VPI Classic
"30th Anniversary"
Note: The VPI Classic 1 is no longer in production but still has available upgrades.
The VPI Classic was originally made as a limited edition 30th anniversary table. However, it caught on so well that it found a permanent place in the VPI line. It went through an evolution over the years from style of the wood finish as well as the location of the motor. The Classic was Harry's hat tip to the original HW-19. Originally when it was made the top steel was separated into two pieces with a strip of rubber in between. In time and after vibration tests it was discovered there was no sonic difference between the separate triangular shape over the motor and having one solid piece of steel stretching across the entire table.
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Hi Fi Plus - Turntable of the Year - 2009
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Harry Pearson - Golden Ear Award 2009
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Anthony Cordesman - Golden Ear Award 2010
The VPI “Classic Turntable” comes standard with the unipivot JMW-10.5i tonearm Special Edition in rigid mount mode. The “Classic Turntable” uses new VPI pure copper wire, a solid plinth with black oak or walnut finish (at no additional cost), a solid mounted AC synchronous motor, new cast aluminum platter, silent inverted bearing, and new isolation feet derived from the HR-X.
The sound of the “Classic Turntable” is fast, clean, wide open, with deep powerful bass, and unequaled in speed stability. The “Classic Turntable” gives any turntable made regardless of price a serious "run for the money."
This completely new design has produced the simplest and one of the best sounding VPI tables to date.
The Classic 2
The VPI "Classic 2" was actually never intended to becoming a production table. Instead the accessory of a VTA on the fly adjustment base was meant to be an upgrade to the existing "Classic" Turntable. Once it was applied a reviewer identified it as being a "2" and Harry rolled with it. This started the Classic line down the same path of numbers to identify upgrades to the product.
However, the secret was there was no sonic difference between the Classic 1 and Classic 2. This wasn't much of a secret because we made sure to tell everyone if they weren't looking for finer adjustment or adjusting the VTA for each record they would be fine with the Classic 1. With the Classic 2 you had the ability to adjust the VTA while you were enjoying your listenign experience giving you the chance to dial in the sound to your own ear.
VPI "Classic Turntable" Features:
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Special Edition JMW-10.5i SE tonearm - By giving up "VTA on the fly" adjustments, you get most of the sound of the highly reviewed JMW-10.5i tonearm. A new less expensive base and mounting saves hundreds of dollars but gives up little in sound.
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New investment cast aluminum high inertia platter with precision inverted bearing.
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Speed stability on par with a master tape - Due to the rigid mounting of motor - platter - tonearm there isn't any random motion to cause speed instabilities.
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Noise rejection allowing the "Classic Turntable" to sit on a wood shelf near four 15" sub-woofers and having virtually no feedback.
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Lack of random motion between the motor - platter - tonearm gives the ultimate in low level resolution. Not only does this rigidity improve speed stability, it also allows the retrieval of low level information with the world's great turntables and pushing against master tapes.
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Absolutely solid, non-resonating laminated one-piece chassis holding all components. This is not a wooden frame; it is a solid laminated 2.5" thick MDF block with 11 gauge steel attached to the top with silicone and long bolts through all the layers. The chassis weighs 30 pounds and is totally non-resonant.
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Real black oak or walnut wood veneer finish.
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RCA jack termination so you can use the interconnect of your choice.
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Tonearm anti-skate - For those that require the fine adjustment of anti-skate, it is standard on the JMW-10.5i SE.
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Optional lift off full dust-cover is available by third party companies.
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Optional periphery ring clamp.
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Optional ADS power supply.
Dimensions:
20.75" W x 15.75" D x 10" H (Including tonearm wire loop)
Weight: 45 pounds
Reviews:
