VPI to What

It is possible that VPI table that are for sale are being replaced by better VPI models.  

I sold my classic 3 and am using my very old micro seiki bl-91. The uni pivot arm used to bug me but it did sound great. To my ears, the micro sounds better and it is a gorgeous table made out of rosewood. Those old micros are great. 

I too am parting with my VPI after 11 years. It’s been a good table but time to move up. I’ve decided on the Pure Fidelity Harmony. It’s built exceptionally well and has a variety of finishes. They offer several good tone arm options and their Stratos cartridge gets good reviews. Stereophile has a good review if you want to learn more. The reports from auditions described the sound as excellent.

I have a fully tricked out Superscoutmaster/rim drive/upgraded platter/arm, etc., etc.

It is a truly wonderful table...only once was it loosing speed....I sent the SDS for a checkup and it was perfect....I cleaned the bearing with Hoppes gun cleaner and it is dead quiet and stable.   I can't think of a better table that is audibly better in any way.

My other passion are cars. If you go on bringatrailer.com there are usually several Asto Marin V8 Vantages for sale. Many have only been owned for a year or so. I asked one owner why he was selling and he replied, "The Vantage us the best exotic I've ever owned, but I have a list of cars I want to work through while I can still drive".  He is in his late 70s. So he's not necessarily trading up, he's trading for a different ownership.experience. The same with turntables. Owners are not necessarily trading for performance, they're trading for novelty. The old joke among car guys when someone points out a really fast car is, "Had one, wasn't fast enough, sold it." Same with high end hifi.