TONEAudio Magazine
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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11838" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/vpi-traveler-turntable/attachment/1-71/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11838" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/186.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="329" /></a>My analog journey has encountered numerous VPI turntables through the years, and they have always provided satisfying sounds and steadfast mechanical reliability, beginning with the HW-19, now out of production.* The company’s current Classic-series turntables are enjoying rave reviews around the world—our publisher is certainly enjoying his.* After I spent some time with the Traveler at this year’s Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (RMAF), it became clear that VPI has not merely created an entry-level table with a VPI badge; the Cliffwood, N.J.–based manufacturer has built a reasonably priced table with the same solid engineering and build quality that goes into the rest of its lineup.</strong></p>
<p>With the resurgence of vinyl underway, there are more and more turntables being offered in the entry-level arena.* But to be honest, I have not been that impressed with many of the sub-$1,500 offerings.* Maybe it’s just the audio dinosaur in me, but many of them seem a bit spindly.* Sure, I’ve gotten them to make nice music, but I always seem to find myself left with an incomplete feeling telling me all is not right in Recordsville.</p>
<p>The VPI Traveler hits a different chord at this price point.* Unpacking its heavy shipping container tells you there’s more than a toy packed within.* And packed well it is.* I can’t foresee even the most ham-fisted shipper damaging the Traveler during shipping.</p>
<p>Parts unpackaged, the assembly process goes off without a hitch. *Those experienced with turntable setup will find Traveler’s setup a breeze. *In less than forty-five minutes, this turntable was making great sound in my listening room, with no need to tweak things further.* Beginners will find the instruction manual clear and detailed.* A little focus and Jedi patience will have you spinning your favorite LPs in no time.</p>
<p><strong>High Points</strong></p>
<p>This table’s level of fit and finish is of a very high order.* Machined-metal parts are smooth and polished, the paint on the plinth’s top plate is high grade and the platter feels like it’s machined from billet.* In fact, it’s made from aluminum damped by stainless steel, a great way to break up any resonances that may occur. *Spinning the platter reveals a high-quality spindle-to-bearing interface, indicating top-notch machine work. *It seems to continue spinning forever when you shut the power off. *The non-removable platter mat is made of neoprene rubber and provides additional damping.</p>
<p>This philosophy continues with the plinth, which is an aluminum top plate bonded to a thick acrylic base—impressive compared to the usual machined MDF or plastic that is typically used for plinths in this price category.* A set of rubber tipped cones allow for leveling the Traveler.* Combined with the solid plinth is a 10-inch tonearm instead of the ubiquitous 9-incher on most other tables, which gives the Traveler a leg up by minimizing tracking angle distortion.</p>
<p>The next thing one notices is the Traveler’s gimbaled design, a departure from the VPI norm, as the company usually makes unipivot tonearms. *However, VPI claims that the Traveler’s friction levels are nearly as low as the brand’s more expensive unipivot designs. *The Traveler’s arm moves smoothly and freely in both the lateral and vertical directions. *The counterweight and tracking-force adjustment is another finely machined affair and easy to operate during setup. *The tonearm is equipped with a VTA on-the-fly adjustment that works beautifully and without fuss. *Finally, the signal goes from the arm through a proprietary connector feeding a pair of RCA jacks fitted to the rear of the plinth.</p>
<p>VPI does not supply a dedicated tonearm cable with the Traveler, so users are free to experiment with cabling options between the turntable and phonostage. *I advise caution here, because the wrong type of cable can seriously compromise the sonic results. *If possible, try one of the current tonearm cables on the market available with RCA jacks on both ends; these cables usually make an extra effort to minimize cable capacitance, resulting in better transference of the delicate phono signal.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11839" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/vpi-traveler-turntable/attachment/2-69/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11839" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/281.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="393" /></a>Taking Care of Business</strong></p>
<p>Sticking with the winning formula in <em>TONEAudio</em>’s RMAF room, listening began with the $599 Ortofon Rondo Red low-output MC cartridge, which brings the combination of turntable and cartridge to $1,900—not exactly spare beer money, but a fine investment nevertheless. *I tried two different interconnect cables with excellent results: the AudioQuest King Cobra ($249/pair) and, for the more budget-minded, the KAB Jazz ($33/pair). *In the end, I preferred the AQ cable on most material, but the KAB is a well-made product, providing great shielding from RF and decent audio performance.</p>
<p>First up was Stravinsky’s <em>The Firebird</em> (Mercury Living Presence, London Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati conducting).* The Traveler/Rondo Red combination provides a convincing sense of hall ambiance, while simultaneously placing the sections of the orchestra firmly in place.* Once the music reaches full gallop, the Traveler delivers the music’s swell and crescendo with the requisite delicacy and impact, with the woodwinds sounding exceptionally natural.</p>
<p>Next up, in a more delicate vein, is Trio Galanterie’s <em>Eighteenth-Century Music For Lute and Strings</em> on AudioQuest records.* The Traveler captures the interplay of the cello, lute and violin on this recording with complete intimacy, like a concert for one. *The Traveler presents the fundamentals and overtones in a harmonically rich fashion, with strummed, plucked and bowed instruments—not an easy task, but one that is performed exceptionally well here.</p>
<p>Changing genres, the latest Charlie Hunter recording, <em>Not Getting Behind Is The New Getting Ahead</em>, is a self-released limited-edition album featuring Hunter on seven-string guitar and Scott Amendola on drums.* This live-in-the-studio outing will challenge any arm-cartridge combination with its dynamic close-miked drum sound, biting guitar and punchy, resonant bass.* Again, the Traveler/Rondo combination turns in an ace performance.</p>
<p>Ralph Towner’s “Piscean Dance,” from his <em>Solstice </em>album, is another studio jam/duel possessing great dynamic swings. *The crystalline but completely natural sound of cymbals and snare drum, while Towner’s signature twelve-string guitar weaves in and out of Christensen’s rhythmic patterns, underlines how well this modestly priced table handles complex music without losing its soul.</p>
<p>Both Eric Bibb’s <em>Friends</em> and John Mayall’s <em>The Turning Point</em> underscore the Traveler’s ability to combine bass weight with fundamental midrange body and tonality.* The Traveler’s rock-solid pace gives a sense of presence rarely accomplished by an analog front end at this price.</p>
<p><strong>Past Meets Present </strong></p>
<p>Fully impressed with the Traveler so far, I decide it’s time to try something off the beaten path. *A NOS Acutex 412 STR cartridge would put any tonearm to task, as this high-compliance cartridge usually works best with ultra-low-mass tonearms.</p>
<p>Set to 1.5 grams, the combination sailed through the most-difficult passages at my disposal, proving what great all-around performance the Traveler offers: *It should be just right for most MM or MC cartridges.</p>
<p><strong>So Take a Trip to Your VPI Dealer!</strong></p>
<p>Combining robust construction, a high level of fit and finish and an excellent sonic presentation, the VPI Traveler establishes a new benchmark for its price. *VPI left no stone unturned, from getting the basic record-playing ability right to employing clever engineering. *And you can order it in a variety of colors (for an extra hundred bucks).* Whether you are just getting into the world of vinyl, adding a second turntable to the stable or are replacing a turntable that has left you wondering if there’s more to be had for your money, I highly recommend the Traveler.* Have a few less lattes per month, or perhaps even skimp on record purchases for a few months, to make the very reasonable leap for this remarkable table.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11840" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/vpi-traveler-turntable/attachment/olympus-digital-camera-196/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11840" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/370.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="482" /></a>Additional Listening</strong></p>
<p>By Jeff Dorgay</p>
<p>I was equally curious to see how much of the essence of VPI’s more-expensive Classic One could be incorporated into the Traveler.* The Classic One is a linear step up in the VPI range and its roots are readily apparent.* The Traveler resembles the Classic much more so than it does the Scout/Scoutmaster series.* Using both tables side by side through the Audio Research REF Phono 2 SE, with matching Dynavector DV-20X2L cartridges ($850), the main differences between the two are in bass weight and low-level detail retrieval.</p>
<p>Listening to the biting guitars on the anniversary remaster of the Smashing Pumpkins’ <em>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</em> reveals more punch from the Classic, but the Traveler is no slouch for the price.* Comparing the Traveler to my late-1980s LP12 is like getting out of a Triumph TR6 and getting into a Porsche Boxster: *Everything feels much crisper and more defined overall.</p>
<p>The overall tonality of the Traveler is remarkably similar to the Classic, and when not playing records with ultra-wide dynamic swings, one might be easily fooled. *The DV-20X2L is an excellent match for this table, for those looking to take their analog experience a step further.* I had equally good results with the Sumiko Blackbird high-output MC, another favorite of mine in the $800-to-$1,200 range, proving that this table is not embarrassed in the least by a cartridge costing almost as much as the table.* This level of performance makes the Traveler an excellent <em>long-term </em>turntable choice.</p>
<p>We not only recommend the Traveler highly, we have purchased the review sample.* It will become a reference component in gear editor Bailey Barnard’s new system, so we can indoctrinate him in the ways of the LP. *<em>-Jerold O’Brien</em></p>
<p><strong>The VPI Traveler Turntable</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $1,299</p>
<p><a href="http://www.vpiindustries.com/">www.vpiindustries.com</a></p>
<p><strong>Peripherals</strong></p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody><tr><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>Coffman Labs G1-A </td>
</tr><tr><td>Power Amplifier</td>
<td>Pass Labs Aleph 3</td>
</tr><tr><td>Speakers</td>
<td>Harbeth Monitor 40.1</td>
</tr><tr><td>Cable*</td>
<td>Audience Au24</td>
</tr><tr><td>Power</td>
<td>Audience</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/vpi-traveler-turntable/]
<p>With the resurgence of vinyl underway, there are more and more turntables being offered in the entry-level arena.* But to be honest, I have not been that impressed with many of the sub-$1,500 offerings.* Maybe it’s just the audio dinosaur in me, but many of them seem a bit spindly.* Sure, I’ve gotten them to make nice music, but I always seem to find myself left with an incomplete feeling telling me all is not right in Recordsville.</p>
<p>The VPI Traveler hits a different chord at this price point.* Unpacking its heavy shipping container tells you there’s more than a toy packed within.* And packed well it is.* I can’t foresee even the most ham-fisted shipper damaging the Traveler during shipping.</p>
<p>Parts unpackaged, the assembly process goes off without a hitch. *Those experienced with turntable setup will find Traveler’s setup a breeze. *In less than forty-five minutes, this turntable was making great sound in my listening room, with no need to tweak things further.* Beginners will find the instruction manual clear and detailed.* A little focus and Jedi patience will have you spinning your favorite LPs in no time.</p>
<p><strong>High Points</strong></p>
<p>This table’s level of fit and finish is of a very high order.* Machined-metal parts are smooth and polished, the paint on the plinth’s top plate is high grade and the platter feels like it’s machined from billet.* In fact, it’s made from aluminum damped by stainless steel, a great way to break up any resonances that may occur. *Spinning the platter reveals a high-quality spindle-to-bearing interface, indicating top-notch machine work. *It seems to continue spinning forever when you shut the power off. *The non-removable platter mat is made of neoprene rubber and provides additional damping.</p>
<p>This philosophy continues with the plinth, which is an aluminum top plate bonded to a thick acrylic base—impressive compared to the usual machined MDF or plastic that is typically used for plinths in this price category.* A set of rubber tipped cones allow for leveling the Traveler.* Combined with the solid plinth is a 10-inch tonearm instead of the ubiquitous 9-incher on most other tables, which gives the Traveler a leg up by minimizing tracking angle distortion.</p>
<p>The next thing one notices is the Traveler’s gimbaled design, a departure from the VPI norm, as the company usually makes unipivot tonearms. *However, VPI claims that the Traveler’s friction levels are nearly as low as the brand’s more expensive unipivot designs. *The Traveler’s arm moves smoothly and freely in both the lateral and vertical directions. *The counterweight and tracking-force adjustment is another finely machined affair and easy to operate during setup. *The tonearm is equipped with a VTA on-the-fly adjustment that works beautifully and without fuss. *Finally, the signal goes from the arm through a proprietary connector feeding a pair of RCA jacks fitted to the rear of the plinth.</p>
<p>VPI does not supply a dedicated tonearm cable with the Traveler, so users are free to experiment with cabling options between the turntable and phonostage. *I advise caution here, because the wrong type of cable can seriously compromise the sonic results. *If possible, try one of the current tonearm cables on the market available with RCA jacks on both ends; these cables usually make an extra effort to minimize cable capacitance, resulting in better transference of the delicate phono signal.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11839" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/vpi-traveler-turntable/attachment/2-69/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11839" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/281.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="393" /></a>Taking Care of Business</strong></p>
<p>Sticking with the winning formula in <em>TONEAudio</em>’s RMAF room, listening began with the $599 Ortofon Rondo Red low-output MC cartridge, which brings the combination of turntable and cartridge to $1,900—not exactly spare beer money, but a fine investment nevertheless. *I tried two different interconnect cables with excellent results: the AudioQuest King Cobra ($249/pair) and, for the more budget-minded, the KAB Jazz ($33/pair). *In the end, I preferred the AQ cable on most material, but the KAB is a well-made product, providing great shielding from RF and decent audio performance.</p>
<p>First up was Stravinsky’s <em>The Firebird</em> (Mercury Living Presence, London Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati conducting).* The Traveler/Rondo Red combination provides a convincing sense of hall ambiance, while simultaneously placing the sections of the orchestra firmly in place.* Once the music reaches full gallop, the Traveler delivers the music’s swell and crescendo with the requisite delicacy and impact, with the woodwinds sounding exceptionally natural.</p>
<p>Next up, in a more delicate vein, is Trio Galanterie’s <em>Eighteenth-Century Music For Lute and Strings</em> on AudioQuest records.* The Traveler captures the interplay of the cello, lute and violin on this recording with complete intimacy, like a concert for one. *The Traveler presents the fundamentals and overtones in a harmonically rich fashion, with strummed, plucked and bowed instruments—not an easy task, but one that is performed exceptionally well here.</p>
<p>Changing genres, the latest Charlie Hunter recording, <em>Not Getting Behind Is The New Getting Ahead</em>, is a self-released limited-edition album featuring Hunter on seven-string guitar and Scott Amendola on drums.* This live-in-the-studio outing will challenge any arm-cartridge combination with its dynamic close-miked drum sound, biting guitar and punchy, resonant bass.* Again, the Traveler/Rondo combination turns in an ace performance.</p>
<p>Ralph Towner’s “Piscean Dance,” from his <em>Solstice </em>album, is another studio jam/duel possessing great dynamic swings. *The crystalline but completely natural sound of cymbals and snare drum, while Towner’s signature twelve-string guitar weaves in and out of Christensen’s rhythmic patterns, underlines how well this modestly priced table handles complex music without losing its soul.</p>
<p>Both Eric Bibb’s <em>Friends</em> and John Mayall’s <em>The Turning Point</em> underscore the Traveler’s ability to combine bass weight with fundamental midrange body and tonality.* The Traveler’s rock-solid pace gives a sense of presence rarely accomplished by an analog front end at this price.</p>
<p><strong>Past Meets Present </strong></p>
<p>Fully impressed with the Traveler so far, I decide it’s time to try something off the beaten path. *A NOS Acutex 412 STR cartridge would put any tonearm to task, as this high-compliance cartridge usually works best with ultra-low-mass tonearms.</p>
<p>Set to 1.5 grams, the combination sailed through the most-difficult passages at my disposal, proving what great all-around performance the Traveler offers: *It should be just right for most MM or MC cartridges.</p>
<p><strong>So Take a Trip to Your VPI Dealer!</strong></p>
<p>Combining robust construction, a high level of fit and finish and an excellent sonic presentation, the VPI Traveler establishes a new benchmark for its price. *VPI left no stone unturned, from getting the basic record-playing ability right to employing clever engineering. *And you can order it in a variety of colors (for an extra hundred bucks).* Whether you are just getting into the world of vinyl, adding a second turntable to the stable or are replacing a turntable that has left you wondering if there’s more to be had for your money, I highly recommend the Traveler.* Have a few less lattes per month, or perhaps even skimp on record purchases for a few months, to make the very reasonable leap for this remarkable table.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11840" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/vpi-traveler-turntable/attachment/olympus-digital-camera-196/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11840" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/370.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="482" /></a>Additional Listening</strong></p>
<p>By Jeff Dorgay</p>
<p>I was equally curious to see how much of the essence of VPI’s more-expensive Classic One could be incorporated into the Traveler.* The Classic One is a linear step up in the VPI range and its roots are readily apparent.* The Traveler resembles the Classic much more so than it does the Scout/Scoutmaster series.* Using both tables side by side through the Audio Research REF Phono 2 SE, with matching Dynavector DV-20X2L cartridges ($850), the main differences between the two are in bass weight and low-level detail retrieval.</p>
<p>Listening to the biting guitars on the anniversary remaster of the Smashing Pumpkins’ <em>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</em> reveals more punch from the Classic, but the Traveler is no slouch for the price.* Comparing the Traveler to my late-1980s LP12 is like getting out of a Triumph TR6 and getting into a Porsche Boxster: *Everything feels much crisper and more defined overall.</p>
<p>The overall tonality of the Traveler is remarkably similar to the Classic, and when not playing records with ultra-wide dynamic swings, one might be easily fooled. *The DV-20X2L is an excellent match for this table, for those looking to take their analog experience a step further.* I had equally good results with the Sumiko Blackbird high-output MC, another favorite of mine in the $800-to-$1,200 range, proving that this table is not embarrassed in the least by a cartridge costing almost as much as the table.* This level of performance makes the Traveler an excellent <em>long-term </em>turntable choice.</p>
<p>We not only recommend the Traveler highly, we have purchased the review sample.* It will become a reference component in gear editor Bailey Barnard’s new system, so we can indoctrinate him in the ways of the LP. *<em>-Jerold O’Brien</em></p>
<p><strong>The VPI Traveler Turntable</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $1,299</p>
<p><a href="http://www.vpiindustries.com/">www.vpiindustries.com</a></p>
<p><strong>Peripherals</strong></p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody><tr><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>Coffman Labs G1-A </td>
</tr><tr><td>Power Amplifier</td>
<td>Pass Labs Aleph 3</td>
</tr><tr><td>Speakers</td>
<td>Harbeth Monitor 40.1</td>
</tr><tr><td>Cable*</td>
<td>Audience Au24</td>
</tr><tr><td>Power</td>
<td>Audience</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/vpi-traveler-turntable/]