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
I have never had an issue with Vpi customer service.  They have always been helpful. However, with that being said i always believed that the original scout with acrylic platter was Vpi s most honest table as well as best value. The earlier Aries and 1st classic were their best tables.  The only thing with Vpi and other unipivot designs is truly understanding how to set them up properly.  That's the key.  Its the biggest weakness.  Setup and alignment is critical.  It takes times to learn how to do this properly. I like the sound of the original scout better than the prime.  That's just me.
My last email to Mat before this morning was on Dec 29th. Haven't heard a word since. Still hopeful.

Last thought was a bad capacitor in the SDS?

I felt like I was the bad guy in my last email with my dealer.
You'd think, since I kept the dealer's identity out of this discussion, they'd be more helpful. Not.

To my discredit, I've since purchased another (demo) product from them that was obviously defective (to their knowledge). I reported this. No answer.


You won't hear from him.  Matt only reaches out when he smells a sale.