Standout Sound, Style, and Optional Scales: American-Made VPI Dragon Turntable Features Massive 20-Pound Platter, Triple-Belt Drive System, and 10-Inch 3D Tonearm
Suffice it to say no turntable on the planet looks quite like the VPI Dragon. Distinguished with a vinyl-wrapped chassis comprised of an MDF and aluminum sandwich, this rig has got style — and, in the super-cool red finish, scales! It also plays LPs with absorbing sonics that might make you feel like you’ve been transported to a fantasy land. Dynamic responsiveness, extended soundstaging, and alluring purity are among its hallmark traits. Ditto its American-made build and advanced engineering.
Featuring a 300RPM high-torque AC synchronous motor housed in a mechanically separate enclosure to prevent vibrations from interfering with the audio signal, Dragon incorporates an integrated motor drive infrastructure (two low-distortion oscillators and Class AB electronics), cutting-edge triple-belt drive system, and precision-machined pulley to operate with exceptional quiet. A massive, 12-inch and 20-pound aluminum platter with an additional MDF damping layer occupies the center of attention. Not that the inverted bearing and stainless-steel shaft placed within an inverted phosphor bronze bushing should be discounted. All of these parts contribute to smooth rotational movements and outstanding timing.
Of course, Dragon wouldn’t be a full-on VPI deck without a signature tonearm. Fret not. A VPI Prime 10-inch 3D gimbal arm with adjustable counterweight, azimuth, and VTA helps track records with a desirable combination of solidity, stability, and accuracy.
Weighing 58 pounds and boasting head-turning specs for wow-and-flutter and speed accuracy, Dragon rests on damping feet machined from a blend of Delrin and aluminum. Push-button ease and a five-year manufacturer warranty enhance the appeal of a high-end ’table that may not breathe fire, but offers the kind of aesthetics and pride of ownership that turns up the heat on its peers.
Got questions about Dragon, cartridge matches, or any of the available VPI upgrades? Reach out to a Music Direct audio consultant at 312-433-0200.
