VPI Classic 1 again

[waynefi]

Ok last year in a weak moment I sold my Classic 1 for a lot of reasons.

Now I have one back, with a Dyna 20x HO. I believe this is much easier to setup and sounds better then the Ortofon 2M Black in my previous Classic.

[JohnAng]

Wayne

looks great mate. I am a fan of the classic TT

congrats on the re-purchase

[dixlon]

Wayne,

U had the Music Hall 9.1 turntable before. What do you like about the Classic? I was about to purchased the Music Hall but others have told me I would be better off in the long run with the Classic.

[waynefi]

Yeah, I get a little wierd at times and my priorities in hobbies change.

The MH 9.1 is a great table and if you buy it at the right price, around 1800.00, with the cartridge, it is an unbeatable deal. I sold it for a Classic 1, which I promptly sold several months later, that's the whole hobby priority thing I mentioned above.

BUT, I knew I needed another which I just got. This new one has a few small changes which I like. I also like the performance with the Dyna 20x2 HO much better then the Ortofon 2M Black.

If you buy the Classic 1 for a good price you will still be more then the MH 9.1 with the cartridge by 500 or so dollars and still need a cartridge.

But the over feel, fit, quality, sound is certainly worth the money if you want to. But the MH 9.1 is real nice, or a B stock Scout at Music Direct @ $1399 is also another way to go possibly.

Wayne

[waynefi]

Wayne

looks great mate. I am a fan of the classic TT

congrats on the re-purchase

Thanks !!!

[Tedrick]

Wayne,

U had the Music Hall 9.1 turntable before. What do you like about the Classic? I was about to purchased the Music Hall but others have told me I would be better off in the long run with the Classic.

Several years ago, I was in a similar situation, trying to decide between a MH MMF-9 and a used VPI HW-19 Mk III. Both 'tables have their pluses:

VPI: Better arm, superior platter and bearing, overall better engineering, excellent customer service and support, factory-supported upgrade path for most models, made in the USA.

MH: costs less, interesting triple plinth/sorbothane isolation system, includes a dust cover and cartridge.

I went with the HW-19, and have never for one second regretted the choice. Based on my experience, I've since added a Classic and an Aries I to my stable and will be a VPI owner for life.

[dixlon]

Wayne,

U had the Music Hall 9.1 turntable before. What do you like about the Classic? I was about to purchased the Music Hall but others have told me I would be better off in the long run with the Classic.

Several years ago, I was in a similar situation, trying to decide between a MH MMF-9 and a used VPI HW-19 Mk III. Both 'tables have their pluses:

VPI: Better arm, superior platter and bearing, overall better engineering, excellent customer service and support, factory-supported upgrade path for most models, made in the USA.

MH: costs less, interesting triple plinth/sorbothane isolation system, includes a dust cover and cartridge.

I went with the HW-19, and have never for one second regretted the choice. Based on my experience, I've since added a Classic and an Aries I to my stable and will be a VPI owner for life.

Thanks for your insight about VPI. I am looking at the Classic 2 with the adjustable VTA. I have 120, 180 and 200 gram records and the adjustable vta would be a nice feature for me. I haven't decided on a cart...don't know where to start?

[Samurai7595]

Hi Dixlon,

I'm using the Dynavector DV-20x Low MC on my VPI Scoutmaster / JMW-9 Signature combo and it's very nice. The VPIs really work well with Dynavector carts.

Also, if you get a chance, try to audition the Lyra Delos.

[brianmch]

Hi Dixlon,

I'm using the Dynavector DV-20x Low MC on my VPI Scoutmaster / JMW-9 Signature combo and it's very nice. The VPIs really work well with Dynavector carts.

Also, if you get a chance, try to audition the Lyra Delos.

I just installed a DV-20 on my rega P3-24 after listening to it on a VPI Classic and being very impressed. That was a pretty modest front end relative to the rest of the setup behind it.

[Tedrick]

Thanks for your insight about VPI. I am looking at the Classic 2 with the adjustable VTA. I have 120, 180 and 200 gram records and the adjustable vta would be a nice feature for me. I haven't decided on a cart...don't know where to start?

You're very welcome. When I got my Classic, the on-the-fly VTA adjustment was not available as a factory option. My Aries I has it, and I agree it is a very nice feature that I would like to add to my Classic someday.

Regarding cartridges. I agree with Samurai7595, the DV-20X is a good match with VPI 'tables. In fact all Dynavectors are. I've used a DV 20XL and a 17D3 Karat with my HW-19 and Classic 'tables, both with excellent results. I'm currently using Lyra cartridges (Delos on Classic and Clavis on Aries I). Other cartridge brands known to have good synergy with VPI 'tables include Benz, Zyx, and Shelter. The Soundsmith/VPI Zephyr also looks intriguing, but is still new enough that there aren't many out in circulation yet.

[dixlon]

Hi Dixlon,

I'm using the Dynavector DV-20x Low MC on my VPI Scoutmaster / JMW-9 Signature combo and it's very nice. The VPIs really work well with Dynavector carts.

Also, if you get a chance, try to audition the Lyra Delos.

Thanks Samurai7595 for your input. I will do my research on the Dynavector and Lyra carts. My wife and I are also from Montreal. Go Habs go! I grew up in TMR and my wife is from the West Island (Kirkland). We moved out here to Arizona nine years ago.

[dixlon]

[
You're very welcome. When I got my Classic, the on-the-fly VTA adjustment was not available as a factory option. My Aries I has it, and I agree it is a very nice feature that I would like to add to my Classic someday.

Regarding cartridges. I agree with Samurai7595, the DV-20X is a good match with VPI 'tables. In fact all Dynavectors are. I've used a DV 20XL and a 17D3 Karat with my HW-19 and Classic 'tables, both with excellent results. I'm currently using Lyra cartridges (Delos on Classic and Clavis on Aries I). Other cartridge brands known to have good synergy with VPI 'tables include Benz, Zyx, and Shelter. The Soundsmith/VPI Zephyr also looks intriguing, but is still new enough that there aren't many out in circulation yet.[/quote]

I have a question regarding the carts you used in the past. Is there a big difference in performance with the Dyna's 20x2, 17D3 and the Lyra Delos? I listen to jazz, classic rock with a little bit of vintage Al Green. I assume I will be happy with any of the three carts? Thanks again for your thoughts.

[waynefi]

Like I mentioned I really like the Dyna 20x2 HO that I have on this Classic. Much more forgiving then the 2M Black on my first Classic, without much time in it. I t also sounds great.

I looked at my notes from awhile back. It's $800.00 to add the new base with on the fly adjustable VTA, to the Classic 1.

[Tedrick]

I have a question regarding the carts you used in the past. Is there a big difference in performance with the Dyna's 20x2, 17D3 and the Lyra Delos? I listen to jazz, classic rock with a little bit of vintage Al Green. I assume I will be happy with any of the three carts? Thanks again for your thoughts.

I listen to about 95% jazz, 3% classical, and 2% classic rock. What you get as you move from the 20X2 to the Karat is improved detail retrieval, dynamics, and refinement. The changes are not huge, but they are there. The Karat is dead neutral; it is neither warm sounding nor lean and bright. It simply retrieves the information that is in the grooves and passes it down the line without adding any coloration.

To my ears, the Karat and Delos are a lot more alike than they are different. The Delos has a similar neutral presentation, but is just a touch sweeter with better imaging and soundstaging. The Delos also improves on the Karat's detail retrieval and dynamics.

I would like someday to try a DV XX-2 or a Lyra Kleos to hear how they improve upon the Karat and Delos.

I looked at my notes from awhile back. It's $800.00 to add the new base with on the fly adjustable VTA, to the Classic 1.

I called VPI a while back about this and was told about the same thing. Pretty steep, but I'll probably do it at some point (unless a really good deal on a Classic 3 falls in my lap first ).