2. analog
  3. 127491-1975

Confessions from a VPI owner of some 30 years

I would like to start with a humble apology to the OP of a thread I recently (overtook) for personal reasons. smrex13, I apologize to you and hope your audio journey going forward is joyous!

To donvito101, I made my remarks personal and for this I apologize.

I checked for remarks from yesterday on the "VPI Prime noise issues" (2 threads, why, I don't know) . I still find it odd that VPI did not remark on smrex13' original thread, only to his last thread that ended, "not VPI's fault".

I've had a couple of issues since purchasing my VPI Classic 3 SE Sig. one year ago. I sent, (through my dealer), an initial question about the arm tower's operation on Feb 2016. I was told it would be forwarded to VPI. As of today, I've not received one comment.

I've recently, in the past 3 months, had a vibration issue through the 3D arm when the SDS is set at 33rpm. It is not noticeable at 45 rpm. I feel it through the finger lift.

I've tried oiling the motor, cleaning the belt & new talcum, the spindle bearing is just like recommended with the proper grease etc...

I relayed all of this through my dealer who asked for pictures and I sent them. This was two weeks ago. As of today, not one word. Because of my last question through my dealer in Feb w/ no response, I'm a little weary.

OK. So, my position is.... I should go through the proper channels. The dealer, right? VPI has their sales set up through a dealer network. This, I assume, is to take a burden off of them so they can be focused on manufacturing?

We/I/ you, pay a premium for this? I assume it's around 100% added to the actual cost of manufacturing. So, if I have an issue, I should follow the way VPI has their dealer network set up and take my concerns to the dealer. If this is not the way things should work, why then, doesn't VPI just sell directly? We/me/the end user could save BIG BUCKS.

That's pretty much the whole issue. I have no idea why VPI does not want to make any effort to settle this issue.

Cheers!






128x128slaw
turntablemat's avatar
turntablemat
36 posts
 
Merry Christmas to you too @cerrot I will not discouraged and my offer will still stand for both helping you with your turntable and for visiting our factory.  Lets talk after the holidays. :)

@gshepardbuster couldn’t agree more!

@zachteich and everyone else thank you for the support and helping to keep the love of music alive.
jollytinker
213 posts
 
Well put @turntablemat. We have now heard the airing of grievances. We have seen the feats of strength in rhetoric. Let us now give thanks for the miracle of good sound reproduction, and share some nice meatloaf.
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Hi slaw,

I realize that you have real issues and that can be frustrating in and of itself. Feeling that you cannot get resolution can easily push one over the edge. Obviously you meant no malice in starting this thread, but look what happened. We unfortunately now live in a world where there are not only those with a well-directed intent to help, but also many that are searching for opportunities to spread malice at every turn. Unfairly, we must take extra precautions in our public communications to avoid giving the latter a forum to create malevolent chaos. Not at all just, but true.

Perhaps a thread titled, "Best way to get through to the right folks at VPI?" or similar would have yielded better response to your issues and avoided this unfortunate and unintended scenario. Or, unfortunately, maybe not. At least it would have been your best foot forward in getting your needs met.

Not your fault at all, so please don’t look at this as blame or criticism, but that’s just how it is these days. I pity earnest manufacturers of audio gear, including Mat and Harry, that have to endure this type of abuse (not your’s) in this era of vengeful intent.

Best to you slaw and Merry Christmas,
Dave
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,321 posts
 
dicockrum,

Well said. My posting this thread has caused me to reflect on this and hope others can step back and see the value of the outcome, positives and negatives and choose better approaches going forward. I appreciate your post as all others'.

Since the other day, Mat contacted me with a couple of other things to try so the arm may/may not be the culprit. For anyone interested in the final outcome, I'll post it here.

Thanks to all.
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,321 posts
 
(FWIW:

These days, one never knows where we will find sources of wisdom that speak to our inner self.

I watched an interview with CBS's John Dickerson last night, speaking with Steven Colbert. There was a lot of wisdom in his reflections that spoke to me.)

Peace.
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