Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Excellent speed stability makes wow and flutter a thing of the past
- Clarity results from speed stability, creating neutral music delivery
- A high level of isolation with a footer system prevents vibrations from reaching the stylus
- A heavy platter contributes to solid sound, especially in the low end
Product Considerations
- The large plinth requires ample space on standard hifi shelving
- VPI asks that the user supply their own cables
- The supplied VPI stabilizer is not considered useful by some reviewers, with one recommending its use as a paperweight only
- Some found that the platter fit was loose
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs VPI Classic Direct—HW-40 is better damped, letting through only a subdued, quick-to-settle 'pop' when the top plate is struck
- Vs Technics SL-1200—HW-40 uses modern materials and construction that exceeds the resolution of the SL-1200
Takeaway: The HW-40 is a well-engineered turntable with a solid build, offering stable and accurate playback. It delivers a detailed and balanced sound, providing an engaging listening experience.
All
HW-40 Black
reviews
Manufacturer details
Chassis Composition: Aluminum and machined acrylic
Platter Type & Size: 12" Aluminum Platter, 25LBS
Tonearm Included: JMW-12- Fatboy Gimbal
Motor Type: Direct Drive
Motor Torque: 2.68 Nm/sec
Star/Stop Time: 1 Second
Speed Monitoring: 2,500 pulses/revolution
Footprint: 21¾" x 16 ¾"
Overall Size: 22" x 17" x 10"
Total Weight: 70lbs
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- VPI turntables utilize a multi-layered plinth construction, often combining acrylic, stainless steel, and MDF, to create a highly inert and resonance-controlled base.
- They embrace 3D printing technology in their tonearm designs, allowing for complex shapes and optimized resonance control within a one-piece structure.
- The brand provides a family-owned business experience, with readily available support and a direct connection to the designers, emphasizing long-term product viability and customer care.
Select products
VPI Cliffwood
- Positioning: The entry-level turntable, designed for those new to high-fidelity audio.
- Description: Offers a solid performance with its aluminum platter and Cliffwood tonearm, making it a great choice for beginners. Unlike the more advanced models like the Prime X, it focuses on simplicity and ease of use, which is ideal for small rooms and those with a limited budget. It lacks the advanced isolation and tonearm options found in higher-end models, making it less suitable for those seeking extensive customization or the highest sound quality.
VPI Prime X
- Positioning: A high-performance turntable that sits above the Scout 21, offering advanced features for serious audiophiles.
- Description: Stands out with its 3D-printed JMW-12 tonearm and HW-40 isolation feet, providing superior sound isolation and detail retrieval compared to the Scout 21. It lacks the multi-tonearm capability of the Avenger, which might be a consideration for users looking for maximum flexibility.
VPI Avenger
- Positioning: A top-tier model designed for audiophiles seeking maximum flexibility and performance.
- Description: Features a unique three-layer chassis and ability to mount up to three tonearms, making it a standout choice for those who want to experiment with different audio setups. It offers superior isolation and sound quality compared to the Signature DS.
VPI Titan
- Positioning: The flagship model, offering groundbreaking performance and technology.
- Description: Features a pneumatic air-suspension system and analog-based oscillators for exceptional stability and sound purity, setting it apart from the Avenger and other models. Its high cost and advanced features make it suitable for those who are deeply invested in high-end audio and have the space to accommodate its large footprint.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Technologically, two standout innovations set VPI apart:
Our use of 3D printing technology and our proprietary 3-phase BLD motor and processing system. The 3D-printed tonearms represent a major leap forward in precision, damping, and performance—offering sonic benefits that traditional manufacturing struggles to match. Our 3-phase motor system, paired with advanced control processing, delivers superior speed stability and vibration isolation. Both are significant engineering achievements in turntable design and performance.
From a broader philosophy, what truly differentiates us is our identity—we're a family-owned company, still run by the original family, now heading into a third generation. Every table is made in America, built by a small but dedicated team, and reflects a hands-on, personal commitment to craftsmanship and legacy that's hard to find today.
What's your approach to customer support?
We always recommend that customers first reach out to their original retailer—dealer or distributor—as they are often the quickest path to help. However, if the dealer is unavailable or the issue goes beyond their scope, we're absolutely here and ready to jump in.
Customers can contact us directly by email or phone, and we do our best to respond as quickly as possible. What sets us apart is our commitment to hands-on support—if needed, we'll FaceTime or Zoom with customers to walk them through setup, troubleshooting, or fine-tuning. We've even invited customers to the factory when they're nearby. We take support personally because we take our customers personally—when you buy a VPI, you're part of the family.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
- Take Five – Dave Brubeck: The rhythm, the horn work, and the overall layering make this an ideal track for evaluating instrumental balance and clarity. Personally, it holds a special place—it was a favorite of mine and my wife back when we were dating, and my father, Harry Weisfeld (VPI's founder), used it to teach me about soundstage and timing. It's both a sentimental and technical go-to.
- Dr. Ackbar – Bob and Ray's Stereo Spectacular: This is a wild, lesser-known gem. It's a spoken-word journey through a castle/laboratory that plays with spatial cues and stereo effects in a way that's perfect for system testing. When your setup is dialed in, you should feel like you're physically in the space—with voices and effects coming from pinpoint locations around you.
- 64 Dodge – Greg Brown: This track gives me everything I need when checking a system—vocals, guitar tone, and fine detail. I grew up listening to it, so I know exactly how it should sound. When something's off, I can hear it immediately; when it's right, this track just sings.
What other products pair best with yours?
Tough to pick just one, but Nordost cables are often paired with VPI by both customers and retail partners—and for good reason. The synergy between Nordost and our turntables brings out incredible detail and clarity. That said, two standout system pairings we've seen a lot this past year include:
System 1:
- VPI Industries
- VAC Amplifiers
- Acora Speakers
- Cardas Cables
System 2:
- VPI Industries
- Audio Research
- Wilson Audio
- Nordost Cables
Each of these combinations delivers a beautiful blend of musicality, precision, and dynamic range—exactly what analog lovers are chasing.
Used
VPI
What if you spend more?
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality and design, utilizing materials like acrylic, stainless steel, and aluminum, contribute to an inert structure
- The direct drive motor ensures accurate speed control, with feedback loops monitoring platter rotation
- Designed with three support posts, the Avenger Direct can accommodate up to three tonearms of various sizes and from different manufacturers
- A 3-point isolation system with adjustable feet provides excellent isolation from external vibrations in both vertical and horizontal axes
- Despite its high-end nature, the Avenger Direct is easy to set up and operate
Product Considerations
- The Avenger Direct is a significant investment, placing it in 'turntable grail territory'
- With a single tonearm arrangement, the tonearm feels further to the back of the deck than one might get from a larger chassis
- The Avenger Direct's sonic characteristics may benefit from careful cartridge selection
Takeaway: The VPI Avenger Direct is a top-tier turntable offering exceptional build quality, precise speed control, and versatile tonearm options. Its robust engineering and ease of use provide a rewarding listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Capable of an informative, dynamic and exciting presentation
- Sensational dynamics and surefooted with rhythms
- Excellent build and finish with carefully honed engineering
- Lowest noise floor of any vinyl setup
- Delivers a sound of huge scale and power
Product Considerations
- Expensive
- Installation requires a certified, trained LP12 specialist
- Some may find the presentation tonally lean
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Luxman EQ-500: Klimax lacks natural warmth and spaciousness, preferring a more forward presentation, but renders the sound with more precision and agility
- Vs LP12 Akurate: The Linn LP12 Klimax has even lower noise floor
- Vs LP12 Majik: The Linn LP12 Klimax is very unique, smooth, more lively and more appealing with deep bass and extreme high-end air
Takeaway: The Klimax LP12 is a top-tier turntable delivering exceptional sonic performance and a very enjoyable listening experience. It represents the pinnacle of Linn's turntable technology.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The J.Sikora company celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. On this occasion, we have prepared a special product line for the anniversary year.
In 2009, the founder, Janusz Sikora, completed the design of his first turntable. It was the progenitor of the current Standard Max model. It was on this occasion that we decided to build and recreate the Standard Max turntable according to the original design and material assumptions.
Janusz Sikora implemented many of the technical solutions known from the later Reference model in the Standard Max model. One could even describe this original design as a Standard Max with the soul of a Reference. Experiments using brass and bronze resulted in two perfect versions of this model, according to the designer. The bronze one was built in only two copies and there are no plans to resume its production. However, we decided to introduce the brass version to our regular offer now on the occasion of the company's 15th anniversary. In 2009, the implementation of such an ambitious project was very difficult to finalize due to costs.
The new, anniversary Standard Max is a unique turntable. It contains unique combinations of metals and alloys, known from Reference. Aluminum elements were replaced with brass in the turntable suspension. The separators at the base of the platter are made of steel, copper and solid brass plates. The motor housings, as in the Reference turntable, are made of 1 cm thick stainless steel, with special, improved internal damping, and the bases are made of a 2 cm thick slice of brass. Material changes have also been introduced in armboards. The new armboard is made of brass, steel and aluminum.
The use of brass in key places of the turntable allowed us to get closer in most sonic aspects to the pattern set by the Reference turntable. Additionally, the anniversary Standard Max will only be available with a power supply known from the Reference line, and the first 15 sets will be numbered.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme 15th Anniversary turntable brings music in an unbelievably 'laid back' way
- It delivers a precise, open, very resolving treble
- The turntable suppresses pops & cracks and other distortion
- The sound is velvety, deep and almost warm
Product Considerations
- The bass is somewhat soft
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs TechDAS Air Force One—the Standard Max Supreme plays with less freedom and three-dimensionality
- Vs SME 20/3A—the Standard Max Supreme is less precise and open
- Vs Rega Naia—the Standard Max Supreme is not as effortlessly playing
- Vs Kuzma Stabi XL—the Standard Max Supreme has a deepening of the sound that is comparable
Takeaway: The J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme 15th Anniversary turntable is a top hifi product that offers a quiet and natural sound, allowing one to focus on the music. It is designed to work well with all types of records, regardless of their condition.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Clearaudio Reference Jubilee turntable has a knack for picking the best aspects from a whole different range of musical styles
- It employs both light and heavy turntable design principles at once to lower resonances and reveal more of the low-level information in the music
- The Ceramic Magnetic Bearing (CMB) produces the effect of the turntable platter effectively floating on an air cushion, reducing noise transmission and decreasing potential friction
- Innovative Motor Suspension (IMS) keeps motor vibrations from entering the Panzerholz plinth
- The Panzerholz plinth has a very low Q Factor, or resonance
Product Considerations
- The arm comes with a set of five different counterweights and will accommodate a very wide range of cartridge weights and tracking forces, but as these are unscrewed from beneath, they are fiddlier than some
- The fine pitch of the weight adjustment screw requires considerable twiddling to effect a decent change
- The cueing device could do with more damping and might be a tad abrupt in action
- Setting up the tonearm can be difficult
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- It is noticeably lighter to lift, carry, and position than the Kuzma Stabi R turntable
- It employs both light and heavy turntable design principles at once, unlike the Rega Planar 10
Takeaway: The Clearaudio Reference Jubilee turntable is beautifully engineered and has a knack for picking the best aspects from a whole range of musical styles. Taking the time to properly set up the Reference Jubilee is amply rewarded.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Turn-key vinyl rig that works well at the head in many systems, not just for Burmester completists
- Sound is both refined and has a stentorian bass
- Sound is aimed at uncomplicated, direct emotion, with a focus on a punchy and powerful bass and fundamental range
- Built to an uncompromising standard, putting it among the shining stars of turntable construction
- Music sounds as if it came from somewhere else—from a superior medium, still analog, but better than analog records
Product Considerations
- Replacing the belts is beyond the listener's scope, as it's designed as a sealed unit
- Setting up resistive and capacitive load or cartridge gain involves guesswork for those without a Burmester 100 phono stage
- Only weakly decoupled from its background, meaning the surface it's placed on can affect the sound
- The manual lacks technical specifications on parameters like coil material, resistance, and recommended termination value
- Does not come with a hood
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Burmester 175: Similar 'effortlessness' and 'naturalness' to the sound, but the 175 is a bigger and heavier hitter with more information to process
- Vs Burmester 175: Might even score over the 175 in dynamic range in some cases, especially in systems where the 175's scale can be overpowering
- Pulls away from other players at the latest: the beautifully sonorous recorded drums have even more weight here—and impact, the guitar amps are even more widely distributed in the listening room
- Vs Linn LP12: Even Linn LP12, which is recognized for its powerful bass and format, falls behind, even if the Burmester system is temporarily implanted into it
Takeaway: The Burmester 217 is a well-built and easy-to-use turntable that delivers a balanced and dynamic sound, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a high-end audio experience. It makes listening to records an immersive and enjoyable experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Heavy (50-pound) gunmetal platter, air-bearing platter drive, quiet air pump, and vacuum hold-down
- Fit and finish are superior to the original Air Force 3, with a more showy cosmetic finish and high-gloss black lacquer
- Computerized program adjusts belt tension, ensuring correct speed
- Very effective isolation from external vibrations due to its gel-like isolation feet, preventing feedback
- Considered the sweet spot in the Air Force line, offering most of the company's technology at a lower price point than the top models and is the number one selling product in the line
Product Considerations
- Not suitable for quick starts, as it is not designed for applications needing instantaneous speed like a disco setup
- Up to three or four tonearms can be mounted at once, but can be crowded and may require guidance for setup to avoid conflicts
- While the pump is very quiet, it is not inaudible
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs OMA-K3: A direct comparison showed that turntables make a huge difference in sound, with listeners having varying preferences between the Air Force 3 Premium S and the more expensive OMA-K3 when using the same tonearm and cartridge
- Vs Original Air Force 3: The Air Force 3 Premium S has a much heavier platter (50 lbs vs a few pounds), superior finish, and greater rigidity due to being machined from a billet—not assembled from multiple parts
Takeaway: The Air Force 3 Premium S turntable offers a great balance of features and performance within the TechDAS Air Force line. With its advanced technology and build quality, it promises a lasting and high-quality listening experience for audiophiles.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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