It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair.
Last Friday I took the < 1 hour drive South to the VPI House for the launch of the Model One Turntable, the first of three ‘tables to be released as part of VPI’s new Forever Series.
The new VPI Model One is, as will be the rest of the ‘tables in the Forever line, a modular (and upgradeable) design consisting of a Motor Drive and Platter Module and the new VPI S-Tonearm Module all sitting on a new 3-Point Floating Suspension system designed for superior isolation from external vibrations according to VPI.
The colorful and fact-and-fun-filled presentation was given by company owner Mat Weisfeld, and for those who don’t know VPI—who doesn’t know VPI?—the company was founded in 1978 by Sheila and Harry Weisfeld and Mat expressed the importance of carrying on the company his parents built over the past 46 years. The Model One pays hommage to that legacy.
The new 10″ VPI S-Tonearm is made from a solid chunk of aluminum, no tube here, and has a fixed headshell. The upcoming Model Two Turntable will include a new arm with a detachable headshell which gets us back to the Modular Design approach of the Forever Series—owners of a Model One can swap out their arm module for the upcoming Model Two or Model Three arm for an easy upgrade. The same goes for the Motor Drive and Platter Module. Nice!
The system used for the demo included a pair of 7-foot-tall Quintet15 Open Baffle speakers from Pure Audio Project featuring 4x 15″ woofers (woof!) per side paired with a full range Voxativ driver. The cartridge in use was the 60th Anniversary AT-MC2022 ($9000) from Audio Technica.
Electronics were from McIntosh and included their CS50 Preamp, MEN220 Room Correction System that also acted as 2-Way Electronic Crossover for the Pure Audio project speakers, and a pair of the 150 Watts per side MC275 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Amplifiers. Cables were from Nordost.
While the McIntosh MEN220’s room correction was corrected using different amps that had the bass produced from Mc 275s sounding a tad plump, the overall impression was pure, clear, expansive and open sound from this very capable system.
Perhaps the best news of all is the new VPI Model One Turntable is priced at $5250 including the S-Tonearm. In today’s hifi market, I bet some of you were thinking that price was going to have another zero at the end.
Here’s the complete press release from VPI:
The VPI Forever Series ushers in a new era of performance and modularity, paying tribute to over 45 years of VPI heritage. This new series embodies VPI’s commitment to innovation, offering turntables that can evolve with the user. The Model One, the first release in this series, features a fully modular and upgradeable system, blending VPI’s engineering excellence with future-proof design.
Also Available With Dust Cover and Blank Armboard
10-Year Warranty
The VPI Forever Series is a testament to our confidence in the durability and longevity of our products. The 10-year warranty reflects VPI’s commitment to quality and our readiness to service and upgrade our turntables over time. With this extended warranty, customers can trust in their investment, knowing that their turntable is built to last.
Motor Drive and Platter Module
At the heart of the Model One is the Motor Drive and Platter Module, crafted for both high performance and flexibility. This module is mounted on a thick aluminum plate and features a resonance-canceling damping plate to reduce vibrations, improving sound clarity.
Key features include:
- 300 RPM belt drive motor (500 RPM in 230V countries) with a two-speed pulley for precise speed control.
- Forever Platter: A 2” thick, 12” diameter platter with an inverted bearing, minimizing surface area contact between the platter and bearing, which reduces friction and boosts performance.
The modular design of the Motor Drive and Platter Module allows users to easily service, adjust, package, replace, or upgrade the system. Future upgrades or new models will seamlessly integrate with this platform, ensuring a smooth upgrade path for users.
New VPI S-Tonearm Module
A standout feature of the Model One is the New VPI S-Tonearm Module, which introduces enhanced precision and build quality. Key elements include:
- Solid aluminum architecture: Eliminates tube resonances, ensuring pure sound reproduction.
- Azimuth adjustment at the headshell, coupled with a solid mounting system.
- Vertical Tracking Adjustment (VTA) in the arm base, providing precise height adjustments.
- ABEC 5 bearings: Offer ultra-low friction, eliminating chatter and ensuring long-life, smooth motion in both horizontal and vertical planes.
- Locking threaded counterweight: Allows for fine adjustments while eliminating unwanted resonances.
- Internal VPI high-purity copper wire: One continuous piece from the headshell to the RCA connection, ensuring signal purity.
Specifications:
Type: 10-inch, S-shaped, statically balanced tonearm
Effective length: 255 mm
Mounting distance: 240 mm
Effective mass: 10.4 g
Overhang: 15 mm
Pickup weight: 5–15 g
Height adjustment: 40–65 mm
Anti-skating: Yes
Headshell: Solid aluminum
Offset angle: 21 degrees
Internal wiring: 69 VPI Copper wire
The modular nature of the VPI S-Tonearm Module ensures ease of servicing, adjustments, and future upgrades, making it adaptable to evolving user preferences and needs.
3-Point Floating Suspension (3D Isolation)
The Model One introduces a new 3-Point Floating Suspension system designed for superior isolation from external vibrations. This advanced 3D isolation system stabilizes the turntable, minimizes motor noise, and reduces both external and internal vibrations. Key highlights include:
- Isolated suspension using high-tech polymer, fully adjustable for leveling.
- Enhances sound quality by maintaining stability and isolating the platter and tonearm from any motor noise interference.
- Easy to replace both Motor and Platter Module and Tonearm Module.
Conclusion
The VPI Forever Series Model One represents the future of high-end turntable design. With its modular architecture, upgradeable components, and 10-year warranty, the Model One offers unmatched flexibility and longevity. Whether you are a seasoned audiophile or new to the world of vinyl, the VPI Forever Series allows you to enhance your system over time, making it a true investment for the future. Welcome to your Forever Table!
Company Website: VPI Industries
