Visit Analog Planet to view video's of VPI visit (nt)

You should look at the video Fremer shot, which is up on his Analogplanet site. Just one factoid should convince even the most hard-core hater out there that you've been wrong about HW: the motor upgrade included in the current version of the Traveler. On what is VPI's lowest-cost TT, he's incorporated a simplified SDS (essentially a 60hz generator) in the motor to ensure accurate speed. Need more convincing? How about the Traveler's arm upgrade, also discussed in Fremer's video?

No, VPI isn't perfect (I don't know of a manufacturer that is). But I don't know of a firm that caters to our interest in vinyl that is as responsive to its customers, as consistently innovative, and as committed to "made in the USA" as VPI.

I've watched the first two., posted on November 1, 2013 at 14:44:57

volunteer
Audiophile

Posts: 5666
Location: Louisville, KY
Joined: January 7, 2012

I wish he had miked Harry but still found them informative and entertaining.

Seeing all the changes, improvements, in the Traveler made we want to spit on my original model....not really. :-)

-Wendell

RE: Attn: all you VPI haters out there..., posted on November 1, 2013 at 15:30:37

John Elison
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Posts: 24045
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
Since: January 29, 2004

I have never understood why people don't provide links when they want you to look at something.

With respect to speed accuracy, Fremer claimed his Continuum had accurate speed yet the Traveler ran one-half percent faster in recent needle drops posted by Fremer on the Analog Planet. Furthermore, Texanater claimed his Traveler runs one-half percent faster than his Technics SL-1200, which is quartz locked. I timed my Technics SL-1200 and found it to be accurate to within 0.0008%.

Give me a link and I'll look at the video.

Best regards,
John Elison

They are at analogplanet.com (NT), posted on November 1, 2013 at 15:46:15
volunteer Audiophile Posts: 5666 Location: Louisville, KY Joined: January 7, 2012	NT -Wendell

You are correct: VPI is making steady and worthwhile improvements, posted on November 1, 2013 at 16:02:58

violinist3
Audiophile

Posts: 2978
Location: San Diego California
Joined: August 7, 2003

but I'd like to see a new 'palete'. They keep improving their 'house' sound which although is good but I'd like to see them venture into rubber suspended Linn LP12 teritory (or Roksan etc).

I used to have a Scout/10X5 and it was very good. Lovely sound.

So actually this isn't a complaint but some vision into the future for VPI. Of course some people may not like that 'Brit' sound. Cant please everybody.

you're helping me make my point..., posted on November 1, 2013 at 16:54:08

teenage diplomat
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Posts: 906
Location: burke, va usa
Joined: February 3, 2001

I can't speak to Texanator's test, but I do know that Fremer tested the original edition of the Traveler. Seems to me that HW took the speed criticism to heart and made the necessary modification (the 60 hz generator). What more are we supposed to ask of a manufacturer? I'd contrast VPI's behavior with that of Rega, which steadfastly denies reality by marketing TTs that invariably run quite audibly fast. Even Rega's latest and greatest, according to Fremer, is fast.

RE: you're helping me make my point..., posted on November 1, 2013 at 17:23:34

John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 24045
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
Since: January 29, 2004

I don't think a 60-Hz generator is going to correct the speed problem. Unless you live somewhere other than the United States, we already have 60-Hz line frequency that is very accurate and very stable. Unless VPI addresses some other aspect such as pulley diameter or belt elasticity, the motor will run at the same speed with a 60-Hz SDS as it runs on the line frequency.

Regardless of what people generally believe, our line frequency is maintained to very high accuracy. According to the link below, line frequency will fluctuate no more than about ±0.08% and that's a worst-case situation. It's frequency error is usually no more than ±0.04%.

Best regards,
John Elison

Line Freqnency Accuracy

RE: Back To The Future?, posted on November 1, 2013 at 18:35:44
amioutaline?	VPI was making spring-suspended tables, just like AR, Linn, Ariston and others, only better, way back in the late Seventies. Times change. Even a rabid HW-19 Fan like myself has installed the new quite rigid dampers in place of the HW-19 springs.

RE: They are at analogplanet.com (NT), posted on November 1, 2013 at 22:42:49
John Elison Audiophile Posts: 24045 Location: Central Kentucky Joined: December 20, 2000 Contributor Since: January 29, 2004	Hi Wendell, I watched the videos and I learned a lot. I learned that your Traveler has the same 23-dollar motor that they use in many of their more expensive turntables costing as much as 6500-dollars. Of course, the new Traveler has a special SDS circuit whereas their 6500-dollar turntable does not. Best regards, John Elison

RE: They are at analogplanet.com (NT), posted on November 1, 2013 at 23:44:07

HW
Manufacturer

Posts: 515
Joined: March 16, 2002

John, you really blew it this time!!

The Traveler has a different motor setup than the Classic, Scout, Aries, HR-X, DD, do I continue!

I think you watched the video with a veil of red across your eyes due to the fact that at some point in your life I ran over your dog!!

The Classic 3 in rosewood ($6500) uses a 300 RPM motor twice the size and power of the Traveler mounted in a 25 pound machined aluminum top that cost more than the Traveler to make!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is it John, will you only be happy when VPI goes under, closes its doors for good, and roughly 30 families loose there incomes!!

My last post, F*** you all.

RE: They are at analogplanet.com (NT), posted on November 2, 2013 at 00:03:59
John Elison Audiophile Posts: 24045 Location: Central Kentucky Joined: December 20, 2000 Contributor Since: January 29, 2004	Nice try Harry! I already watched the video, though -- twice. I was only repeating words that came out of your mouth. The video was posted by Michael Fremer -- not by me. Perhaps you should use a script next time. Good luck, John Elison

RE: They are at analogplanet.com (NT), posted on November 2, 2013 at 05:42:05
Clarke Greene Audiophile Posts: 432 Joined: October 11, 2000	I watched the same video. I understood his comment to mean that some $6500 turntable out there uses the very same motor as his much lower priced Traveler does.

" My last post, F* you all.", posted on November 2, 2013 at 07:39:21**
volunteer Audiophile Posts: 5666 Location: Louisville, KY Joined: January 7, 2012	Harry, I hope not. You add much to this forum. -Wendell

Great Video: Thank You VPI, posted on November 2, 2013 at 07:49:10

ydavid
Audiophile

Posts: 194
Joined: December 14, 2005

I watched this video with interest because I wanted to understand why my VPI traveler v1 sounds o much better to me than any turntable I've owned or listened to before. It appears that they have spared no cost to get things right, still managed to keep the table affordable and use a motor powerful enough to spin two massive classic platters. In a world that has forgotten about good sound, where record companies are becoming endangered species, we should hope that there would be more companies like VPI.

John, your record keeps skipping in the same spot, posted on November 2, 2013 at 08:13:01

steal2B
Audiophile

Posts: 245
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Joined: October 8, 2004

It is apparent that you are dealing with high levels of first order cognitive distortion and a cacophonic waveform destroying any harmonic fidelity from your audio output whenever there is a VPI signal entering your inputs. Might I suggest that you consider having your cantilever realigned and then having your stylus cleaned and lubricated. If that doesn’t fix the problem maybe your stylus is just worn out and you need to rebalance your rig. I'm pretty sure that if you just lowered your tracking force, your records would not wear out so quickly.

+1 . . . I e-mailed him. /nt\, posted on November 2, 2013 at 09:56:59
Opus 104

" I was only repeating words that came out of your mouth.", posted on November 2, 2013 at 10:11:05
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 40768 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	And reading something unsaid into his words. At the expense of confusing the issue with facts, "there are" other brands of gear "here" in the plant to which he referenced using the $23 motor.

Don't mind John, posted on November 2, 2013 at 10:19:23
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 40768 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	Not all of us are white sock with sandals techie geeks who have difficulty understanding the language and worship specifications. :)

RE: +1 . . . I e-mailed him. /nt\, posted on November 2, 2013 at 10:22:51
abs1	So did I. Cheers, Al

Me too. nt, posted on November 2, 2013 at 11:51:35
Rick W	nt

So did I. NT, posted on November 2, 2013 at 12:15:42
volunteer Audiophile Posts: 5666 Location: Louisville, KY Joined: January 7, 2012	NT -Wendell

RE: Attn: all you VPI haters out there..., posted on November 2, 2013 at 13:09:18
SgreenP@MSN.com Audiophile Posts: 3560 Joined: April 23, 2007	Regarding the Traveler fast paced operation.....Harry now has installed an addition which is a less expensive, but effective SDS-likecircuit. It can't be adjusted, but is now very accurate.

Watched the video. Good to see that HW looks healthy. (nt), posted on November 2, 2013 at 14:40:44
kuma Audiophile Posts: 10413 Location: IN Joined: July 8, 2001	.

RE: You are correct: VPI is making steady and worthwhile improvements, posted on November 4, 2013 at 08:52:22
Lew Audiophile Posts: 11011 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Joined: December 11, 2000	You probably should buy a Linn LP12, if that is your idea of a more perfect approach. Why expect VPI to change their ways?

Vinyl Asylum

Visit Analog Planet to view video's of VPI visit (nt)

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