One of the Best Sounding VPI 'Tables Yet
The new Classic 2 version of VPI's legendary Classic Turntable retains the qualities that made the original version a true-to-its-name classic. And it only gets better from there. The completely new design results in the simplest and one of the best sounding VPI turntables to date.
The Classic 2 comes standard with the unipivot JMW-Classic 1 Special Edition tonearm in rigid mount mode. And it adds a new cast aluminum platter with silent inverted bearing for upgraded performance.
The Classic 2 uses new VPI pure copper wire, a solid plinth with black oak or walnut finish (at no additional cost), a solid mounted AC synchronous motor, and new isolator feet derived from the HR-X.
The sound of the Classic 2 is fast, clean, and wide open with deep powerful bass, and unequalled in speed stability. It gives any turntable made a serious run for the money, regardless of price.
"Eerily Quiet"
"It's an eerily quiet turntable so records appear to have significantly lower surface noise, even compared to exotic turntables that sell for double or even triple the Classic's price. If you never heard a high-end turntable before you'll be amazed by the difference," reports Steve Guttenberg on the Classic 1 in Home Entertainment magazine for October 21, 2009
"The Classic isn't just about scale and power. Play something delicate like Janis Ian and the musical coherence and intimacy are underpinned by the easy musical flow, the levels of low-level instrumental resolution and detail," notes Roy Gregory in his HiFi+ magazine review of the Classic 1 for October 23, 2009.
Classic Tonearm
Born from the JMW-10.5i tonearm, the JMW-10.5i SE 'Classic' tonearm was stretched to fit the Classic chassis, simplified to save on cost, and boiled down to the important basics that make for good engineering and good sound. It performs so well that HiFi+ magazine awarded the original Classic 1 package with Classic tonearm top honors as "Turntable of the Year."
The JMW-10.5i SE arm is a full 10.5" long for very low tracking error, solidly mounted to the Classic 2 base, VTA adjustable 'on the fly' with a ship captain's wheel adjuster, and RCA jacks that accept the interconnect of your choice. The arm is fast, clean, stable, very low in distortion, and dynamic like a master tape. When combined with a cartridge of 7-11 grams and a compliance of 11-16, you will be startled by the dynamic range a low level resolution this arm can reproduce.
For those who require the fine adjustment of the anti-skate mechanism, it comes standard on the JMW-10.5i SE.
The Ultimate in Low-level Resolution
VPI carefully designed the Classic 2 to deliver the ultimate in low-level resolution. Speed stability of the Classic 2 is on a par with the original master tape. Due to the rigid mounting of the motor, platter, and tonearm, random motion is eliminated that might otherwise cause speed instabilities.
Rock-solid One-piece, Non-resonant Chassis
An absolutely solid, meticulously-laminated one-piece chassis holds all of the turntable components for rock-solid operation. And VPI didn't saddle this gem of a Classic with an inexpensive wooden frame. Instead, the company relies on a solid laminated 2.5"-thick MDF block featuring 11-gauge steel attached to the top with silicone. Long bolts through all the layers provide additional stability. The chassis weighs 30 pounds and is totally non-resonant.
Superior noise rejection allows the Classic 2 to sit on a wood shelf near four 15" subwoofers while experiencing virtually no feedback. | 
