much as I have enjoyed my p2 for the past 6+ years there are some things about Regas that just seem entry level. I still love my Mira3. I also love the 10" tonearm of the traveler and the power and speed stability of the ac motor vs Rega's dc motor. I could be wrong but I think that even with the TTPSU and laminated glass platter the traveler can most likely out-perform the p6 in terms of wow and flutter, maybe someone can post some comparison tests someday as these two TTs along with the Concept are all closely priced and in my opinion the 3 to consider at this price point. The traveler I bought was $400 less than the p6 at retail, and it is super fun to use, it does not feel entry level, and it sounds great. This morning my UK press of Hunky Dory had never sounded so vibrant and real, I had to spin it twice. I will try the baby powder on the belt, I am glad there is a solution to that squeak. I had been thinking about something to use as a belt dressing, but baby powder (cornstarch) hadn't crossed my mind.

@smatty, the v2 Traveler has a 48v DC motor. I got my new RP6 for less than what you paid for your v2 Traveler and I think both are excellent tables around the $1000 price range. I really like the finish of the RP6 and the on-the-fly anti-skate adjustment (set to no anti-skate now). I was not sure of the power switch on the plinth of the v2 Traveler and I like the TTPSU on / off, plus the 33 / 45 separate from the table.

Did powdering the belt take care of the startup chatter on your v2?

@smatty, and if powdering the belt did take care of you startup chatter (I hope it did), I wonder why VPI does not ship the belt pre-powdered with a recommendation to do it every month or so? The startup chatter made the v2 Traveler feel cheapish to me...

I have had a V1 Traveler since November 2012 and really like the sound of this table.

I had used a Thorens TD125 AB Mk11 since 1971, and did many improvements to it along the way.

It wasn't ten seconds into the first song with the Traveler table that I knew I made a wise choice.

Sound stage, overall clarity, and much deeper bass response are the notable improvements.

This table is very easy to set up, and looks fabulous in my living room (version 1). My girlfriend even thinks it looks cool!

I decided to treat myself to a low output moving coil cartridge, being so happy with the Traveler. I bought a Denon DL301 Mk II and the Shure step up transformers.

This combination of this table, cart and xformers is just wonderful.

When I bought the Traveler I did not know about a version 2 about to be released, but feel that my version 1 looks like a more high end table.

I see a lot of complaining about belt chatter or squeal on start up with a Traveler table. I look at it this way- it is nice to know the motor has enough torque to squeal the belt, rather than marginal torque and no squeal.

If you remember back to the muscle car days, it was pretty hard to leave the light and not make the tires "talk' a little bit. Grandmas 6 cylinder Bel Air was silent, and could not get out of its own way. Tires were cheap then, so who gave a rats arse. Belts are still cheap, so, there you go again! RIP Ronald.

You should hear some of the 60's and early 70's Columbia 6 eye Les Elgart albums on this table. It's so good it makes you want to cry!!!! Talking about toe tapping good? This is the bomb!!!

P.S. upsampling cd player just gathering dust. May just have to turn it into a drink holder. LOL

Bye, Bruce