VPI HW-40 Black Edition Direct-Drive Turntable

The VPI HW-40 Black Edition is one of VPI's most ambitious turntables, combining a massive high-damping chassis, a 25-pound aluminum platter, 12-inch Fatboy Gimbal 3D tonearm, and VPI's advanced direct-drive motor system.

Rather than using the belt-drive architecture found throughout much of the VPI lineup, the HW-40 Black integrates the motor directly into the turntable. The result is exceptional speed stability, torque and control in a substantial 70-pound platform designed for serious reference-level analog systems.

VPI Direct-Drive Technology

At the heart of the HW-40 Black is an integrated three-phase BLDC direct-drive motor.

Each motor phase is individually powered by its own internal Class D amplifier, providing precise control of the platter. The system monitors speed at 2,500 pulses per revolution, while delivering 2.68 Nm/sec of motor torque and a start/stop time of approximately one second.

This isn't simply a different way of spinning the platter. The direct-drive architecture is central to the HW-40's design, providing the speed stability and immediate response expected from VPI's flagship-level analog engineering.

25-Pound Aluminum Platter

The HW-40 uses a massive 12-inch aluminum platter weighing 25 pounds.

Machined from solid aluminum and incorporating an MDF damping layer, the platter rotates on an inverted bearing with a stainless-steel shaft and phosphor-bronze bushing.

The combination of high rotational mass, precision machining and mechanical damping provides an extremely stable platform for the record.

12-Inch Fatboy Gimbal 3D Tonearm

The HW-40 Black includes VPI's 12-inch Fatboy Gimbal 3D tonearm.

The arm combines VPI's 3D construction technology with a full gimbal bearing and Nordost Reference internal wiring. Its 12-inch effective architecture reduces tracking-angle error while providing the adjustability necessary to properly optimize a high-performance cartridge.

Tonearm Specifications

• Full gimbal bearing
• 313 mm effective length
• 12.5 g effective mass
• 13 mm overhang
• 17.37° offset angle
• Nordost Reference internal wiring
• Adjustable counterweight
• Azimuth adjustment
• Adjustable VTA

Built Around Mass, Rigidity & Isolation

The HW-40 Black uses a substantial aluminum and machined acrylic chassis with highly damped acrylic sides and an aluminum frame.

Its precision-machined aluminum top plate is damped to help control unwanted resonance, while machined aluminum feet incorporate a vibration-damping polymer core.

At 70 pounds, this is a serious piece of analog hardware. Every part of the structure is designed to provide a rigid, mechanically controlled foundation for the platter, tonearm and cartridge.

Key Specifications

• Drive System: Direct drive
• Motor: Three-phase BLDC
• Motor Torque: 2.68 Nm/sec
• Speed Monitoring: 2,500 pulses per revolution
• Start/Stop Time: Approximately 1 second
• Platter: 12-inch machined aluminum
• Platter Weight: 25 lbs.
• Bearing: Inverted stainless-steel shaft / phosphor-bronze bushing
• Tonearm: 12-inch VPI Fatboy Gimbal 3D
• Internal Tonearm Wiring: Nordost Reference
• Chassis: Aluminum and machined acrylic
• Footprint: 21.75" × 16.75"
• Overall Dimensions: 22" × 17" × 10"
• Total Weight: 70 lbs.

Experience the VPI HW-40 Black at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi is your VPI turntable and high-end analog audio expert in Houston, Texas.

A turntable at the level of the HW-40 Black deserves more than simply choosing a cartridge and plugging it into a phono stage. The cartridge, phono preamplifier, loading, setup, isolation and the rest of the system all matter.

The Grid can help match the HW-40 Black with the right moving-coil or moving-magnet cartridge, phono preamplifier, amplification, loudspeakers, cabling and equipment support to build the complete analog system around it.

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 HW-40 Black Edition availability, demonstrations, cartridge recommendations, system matching and professional setup.