News

A Visit to VPI's New Showroom

Michael Fremer  |  Mar 24, 2015

On Sunday, March 22nd, VPI Industries hosted a meeting of the New Jersey Audiophile Society at its new showroom, which was formerly the home of VPI's founder Harry Weisfeld.

Some time after the passing of his wife Sheila, Harry decided to move out of the home but to keep it and turn it into a showcase for the company's products. Each rom contains a system and a number of VPI products. Weisfeld's son Mat, gave us the tour. The photo shows Harry and Mat Weisfeld with the company employees and Analogplanet.com's Michael Fremer

COMMENTS
wao62's picture
Submitted by wao62 on Tue, 2015-03-24 21:35

With all this beautiful equipment Mr. Weisfeld has produced, perhaps he could also produce an open reel player! I miss the time when 1/4 inch tape was one of the main focuses of high quality audio. I still have my Pioneer 707 in my system!

Mark UK's picture
Submitted by Mark UK on Wed, 2015-03-25 00:34

A fine company. Excellent products each close to or equal to the 'top' or most fashionable in their price range (and sometimes well above), and none of the usual 'wine taster' type BS that accompanies so many audio products (and reviews) and which puts a whole lot of people off, including myself sometimes.

Well made, simple and directly to the point products that used to be the mark of so much US technology and engineering but which has now sadly been forgotten in many areas.

The 'Classic Direct' is interesting. It demonstrates that VPL is a 'proper' company and not one of the usual overpriced 'garden shed' outfits that makes only belt drives simply because they don't have the facilities to do more complicated engineering.

So not being able to make them, they knock direct drive turntables.

On that basis, and that alone, it would be my 'unheard' choice if I was in need of a new turntable. I might even be able to persuade myself that I DO need one :)

AnalogJ's picture
Submitted by AnalogJ on Wed, 2015-03-25 07:43

Michael --

This thank you not only goes out to you to being there and showing us Harry's/Mat's showroom, but to them for opening this space up. One question -- I didn't quite get it, it was hard to hear some of the dialog -- is this open to the public?

Jay_S's picture
Submitted by Jay_S on Wed, 2015-03-25 10:35

This is a great video. Keep 'em coming. Michael, any chance of upgrading to a better microphone?

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Sun, 2015-03-29 10:01
Very difficult shooting circumstances: large crowd, loud music. Not sure any microphone would have been an improvement but I'm looking into integrating one with the GoPro if possible.
canonlon's picture
Submitted by canonlon on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:07

At about 1 min into the video the speaker make/model is mentioned but I can't hear what was said. Is it possible to let us know? Cheers

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Sun, 2015-03-29 09:59
It was hard hearing anything in the noise, even standing there, never mind recorded to GoPro. I was actually talking about the small KEF LS50 coax, not the speaker in the room.
madoco's picture
Submitted by madoco on Thu, 2015-03-26 05:11

I volunteer to be the curator at the vinyl Victorian home.

amudhen's picture
Submitted by amudhen on Fri, 2015-03-27 17:46

Still using and adoring my original VPI aires with 10 in jmv tonearm. Never have been happier with such a product. Thanks, Harry!

amudhen's picture
Submitted by amudhen on Fri, 2015-03-27 17:55

Oh, I forgot to mention by hw 16.5 record cleaner, my second one, another superb vpi product. Thanks again Harry.

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on Sat, 2015-03-28 15:21

I wonder if there is a part 2 to the video, or if it's TBA..? That skeletal design, utilizing layers of material vertically, reminds me of Clearaudio and Oracle, but it has it certainly has its own appeal.

These open houses are really fun, and a neat insight into all things VPI. They continue to be such a real, earthy company.

patd333's picture
Submitted by patd333 on Sun, 2015-03-29 07:14

Hey Michael
I have to start by saying I really enjoy your work. Read all the time, even sat in the truck to listen to you on Howard. But,the video you shot with Mat at VPI will not have Spielberg shaking in his boots.I was really looking forward to seeing the video,as I have a VPI table and have actually been planning to go to the new showroom w a friend who has been in contact with Mat.between the background noise and whatever you shot the video with moving all over the place. You could get no perspective of anything. Can't imagine that you couldn't have gotten a 5 minute private tour without Carol King echoing in the back.Hey nobody's perfect

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Sun, 2015-03-29 09:58
This was a meeting of the New Jersey Audio Society to which I was invited. Imagine had I asked everyone to shut up and/or go outside so King MF could get a private tour. I can't. It was noisy and crowded and I did the best I could. The Weisfelds told me they'd have a birthday cake for me (it was my birthday that day) so it would have been rude for me to be a "no-show". I'll try to do better next time.
M3 lover's picture
Submitted by M3 lover on Mon, 2015-03-30 15:48

I'm curious about comments made about the 16.5, but unfortunately for reasons already mentioned they were not clear. Something was said about making an improvement. Can you relay that?

Tullman's picture
Submitted by Tullman on Wed, 2015-04-08 15:37

I enjoyed the tour. Thank you for sharing this!

crimsonk's picture
Submitted by crimsonk on Fri, 2015-04-10 00:55

Looks like they dump the traveler after only 3 years??

AndersKH's picture
Submitted by AndersKH on Wed, 2015-04-22 19:12

I have a 16.5 but the particle board or MDF has puckered and expanded from moisture.
I think its at a point where its no longer useable.
Any ideas of what I can do with it ?

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