Have You Tried the Super Platter

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

Agreed, the telephone at VPI is at times connected directly to the trigger of an IED. However, I've always had good luck with emails directly to tech support.

I have talked to Harry at VPI on the phone several times and I must say that he is a wealth of information and one of the nicest guys I have ever talked to. I own a VPI Aries 2 extended TT with JMW 12.5 arm and ZYX Atmos cartridge. I know many people think the "boutique" brands of turntables are much better than VPI's, but I am very happy with mine. I have had the opportunity to hear many turntables, but I love the sound of my VPI. For the money, they are hard to beat. Maybe some of the uprgrades are not worth the coin they cost, but the rim drive sure sounds promising.

I must agree with Slowhand. I've talked to Harry, Sheila, and Mike many times, and they always were interested in my question, and provided help that always worked. When I first got the rim drive, the arm shook, and dipped = always stayed in the groove, but it looked awful. Harry said that the ring around the rim drive had to seat...it would take 2 days, and damned it - in 2 days, the arm was and is quiet...doesn't even look like its moving. One of quite a few issues, but always resolved.

After about 12 years of owning VPI Gear, I have never gotten the chance to speak personally with Harry W. As folks say, he may very well be the nicest guy in the world, this I don't know? It is almost akin to trying get Shaolin Kung Fu lessons from the Grandmaster himself, when all you are is a Green Sash. It's like he cannot be bothered by such "trivia, and insignificance".

All I know, is when I get a woman on the phone there, it's like hitting a brick wall, and this shouldn't be. If it is Sheila, then maybe they should hire somebody who possesses some better people skills.

One shouldn't have to be wearing "The secret Decoder Ring" to get past this snafu, and get somebody who can help you with real tech advice (Mike) or know what current inventory is (Mike again)

Mike's a sweetheart, I cannot say enough good about him, and I'm sure both the Weisfields are great people as well, as I have been kindly taken care of in the past by these folks.

I do get the impression somewhat, they have somehow gotten too big for thier britches (and I could be very wrong about this assumption), but I am wise enough to as well understand, that we all have our bad days, and perhaps the times I've called was not a good time?

VPI always has made very good products, at what I feel were reasonable prices. Sure, they could've been better IMO in some areas, and a company such as this should not appear strained, or wore thin, due to lack of "heads" in a company.

I laugh sometimes, when a certain company of "one" claims "We this, and We that", when there is no "We", it's a one man Army! lol Mark