VPI Industries VPI Forever - Model One

The Model One is described as vibrant and full-bodied in the bass, texturally supple through the midrange, and cleanly articulate in high-frequency attacks and decay. Fremer calls its presentation convincing, rhythmically compelling and fully satisfying, characterizing it as rich and full rather than lean.

Fremer reports outstanding speed accuracy and consistency in standard form. The low-center-of-gravity platter and bearing arrangement, together with a suspension that avoids lateral spring movement, are said to prevent pulley-to-platter distance changes; an optional ADS controller can add electronic speed switching and further consistency.

The supplied 255mm gimbal-bearing arm offers generous height adjustment, anti-skate and headshell azimuth adjustment, with low-friction ABEC-5 bearings and high-purity copper internal wiring. Fremer found its operation secure and reports that it gave the tested Audio-Technica cartridges excellent tracking performance.

The Sorbothane-isolated floating subchassis keeps the platter and armboard together while separating them from the oak frame. In Fremer's demonstrations, striking the chassis and even the supporting platform produced no audible feedback or mistracking, with outstanding image stability on difficult passages.

The Model One combines a thick aluminum upper plate and armboard, CNC-machined suspension parts, a floating aluminum subchassis, and an inverted bearing supporting a 20-pound aluminum platter. Fremer also highlights the practical modular construction, which permits future motor, platter/bearing and tonearm upgrades via replaceable modules and armboards.

Useful adjustment provisions include a height-adjustable arm, anti-skate, headshell azimuth adjustment and three-point leveling. Its modular layout makes component and arm changes unusually straightforward, though electronic speed change requires the optional ADS controller rather than being supplied as standard.

At roughly $5,850 to $7,499 depending on configuration and pricing, this is a serious investment, but Fremer regards it as a substantial and distinctive option in the $5,000-class market. He describes it as a worthwhile destination for listeners seeking greater power, weight and majesty from vinyl playback without entering far more expensive territory; the included ten-year warranty strengthens that case.