loud but not THAT loud - that's kinda silly. Sounds like a vacuum cleaner.
I've been using the VPI for about 10 years, and on several major reissue projects. Does a great job, though not as radical as some may suggest, if one has a good turntable, pre-amp, converters, etc. On the other hand, the guy who used to run a big record store in downtown NY (can't remember the name of it, it was oriented toward a lot of show material, but also had a good jazz and blues collection) called my LP transfers "the best in the business."