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

That's what is said about every new VPI model. What are they up to now, 100 models since the 1980s? How can every model be "new and improved"?

This is my problem with VPI. They keep making new turntables and then 3 years later offer a turntable that's "better for half the price" which would make me feel ripped off. I'm not sure they know what their turntable sound like, but they are a great marketing company. It would be interesting to compare an early TNT to one of these tables.

I have a TNT, but it has been significantly modified, I machined and added a 0.25" thick MIC-6 AL constrained layer plate to the bottom, and added a 2nd armboard courtesy of a delrin Avenger armboard and it sounds great, but the cost to manufacture and sell today would be close to the $15K HRX.  VPI has never said the new model is better at half the price.  If a fully loaded Prime is better than an older TNT, then it is the tonearm, but a TNT with fat-board and an AL constraining layer and current motor would be the HRX at nearly $18K.  But, the TNT is huge.  The TNT and now advanced with the Avenger to easily accept multiple arms, are the tweakers dream, you can start at one level and just keep going up, they really are about your journey.   So VPI has tables to match the customers desire, destination, or journey.  As an engineer, I appreciate the constant experimenting and never ending changes that Harry with VPI has pushed.  While to some it may be a marketing ploy, however, as an engineer I see it as one persons passion that the company has not lost, especially as many of the advances/changes are backward compatible, how many companies offer that within a mechanical prespective.  Softwear, yeah today thats easy, try it mechanically - that is is a whole nother relm. But, some changes are just manufacturing efficiency, VPI will tell you that the TNT super platter is just too difficult and expensive to manufacture today.  However, I will be the first to admit that if Harry has engineering notebooks documenting all the changes, those are some THICK notebooks.🤔

@jsautter

“....VPI is at the bottom of my list for turntables. After having met Matt at Axpona last year it would be lower if this were possible....” LOL, JSAutter I am still laughing with your comment.indeed Mat is funny. He usually blames Fedex for the poor design and cheap construction practices of his Tonearms and turntables. I know a guy  who has appointed a law office to sue VPI for damage.