VPI's new "Vanquish" Ultra High-End turntable is a STUNNER!

fsonicsmith

At this level, I don’t understand VPI’s failure to design around two inherent compromises that VPI is infamous for implementing; 1) a junction box instead of continuous wiring from cartridge pins to connector of choice ...

My understanding is that the Vanquish does not use a junction box, but instead has concealed wiring and a built-in phono stage. So you might want to check your facts on that.

I don’t care how thick the aluminum or alloy or whatever the armboard is constructed of, I don’t care how tightly and securely it is clamped to the plinth, it will be susceptible to resonance that would not be present with a better design ...

While that seems intuitively true, I’ve actually heard how these turntables and armboards work, and it was v-e-r-y impressive with no audible hint of resonance.

maybe a better name is ’The Harlot’? :-)

who would want that thing in their room? hopefully there are choices for the accent color. or maybe VPI visits different customer rooms than i’ve ever seen. i can’t recall a room where that would look right.

i guess it’s possible that in person it has an elegance that pictures completely miss.

and i’m a guy with expensive red and gold anodized amps and preamp.......so i am open to the color red. but with an ’elegant’ sort of feel. my darTZeel’s are not universally loved for their look. but this one takes that over-the-top.

seriously; i’m sure it will be a strong performer as VPI is a competent company. do they have the musical vision to play in that league? maybe they do. i love my direct drive Wave Kinetics NVS sitting on an active platform......so a big direct drive on it’s own rack appeals to me. like my gone for 8 years now Rockport Sirius III. i hope it’s wonderful sounding as we can always use another top flight turntable. and most all the other ’over’ 6 figure tt’s are belt driven.

will the market ’buy' an ’uber’ tt with the VPI brand? it’s a question. it will have to be more than very good. i do give VPI lots of credit for being all-in on this tt thing we all like.

i hopefully will hear it at Axpona.

I'm about to jump in my car to drive to the CAF.  I'll see it in person, I guess.

Lewm-

 If VPI is there, at least tell Harry/Matt enough with the blue light embellishment. 
Maybe a nudge to trickle down the DD/mag design to a $5K pricepoint? 

Yeah, it's a ridiculous suggestion.

While I am sure it sounds amazing, I don’t see 100-120k worth of sound.  I have owned 3 different VPI  tables over the years and they always seem to be bigger in size than most others.  Looks like they borrowed the look from ClearAudio.  I’ll pass.