VPI Classic 3 Turntable /10" Fatboy Tonearm and Kiseki Purple Heart

Description

About this product:
VPI Classic 3 Turntable Provides Incredibly Low Noise Floor, Extreme Low-End Control, Reference-Grade Speed Stability and Definition
A significant step forward in performance and aesthetics, the
VPI Classic 3 turntable
takes to grand sonic heights of the state-of-the-art analog design elements that guides
VPI
's world-famous
Classic
series.
Classic 3
features a
half-inch thick aluminum plinth
that is so massive and well-damped, it virtually eliminates resonance.
"The Classic 3 is the fastest, most coherent-sounding VPI turntable I've ever heard. Most significant, the Classic 3 played on the same field as the Continuum Caliburn (9,995) and it costs ,000…one of today’s great values in analog audio."
– Michael Fremer,
Stereophile
“The VPI Classic 3 is an exceptional effort by a company that knows the analog landscape like few others. With each spin it invites you to become reacquainted with every record in your collection. A class-leading product by any yardstick, and, simply put, a class act!”
– Neil Gader,
The Absolute Sound
The sound of
Classic 3
is big, powerful, airy and shockingly quick. With a gorgeous tonal balance and deep powerful bass,
Classic 3 stands head and shoulders above most turntable designs, no matter the price.
Thanks to
VPI's
efforts to eliminate vibration and resonance,
Classic 3
throws a cavernous soundstage with pinpoint image specificity and delivers a shocking level of resolution. This turntable should be on every serious analog lover's short list.
“The VPI Classic 3 has gotten some of the best and most deserved buzz for neutral, highly musical sound quality of any turntable and cartridge combination... One more indication that the best analog front-ends can still compete with even the highest quality digital sources.”
– Anthony Cordesman,
The Absolute Sound
, Golden Ear Award
“This new version of VPI’s best-selling Classic 1 is twice as expensive and it’s worth it. Why? Because it is better…the new version sounds more stable, as if the speed control has been enhanced. The net effect of these changes is there is less detectable turntable between you and the music. The LPs seem to float on a cushion of air. It is a work of art, Harry Weisfeld’s best. Amen! Five Stars!”
– Harry Pearson, Founder of
The Absolute Sound
, five-star review
“The Classic, in my opinion, exceeds the performance of [VPI’s] ScoutMaster series and breaks new sonic ground… at a breathtakingly low price. I think this is Weisfeld’s best sounding design. If ever there were a best buy in ‘tables, this is it!”
–
Harry Pearson,
The Absolute Sound,
Golden Ear Award Issue
Reference Engineering and Precision: U.S.A.-Made VPI Fatboy (10" Version) Tonearm Armwand Delivers Dramatic Dynamics, Bass, Responsiveness, and Punch
The
VPI Fatboy tonearm armwand (10" version)
sets new reference-class standards for rigidity, engineering, adjustments, and precision. Featuring a 3D-printed armature with a triangular-to-circular resonance-canceling taper as well as
Nordost Reference wiring
throughout, Fatboy
delivers the most dramatic improvements of any available VPI upgrade
. With Fatboy on your VPI ‘ table, you'll hear a lavish midrange, seemingly limitless high-frequency extension, ultra-taut bass, and concert-like dynamics. It also allows you easy fine-tunability via a micrometer-style adjustable counterweight.
When a small quantity of
Kiseki Purple Heart N.S. cartridges
arrived in the U.S. very few people were told about it. After all, they are very limited in their numbers, owing to the Kiseki way of building cartridges. No sample to sample variation in sound. Every one must be perfect.
Somehow, the word got around. The Purple Heart has been the number one, all-time favorite of Jim Hannon, the publisher and chief at
The Absolute Sound
magazine. He had worn his out years ago, and tried to have it re-tipped twice by some of the best the the industry, but could not re-create the magic. When he heard he could get a new Purple Heart, he said "I want one" and didn’t even ask what the price was. At the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, he confirmed that not only was the magic back, but that the new improved Purple Heart NS was even better, saying "A lot of cartridges do great 2D, the Kiseki Purple Heart is 3D."
"I am so taken with this cartridge that I'm already saving for another Kiseki Purple Heart as a backup. I can't be without this miracle cartridge ever again."
– Jim Hannon,
The Absolute Sound
"[The] Purpleheart N.S. produced a rich, inviting harmonic structure right out of the box ...Broken in and tracking at 2.5gm, the Purpleheart tracked most everything I threw at it."
– Michael Fremer,
Stereophile
, Class A Recommended Component
SKU:
UTRA1517341B
Warranty:
This unit comes with a 45 day Music Direct warranty.
What's Included:
Power cord, record clamp, tonearm w/counterweight, alignment jig, headshell lift, drive belt, dust cover, Platter &mat, azimuth rod and mounting hardware (added), manual, and complete factory packing.
Notes:
8/10 condition, with no noticeable signs of damage or abuse.  All functions tested, and this turntable is a sonic jaw-dropper.  Comes with upgraded VPI 10" Fatboy tonearm, and Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge with less than 150 hours.
Shipping Policy:
If you require shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, please contact us first before making an offer.
Tax Information:
Music Direct collects applicable sales tax on items shipping to the following states:  IL*, NV*, TN*, CO*, NY, CA, WI, NJ, IN, MI, CT, NC, MD, WA, MN, GA, IA, MA, TX, KY, PA, LA, SC, AZ, KS, OH, VA When required, Music Direct will also collect sales tax in other states. In other states where we don't currently collect sales tax, it may be the customer's responsibility to assure that all appropriate state use taxes are paid. * denotes states in which Music Direct has a physical nexus and is required to collect based on the nexus presence and location, these tax rates are not based on recipient/destination location of the customer within these states. For more information please see the following: South Dakota Vs. Wayfair