New VPI 3D Arm

And why would I punish anyone for wanting their system to work. Bruce, thank you for letting me know about this thread, the funny part is I was in the middle of fixing some of these problems before I know they existed. I'm not going to fight you guys, I just want you to enjoy your tables and your experience. Clearly we haven't accomplished that with everyone and I'm sorry that is the case and would love to rectify that. We are a small company that has grown to a very large one in a short period of time. We are trying to meet all demands and yes we have hit problems that were unexpected. We don’t want to leave anyone high and dry.

Bifwynne you nailed it, “Sometimes their bent on innovation gets in the way of taking care of the little things that make such a difference.” That is so true, we have been tied up with the Nomad at the entry level point (I know entry level is still expensive at $1,000 but we did the best we could) while still expanding on the high-end at $30,000. Also, all of this is still being made in America. We are bent on innovation because this industry is exciting and there is always something new that we can try to achieve and bring to our customer. If we fail we will fix it… if might take longer than expected but it will get done and you will get quality!

Good news is the angry emails and this thread has led to me taking a closer look at the arm and the counter weight. The weight initially came WITHOUT the counter intuitive, however, since it was difficult to adjust we ADDED the Counter Intuitive and it SHOULD come on all 3D arms (that being said Harry does not use the Counter Intuitive but Harry has set up arms on a daily basis for 35+ years). To show how serious I am about this and upset about the bad taste this has let in everyone’s mouth I have thrown out all of the counter weights that do not fit the Counter Intuitive so my guys on the floor can’t possibly make this mistake. Also, if your 3D arm counter weight did not come with the Counter Intuitive let us know and we will take action because that is what you deserve.

Hiendmuse, the reason yours didn’t go out today is because it was yours that I noticed this problem with. I asked my build guy on the floor where the Counter Intuitive was and he said they don’t fit…. WTF! So you will be getting a proper counter weight with the Counter Intuitive. (I’m not totally sure who you are since I had emailed 3 different people at 2:30 in the morning about the 3D).

Judyazblues, I’m going to bite my tongue and just say you’re comments were rude. Despite your foul attitude I’d still buy a drink and invite you to listen with us at the factory because that is the type of people we are.
Mystery Person, please let me know what the issue is I promise we won’t punish you!

Maxh, sorry to hear you’ll be leaving the VPI family I hope we can either fix your experience or have you join us again down the road.

Also, so everyone knows this isn’t just for the forum I have posted the following to our facebook page. (link below)

https://www.facebook.com/vpiindustries/photos/a.10150518506800918.372190.313369810917/10152234620880918/?type=1&theater

Email us at sales@vpiindustries.com and we’ll be looking.

Thanks! -MW

Mat ... It is rare indeed for a company to step up and say what you just posted. I hope my fellow VPI TT owners will be as gracious in accepting your explanation and apology as you were in offering it.

Bruce

Based on Mat's email to me at 2:30AM, I am not done w/ VPI. I was
just momentarily pissed like many in this thread have been.....

I have faith that they will resize my sideweights so they don't bang
into my VTA tower and that they will come up with a counterweight
that fits, will work with my cartridge and maybe give me a counterintuitive
if I'm lucky.

VPI has their issues, but it's obvious that at their core, you have
"good people" doing their best ...but struggling with the small details
and releasing product probably before they really should. This results
in "field testing" with the consequence being the customer dropping major
coin only to end up with a music free evening coupled with excess
teeth-gnashing.....

Here is an interesting statistic for those who might be interested.
First of all, I think Stereophile magazine is to be taken with a grain of
salt at best when it comes to recommended components.....but I find it
very interesting that if you take the value of all class A turntables listed
and divide it by their number, the average turntable in class A costs 39550.00
and 90 percent of them DO NOT INCLUDE A TONEARM....

In that group is the VPI Classic 3 that does include a tonearm and it did not
take the 3D arm to get it a Class A rating from Michael Fremer......

Put a 3D Arm on it and you are still around 8000 retail and you have arguably
one of the best arms out there.......

A 3D armed Classic 3 still at 1/5th the cost of all the armless class A tables!!
Stick that on your facebook page VPI.......

Once I get my arm fixed, I will be a VPI fan once again........

Hi Mat,

Thanks for your response. We spoke yesterday (my name is Gary). We also talked about a different platter and bearing.

How long will it take to machine a new 180 gram counterweight to fit the 3D arm and also accommodate the CounterIntuitive? Hopefully this will also include the new fine counterweight and thumbscrew.

You have my email and phone # from previous emails.

Thank you!

Attention boys and girls...the 3D tonearm has larger side weights now...I don't know when they changed but the difference is worth doing. I understand that the smaller weights can be modified.