VPI - HR-X or a SME 20/2A

Readster how can you say that. The SME is the ultimate in precision accuracy. They also are easy to set-up and take up half the space of the VPI.
It may knot have the killer looks that some folks think the VPI does, but it makes up for it in musical performance.

This fellow seems to be very experience when comparing Tables. Email him for any suggestion.

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Tables.html#ClA

I have a VPI HRX and have heard the SME 20 a number of times for extended listening sesions in my friend's system and once at a dealer. I have also heard the SME 30/2 for a very long listening sesion at a dealer's home. Both the HRX and the 20 are very well designed and built. Neither should present problems setting up. With respect to sound, I think the HRX is much more dynamic and solid sounding. I think the proper comparison is between the HRX and the 30/2, which has better isolation and is very dynamic. The difference between the 30 and the HRX is that the HRX is livlier (some would consider this coloration). The one thing that HRX owners will tell you is how much they enjoy listening to the table - it pulls you into the music and gets you foot tapping. The 30/2 may be the nth degree more transparent. You should also consider the fact that with the HRX you can easily change arms/cartridges.

all this superiority talk cracks me up sometimes, are you talking about superior materials ? superior design ? superior craftsmanship, or superior looks ? what, because its not superior sound, and thats what is important in my book, have you noticed how many in the audio business, use vpi tables and arms, in their reference audition rooms ? vpi, are the best sounding tables around in my opinion, and apparently alot of other professionals also, they may not be made of the most exotic materials, or the most complicated designs, but they are the best sounding, call it synergy, or whatever you want to call it, but hey, thats all i've got to say about that forest

I haven't heard VPI's latest flagship, but every other VPI I've heard is a bit syrupy. If I were to play a bunch of 70's and 80' pop it's what I'd buy.