Maybe it is a help to catch the "problem" from a different view. Just an example with cartridges, here Koetsu. These are midrange pushers, that means, low performance in Bass and Highs. when someone likes that for whatever reason, then it is the way for him. He will always miss this "golden midrange" when he buys different, or even better cartridges. Or his Table/Arm/Phonostage is loaded with vibrations (platte, bearing, belt), distortions (the result from that) or whatever and this cartridge can compensate or hide it successfully.
When going to a better combination it is possible that these components will show what the Koetsu really is .... but there are similar carts out there ... that is just an example.
Same with Turntables, a good analog reproduction has a lot to do with Precision and - forgive me - VPI is mediocre at best. I listened to a few and I think, the dominant Bass is linked with a limited Soundstage and average high frequency detail. That's the "sonic fingerprint". Maybe I am wrong, but I recommend to use a few better records (try some from the 60's-70's), it can be possible, that these will tell you something new. A good table is never dominant in one area, it has no bass, high, speed... these are attributes from inferior design. A good table will show you what is in the groove, 1:1, the emotion comes from the Software, not from the Hardware.
The Vibraplane has no influence to that, that one stretches the soundstage in all directions and will serve you a better image in high frequency detail.
When going to a better combination it is possible that these components will show what the Koetsu really is .... but there are similar carts out there ... that is just an example.
Same with Turntables, a good analog reproduction has a lot to do with Precision and - forgive me - VPI is mediocre at best. I listened to a few and I think, the dominant Bass is linked with a limited Soundstage and average high frequency detail. That's the "sonic fingerprint". Maybe I am wrong, but I recommend to use a few better records (try some from the 60's-70's), it can be possible, that these will tell you something new. A good table is never dominant in one area, it has no bass, high, speed... these are attributes from inferior design. A good table will show you what is in the groove, 1:1, the emotion comes from the Software, not from the Hardware.
The Vibraplane has no influence to that, that one stretches the soundstage in all directions and will serve you a better image in high frequency detail.