VPI

Once again, one of our dedicated high-end manufacturers has introduced a new, very affordable product to make high end performance available to more people. VPI calls their new Traveler turntable the only entry level high end turntable that is made in America. It sells for $1300 in black and slightly more in red, white, or blue. It is also available with a pre-mounted Grado Gold cartridge for $1500.

Features of the Traveler include:

• A 10-inch gimbaled tonearm
   
• Low friction spring loaded sapphire gimbaled bearings with friction levels almost as low as their unipivot tonearms
   
• An aluminum platter damped with stainless steel
   
• A composite chassis comprised of aluminum and acrylic
   
• A belt drive, 600 RPM low-noise, synchronous motor
   
• RCA jack connections that let you select your favorite interconnect cables
   
• Cone feet for superior vibration isolation
   
• Removable arm assemblies for fast cartridge changes
   

The Traveler also has very impressive specifications, such as wow and flutter of less than 0.02%, rumble that is greater than 80dB down, speed accuracy within 0.1%, and platter flatness that is within 0.003 inch. These are the kind of specs you'd normally expect to find on much more costly turntables.

To give you an idea how much the world wants a turntable like this at this low a price, VPI's initial run of 200 units was sold out before the run was even complete! So, if you've been waiting for this level of performance at a price you could afford, you may want to get in line for your Traveler now.