Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: VPI Industries TNT-HRX Turntables by scousepasty

Model:	TNT-HRX
Category:	Turntables
Suggested Retail Price:	$10,000.00?
Description:	HRX version of TNT-Hot rod.
Manufacturer URL:	VPI Industries
Manufacturer URL:	VPI Industries

Review by scousepasty ( A ) on January 05, 2005 at 03:58:07
IP Address: 212.100.251.149

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for the TNT-HRX

I first listened to the HRX at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show in February '03. It was in a room being demonstrated by Definitive Audio with Living Voice Speakers and I commented at the time that it was the only room that had a demo that sounded better than mine.
I was lucky enough to find somebody that wanted my TNT HR, through the VPI dealer and did the deal in December '03. Thats about how long HRX's started to take to reach UK.
After several problems with the wrong sized arm weights being supplied and noisy drive belt sets, it is now sounding superb. It took me a lot longer to set this up correctly and get the best out of it, compared to the TNT. But is noticeably quiter and with no background noise or signature as could be attributed to the TNT.
I ordered additional arm wands, so that now I have 3 wands each fitted with cartridges, I can easily match the cartridge to the source vinyl.

Product Weakness: The suspension system is better made now and but still leaks air, which is a pain having to set levels every 2 weeks. Arm adjustment lock screws for VTA are better than previous models but one screw is difficult to access when the arm is lowered.
Product Strengths: Greater detail and stability of sounds. Better build quality than VPI TNT H-R that it replaced.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bi-Amped Audio Research 120's / 150's
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Research LS25 Mk11. Mark Levinson Phono Stage.
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Meridian 602 / 606. Koetsu Cartridges, Lyra Titan Mono.
Speakers:	Quad ELS 63 / SW63 subs.
Cables/Interconnects:	Van Den Hul. VPI phono
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Roy Orbison, Jennifer Warnes.
Room Size (LxWxH):	24' x 14' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Equipment mounted in bay.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	12 months.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Russ Andrews.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	My system

Product Weakness:	The suspension system is better made now and but still leaks air, which is a pain having to set levels every 2 weeks. Arm adjustment lock screws for VTA are better than previous models but one screw is difficult to access when the arm is lowered.
Product Strengths:	Greater detail and stability of sounds. Better build quality than VPI TNT H-R that it replaced.