New VPI purchase

I bought one of the last VPI HW-40's earlier this year and what a difference it made. I use the Ortofon Cadenza Black. VPI did the initial setup and I just tweaked it after I placed the table where it was going. I use a Stillpoints weight. I have not used the supplied ring and probable will not. FWIW

@emarcano   I have a first run Scout and it did not come with a rubber washer.  So no.  I did replace the platter matt with a cork matt.

Though I have only owned the Scout in the past, I still regret ever selling it. For its price, the performance was wonderful. The fact that you have a much upgraded model and tonearm, makes me think how wonderful it all must be.

I remember the twist in the tonearm cable to be the recommended response to skating, but would have liked to see something a bit more definitive, especially when using a uni-pivot tonearm.