This is very interesting to me; although I was a VPI dealer in the past as well as the present I missed the Aries 1 and 2 period entirely. I have an Aries Extended on order with 12.7 arm and super platter. I have not used a composite platter for years, was using a TNT 1 with upgrades as well as a Basis Ovation, now have a Scout and Scoutmaster on display, all using acrylic platters. But apparently VPI is abandoning the acrylic platters, the two new ones use metal and the Scout and Scoutmaster are switching to the same platter. So if you want acrylic now is the time to get one.