Probably one reason VPI even came with the Super Platter, was the frosted acrylics just weren't cutting it, no matter how pretty the turntable looked.
Looks can perhaps hoodwink a person into believing thier rig is so good, when in fact a stock Aries 3 might not sound that much better than an old HW-19Jr with Tomato Can-Plinth SAMA.
IMO, VPI has made good products, and some decent strides in thier past, and have also lately gotten very good at selling the fool public upgrades to the upgrades. I've been a VPI backer for 11 years, but not anymore. When Sheila W. answers the phone like a rabid pit bull, won't give you the right time of day, and Harry of course cannot participate in any forum, cause he's like a loaded gun, I think my next purchase will NOT be VPI, maybe Sota, or Galibier, folks who take interest in me! Mark