VPI Turntables
VPI Dragon High-End Turntable
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VPI Dragon High-End Turntable
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Overview
VPI Dragon High-End Turntable
The VPI Dragon is a serious high-end turntable built around one goal: extracting as much music as possible from the record while keeping unwanted vibration and mechanical noise out of the signal.
VPI combines a substantial damped chassis, 20-pound aluminum platter, mechanically isolated high-torque AC synchronous motor, triple-belt drive system, inverted bearing, and JMW-10 3D tonearm into a turntable designed for exceptional speed stability, low noise and precise cartridge tracking.
The Dragon is unmistakably VPI—substantial, mechanical and built to be the foundation of a truly high-performance analog system.
Mechanically Isolated Motor & Triple-Belt Drive
One of the Dragon's most important design features is its motor system.
The high-torque AC synchronous motor is housed in a mechanically separate enclosure, helping prevent motor vibration from reaching the platter, tonearm and cartridge.
VPI pairs the motor with integrated drive electronics using two low-distortion oscillators and Class AB electronics, along with a precision-machined pulley and triple-belt drive system.
The result is a drive system engineered for quiet operation and excellent rotational stability.
20-Pound Aluminum Platter
The Dragon uses a substantial 12-inch, 20-pound aluminum platter rotating on VPI's inverted bearing system.
The platter incorporates damping to help control unwanted resonance, while the inverted bearing uses a stainless-steel shaft and phosphor-bronze bushing.
It's a substantial approach to platter design—and exactly what you'd expect from a VPI turntable at this level.
VPI JMW-10 3D Tonearm
The Dragon includes VPI's JMW-10 3D tonearm with a full gimbal bearing.
The arm uses VPI's 3D construction technology incorporating materials including epoxy resin and Delrin, with VPI copper-weave internal wiring.
The tonearm provides adjustment for counterweight, azimuth and VTA, giving experienced users and installers the ability to properly dial in a wide range of high-performance moving-coil and moving-magnet cartridges.
Tonearm Specifications
- Full gimbal bearing
- VPI copper-weave internal wiring
- 258 mm pivot-to-spindle distance
- 273.4 mm effective length
- 10.2 g effective mass
- 15.4 mm overhang
- 19.98° offset angle
- Adjustable counterweight
- Adjustable azimuth
- Adjustable VTA
Built for Isolation
The Dragon's chassis combines vinyl-wrapped MDF and metal construction to create a highly damped foundation for the turntable.
Machined Delrin and aluminum feet incorporate a vibration-damping polymer core, while the motor assembly remains mechanically separated from the main chassis.
Everything works toward the same objective: allowing the cartridge to read what's actually in the groove rather than vibration coming from the turntable itself.
Key Specifications
- Drive System: Triple-belt drive
- Motor: High-torque 300 RPM AC synchronous
- Platter: 12-inch aluminum
- Platter Weight: 20 lbs.
- Tonearm: VPI JMW-10 3D Gimbal
- Motor Pulley Accuracy: ±0.0005"
- Wow & Flutter: <0.1%
- Speed Accuracy: 0.05%
- Rumble: 80 dB down
- Total Weight: 58 lbs.
- Power: 100–120V or 220–240V AC, 50–60Hz
Upgrade Potential
Like many of VPI's upper-level turntables, the Dragon provides room to take the system even further.
Available VPI upgrades include:
- Periphery Ring Clamp
- Reference Feet
- Fatboy Tonearm in Gimbal or UniPivot configurations
Cartridge selection also gives the Dragon enormous flexibility. Matching the tonearm with the right cartridge and phono stage can dramatically influence the final character and performance of the system.
Experience the VPI Dragon at The Grid HiFi
The Grid HiFi is your VPI turntable and high-end analog audio expert in Houston, Texas.
At this level, buying the turntable is only the beginning. The cartridge, phono preamplifier, isolation, cabling and setup all play a major role in what you'll ultimately hear.
The Grid can help match the Dragon with the right moving-coil or moving-magnet cartridge, phono stage, amplification, loudspeakers, cabling and equipment support for your system.
We can also professionally handle cartridge installation and alignment, tracking force, VTA, azimuth, tonearm setup and complete turntable optimization.
Contact The Grid HiFi for VPI Dragon availability, demonstrations, cartridge recommendations, system matching and professional setup.
FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
Do you price match?
Yes. We match any authorised dealer, including big-box retailers. If you find the same product at a lower price, contact us and we'll match it.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — free shipping on every order, with 2-day delivery available on most products. Easy returns and exchanges are included.
Where is your showroom?
We're at 6362 Alder Drive, Houston, Texas. The showroom lets you hear and compare reference-level systems in person before making any decisions. If you're considering a larger purchase or installation, it's well worth the visit.
Can I buy online without visiting the showroom?
Yes. The full product range is available through the online store with free nationwide shipping. For more complex system builds, speaking with one of our advisers first tends to lead to a better result.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Special financing is available through the BrandSource Credit Card for qualifying purchases, allowing you to spread payments over time with no annual fee. Promotional rebate savings are also available periodically. See the financing page for full details.
Do you install systems as well as sell equipment?
Yes — installation is central to what we do. We design and install whole-home audio and video, home theaters, media rooms, outdoor audio, lighting and motorised shades, and full smart home automation.
Do you provide support after installation?
Yes. We provide ongoing service and support to ensure systems continue performing as intended — not just on installation day, but over the long term.