CPI super platter vs. Classic aluminum platter

That foxy Harry, at it again. He is a marketing genius. Keeps selling you the 'new' and diss the 'old' based on quality issues, EU regulations etc. I have an Aries I, and never brought into the 'change', like the motor built into the chassis. My God, he sells like it was always the 'second coming'. No offense, Harry does make great products, just watch your wallet.

Thank you for your responses. I have the Super Platter on my Super Scoutmaster, which is better than the standard acrylic platter that came originally with the table. I read a couple of reviews that give the Classic aluminum platter glowing reviews on an Aries and on the Classic 3 tables. I understand the VPI exchange charge is about $150.

The aluminum platter Classic is a very good table. There are many other factors that impact sound along with the platter--the arm/cart, setup, phono pre, cables, etc. Platter is heavy with a lot of mass, seems damped enough, and sounds quite dynamic and deep/wide soundstage to me, with my equipment and setup.

If you already own the super platter, my opinion would be to just buy the aluminum platter and not exchange your super platter. The aluminum platter/bearing is $800 per VPI's current price sheet. Test them both out and if you don't like the aluminum platter, I'm sure you can resell it for $650+ thus negating the $150 exchange charge. If you like the aluminum platter more, I've seen the super platter sell for $800+ reguarly so you'll likely be out $0. Just a thought.

The VPI super platter is a rehash of the TNT 3,4,and 5 platters which are superior to solid aluminum (that rings).

The old TNT (I like the TNT 3) platters were Aluminum, cork, lead, acrylic, sandwiches, balanced to aerospace standards, and cost fortune to manufacture. They were the best!

Harry has gotten lazy and cheap, and wants profit over quality, going to easier to manufacture, and cheaper, solid acrylic and aluminum. It shows in everything they now make!

The super platter was the last good platter by VPI!

VPI has gone to high profit, and "New is better BS" over basic good design quality, because that sells!

Everything VPI made before the "Scout" turntable was "real" quality!