[bside123]

This just caught my attention today. Maybe some of you already know about it, but VPI introduced yet another new turntable called the "VPI Traveler" with a by-line that advertises, "The first high-end entry level turntable made in America!"

And get this... the red, white and blue versions are available July 4. 

It just seems harder and harder to keep up. In the words of Johnny "Guitar" Watson, "... the current situation's gettin' abstract."

http://www.vpiindustries.com/table-traveler.htm

[John Casler]

As a dealer I picked up the VPI line several months ago, and will probably get a TRAVELER for myself.

I like the Made in USA thing, but it is hard to figure out which color table to go with now.

[J-Pak]

As a dealer I picked up the VPI line several months ago, and will probably get a TRAVELER for myself.

I like the Made in USA thing, but it is hard to figure out which color table to go with now.

Black in my opinion 

[Wayner]

[Ericus Rex]

$1,300 - Table + arm.  Only $500 less than Scout + JMW9.  Will it compete with the Clearaudio/Marantz?

 

[Wayner]

I like it because it's not a unipivot arm, like the other VPIs. They should offer this arm on the Scout or Scout II.

W

[BPoletti]

The cat was sorta let out of the bag a little at CES last January.  Matt mentioned on more than one occasion that there would be a new table with an arm designed in memory of his mother, Shiela. 

BTW, more changes at VPI.  They just completed a move to a larger facility.  Matt has left his teaching position to take up a full time position in the family business. 

[thunderbrick]

I thought it meant ONE table that was red, white, and blue  , not separate red, white and blue tables.

THAT's a horse of a different color!   

[kgturner]

Looks like it'll also be available in Pink and Bronze or Gold according to VPI page. It's nice that they're giving a portion of the sales to pancreatic cancer research and the Girl Scouts. If I ever have the room/money for a second system, the Traveler will be on my demo list.

Kevin T

[TheChairGuy]

$1500 with Grado Gold...VPI is gonna' sell big ole' bunches of this one with a 10" arm on it. 

Love the simple, good looks and the small-ish form factor for the money

[kbuzz3]

Im going to have a problem deciding between the new vpi and new rega......clearly this is a case where there are good things available to the consumer

[jtwrace]

Someone asks in a thread down below if the new Traveler arm is made in China or the USA, probably because of its price. I'm happy to say more families are getting health insurance, retirement benefits, and a good job because the entire Traveler turntable less the cueing device, RCA connectors, and the arm connector, are USA made.

All parts are sourced in NJ, PA, and NY by some really great machinists and assembled at VPI. There isn't anything we can't do in this country when we want to!!

HW

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=vinyl&m=1020572

[BPoletti]

Im going to have a problem deciding between the new vpi and new rega......clearly this is a case where there are good things available to the consumer

VPI.  No question about it. 

[J-Pak]

Im going to have a problem deciding between the new vpi and new rega......clearly this is a case where there are good things available to the consumer

I'd go with the Traveller. I think the new RP3 is over priced, P3s used to be a great buy back when you could get them with the fantastic RB300 for $500 or $600.

I'm also not a fan of Rega's very "hi-fi" sound of emphasizing leading attacks. The VPIs play music.

[TheChairGuy]

Living in the US, the VPI Traveler would have to get the nod over the British-made Rega.  The Rega is greatly inflated in priced to accommodate US Distributor margins - it's a fine value in the UK where it sells for 30-35% less.

So, too, outside of the US where the US-made Traveler is likely to sell for 1400 or more Sterling in the UK (about $2100 at today's rates)

The longer 10" arm of the Traveler, naturally better at tracking simply given it's greater length, would be my choice in tables even if I was a Brit looking to buy it in the UK.  Then again, the cost difference in the UK could be 2x as much there and that would sway me, too.

All said and done, both good choices and a nice future to capture more vinyl fans worldwide is in play 

[putz]

I love telling people my table (Aries 1) is made in Jersey.

I heard the Traveller at the NY audio show. It was matched up against their new Classic 4 table and there was not a whole lot of difference between the 2, as in they both sounded great. Got to chat with Harry and Matt. Good people. If I'd only won the raffle my day would have been complete.

[BPoletti]

I love telling people my table (Aries 1) is made in Jersey.

I heard the Traveller at the NY audio show. It was matched up against their new Classic 4 table and there was not a whole lot of difference between the 2, as in they both sounded great. Got to chat with Harry and Matt. Good people. If I'd only won the raffle my day would have been complete.

Just have to expect that the Traveler will be up to VPI standards even if it is an entry level "budget" table.  I can't imagine VPI coming out with a dog. 

Ares 1 is arguably the best table to come out of VPI (JMO).  I've got an Aries 1 extended with a JMW-12 that is nothing short of wonderful.

Matt is a great guy.  Had a chance to spend some time with him in Vegas at THE Show.