VPI HR-X vs SME 20

Jonathan, let me make sure I have got my facts straight here. Is it correct to assume that your assertions regarding problems with the motor and arm on the HR-X are based on one friend’s experiences? If that is indeed the case, to make a blanket statement that all of the motors and arms are defective is grossly unfair and misleading. Let me illustrate my point. A mutual friend of ours bought an Audio Aero Capitole Mk. II CD Player. As you are well aware, his experiences with the player have been a nightmare. Let’s assume I posted the following on the bulletin board in response to a question regarding the Capitole and another player:

“I would go for the XXXX CD Player. It is a more finished product. The Capitole Mk. II is having all sorts of problems. The XXXX is reliable, ready for market and marvelous.”

How would you have responded to the post? Given that you probably have sold more of these players than any dealer in the country, I imagine you would have been defending the product and calling me on the carpet for doing so. This post is no different than what you posted about the HR-X. Do you now know what I am trying to say here? While your friend may be having problems with his table, to make a blanket condemnation of all of them is way off base.

I am sorry for my confusion over you being an SME dealer. I could have sworn that I saw on the Chambers Audio website that you were a dealer. I would also like to take you up on your offer to contact your friend. I find it very hard to believe his problems have not been addressed by VPI given their reputation in the industry for customer service. I have a suspicion here that we are not getting the whole story on the situation. My motivation for responding to this has nothing to do with me owning one of these tables. I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about my purchasing decisions. I know my experience with the product and it goes counter to what you have stated. I just don’t like to see one of the truly nice people in this industry getting unfairly slammed.

All the best,

Rufus

Rufus, can you keep us all posted on this? I am very interested in the outcome. I too am interested in the VPI HR-X TT and would like to know the potential problems.
I currently own an Aries and I have not had any problems with the motor. Although, the Aries does not use a flywheel. Jtinn's comment about the arm (12.5) could be with regard to the anti-skate? If so, he may be correct in his concern. However, with (very) carful playing around with the cable you can get it correct (if not close), and Wally has a new anti-skate device that may do the trick!

Rufus, your assumptions are incorrect. My friend has not had the chance to try the table, which has been sitting in his house for four months, because both his dealer and the VPI factory said they were having problems.

When you speak with my friend, who is an Audiogon member, you will certainly feel differently about the "reputation in the industry for customer service" statement.

When I sell the Audio Aero, I let everyone know about the problems that have arisen. I also suggest for these reasons that they buy new so they have the warranty. I do not always suggest buying new to my customers.

My friend is out of town, but I will put you in touch with him. He will be visiting me during the weekend of the 21st. Please ask our mutual friend for my phone number and I will put you in touch with him.

Let us get another thing straight, I never slammed anyone and maybe you need to re-read these posts. The other thing you need to be aware of is as a reviewer, you think anyone is going to share with you info about problems they are having with a product you will be reviewing? Please.

Time to jump in and clear this up.

There were three HR-X motor assemblies shipped with only one capacitor in the assembly instead of two. Our mistake. Both assemblies were immediately replaced to the customers and the old assemblies were sent back in the new assemblies box. No down time at all.

One motor assembly had too close a tolerance between the flywheel bottom and the assembly and the flywheel over a period of time settled down and touched the base. Same action, same result. All flywheels raised by .030 inches.

These are normal teething problems in the startup of a new product. Anyone who tells you differently is lying through his teeth. We cannot foresee every possible thing that can go wrong in a product from day one. That's it, finished, end of story.

VPI has been making turntables for 25 years, the TNT version for 15 years. The HR-X is the final evolution of a product that has won Stereophile Mag. "Analog Product of the Year" 3 times. Is used by more manufacturers than any other table in the high end and has an amazing record of longevity.

BTW, VPI has won the "Analog Product of the Year" 4 times total, The TNT HR was HI Fi Plus Analog Product of the Year and Editors Choice.

I will tell you that after hearing the difference the periphery record clamp makes, I feel any expensive challenger in this arena that doesn't have one cannot hold up sonically. It is a real and constant improvement across the board and negates the use of vacuum and its associated problems. The same holds true for the flywheel and it's sonic results.

As far as Jtinn is concerened, you should really tell this customer to call VPI not you. What will you do for him, sell him an amplifier, hold his weiner!! That's all you could do for him because you can't solve his problem, real or imaginary. His problem is with his dealer and VPI. When I find out who it is I will post a full explaination. I am really pissed at this. We have the best service in the business and when things like this get posted I feel it is all for nothing and a huge waste of energy!!!!!!!!!!!

If you think it is easy making things for reasonable prices in the US why don't you try doing it. Oh yes, the HR-X is cheap compared to what other compaies would charge for this level of engineering and manufacturing. The SME has no periphery ring clamp, no flywheel, no air suspension, and is $12,500.00 retail. Do you get what I am saying.

Jonathon, I don't think you understand the point I am trying to make here. Your blanket statement that the HR-X has problems appears to be based upon one person's experience. To say that all of the tables have problems based upon one person's experience does not make sense (at least not to me). All I was trying to do was trying to get that point across using the Audio Aero our friend has as an example. If I based my opinion of the AA on his experiences, I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole and I would be wrong as it is an excellent player in spite of its teething problems, which you have been upfront about. I really do feel that if I had made a post about the AA like you did about the HR-X, I would be called on it. That is just my perception based on other posts regarding the AA.

I felt your comment was a slam in an offhand and around the bush way. That may not be what you meant, but that is the way it came across to me and others.

And yes, I do agree with your comment that most manufacturer's probably would not share information about a product that was having problems with a reviewer who was about to review that product. However, that does not apply in this case, as I told Harry up front when I ordered the table in May that I did not want to review it. I bought it solely for my own pleasure to replace a TNT Mk. V HR. The only VPI table I have ever discussed reviewing with the Weisfeld's has been the Scout. As I consider Harry and Shelia good friends, should I review the Scout, that point will be disclosed in the review.

Harry has been very upfront with me about the VPI during the entire design process of the HR-X. He and I talked at least twice a month from the time the table was ordered until it was delivered about how the process was coming. I was made aware of the three tables Jonmatd mentions in his comments by Harry awhile back. Harry has hid nothing from me that I know of.

Assuming your friend has indeed poor service from VPI, it appears to be the exception rather than the rule as evidenced by the posts on this board and AudioAsylum. I just find it hard to believe knowing what I know of VPI that anyone could get bad service from them. But I also realize you are not going to make everyone happy.

Looking forward to talking with you next week and I hope this dialog has not caused any problems between us.

Rufus