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

If you are going to ask for a TT to sit beside your new Wilson Chronosonic speakers, that would be the one.  Just how much of that price is 'because we can' plus the blingy bits would be interesting.

I have never been a huge fan of their tonearms, but when I asked a local dealer if they supplied arm boards for one of their then higher end tables, that would take a different manufacturers arm (I am a long time SME V fan) they acted as if I had sworn in church.

No doubt the new table will perform very well - but I'd like to see a blind listening test from know reviewers, between it and some of their best top end models like the Avenger. My bet would be that if they didn't know what they were listening to, the increment in performance would be nowhere near the increment in price.

@wspohn-  That's an interesting point. You can compare the incremental improvement in SQ of this set up, but compared to what?  I seriously doubt anyone with a $8K analog front end and $20K total system cost would install this TT into their system and notice any difference at all.  You certainly would not put an $800 cart on a $120K TT or listen to it through a pair of $1600 speakers.

I wonder how much of the incremental SQ improvement is due to the uber high end cartridge, cables, pre-amps, amps and speakers connected to this monstrosity?  I wonder how it would compare to a TechDas TT or other high end table connected to the same equipment list?

@jsautter, what was your experience meeting Matt?

I don't have a TT at this point in my life (nowhere to put a giant system in current house). I do miss my vinyl, but after reading this piece, t's almost a relief to not be in the game... 

I know manufacturers do this 6-figure launch thing partly out of a sense of market compulsion, needing to keep up with other big-ticket launches; also the battle to stay visible & relevant (ie, an arms race). Still, it's kind of ridiculous to see stuff like this, particularly when so  few younger people want to/can afford to enter the hobby. 

Can a 7-figure launch be far away? 

I have a sentimental attachment to VPI, because my 1st serious table was one of theirs (in mid-'80s). But this does seem excessive.

At least w/an Aston Martin, I could go to the grocery store & run errands... 

Luckily @br3098, the Aries 1 motor collar is removable. And just about any 9 or 10" arm can be used in place of the JMW 10

You are missing my point.  That deck is long gone.

lewm - not

If you guys are going to be mean to Mat, at least spell his name right.