Teres Motor on a VPI HW-19 Turntable

Well, I'll agree, yes..... and no. yep, the VPI HW-19 is history as far as VPI is concerned.

Although, it has spartan looks, especially compared to a turntable like the La luce, and so many other now, the bottom line is, what constitutes great analog playback?

One could use any top of the line arm on this table, make many inexpensive mods.

I know, if some people don't see our freind Michael Fremer give it a thumbs up, it must not be any good, right?

Just today, I see on A-Gon, a piece of 1/10 of one cent piece of foam, sandwiched between two little pieces of Stainless Steel, that buttons up between the Headshell, and Cartridge...... for the asking price of $150.

Let's give it a catchy name, let's call it.....ready for this? "The Isolator?! I can think of a better name without even trying, let's call it the P.T. Barnum-ator?

And see all the rave reviews! Those that are buying, and raving must have mucho disposable income, and must be smoking some real good stuff indeed.

I won't argue that it "might" (notice how I say might) be a noticeable tweak, but to pay $150 for it? Well, go ahead if you have the money to burn.

If anyone has misunderstood, no I'm not in any way saying that a $400 VPI table is the equal of the high end, or even close. In no way am I saying this, but, I think it's time we all look at realistic philosophies, engineering principals, and sound products rather than hash (or hashish), and snake oil. Rant off mode. mark

Thanks for the response. I don't know Ozzy62, my HW-19 still sounds pretty damn good to me. Just looking for some tweaking of it. I will take my JMW10 over the JMW9 on the newer tables any day.

From what Doug describes, you should probably pass on the Teres motor. If the SAMA doesn't get you where you want to be, then it's probably time to dump the HW19 and move on. It's really a dinosaur in the VPI line anyway.

Oz

Slowhand,

I'm not familiar with your HW-19, but here are a few challenges you'd have to deal with to use a Teres motor:

1. The underside of your platter must be flat and smooth. You'll have to glue a strobe disc (supplied) to it.

2. You'd have to find a path to route the strobe sensor cable from the motor to beneath the strobe disc. (On a Teres the sensor cable runs up through a 3/16" or 1/4" hole drilled right through the plinth.)

3. You'd have to position the strobe sensor (at the end of the cable) so that it points up at the strobe disk from just 1-2mm beneath it. It must remain stable. (On a Teres the sensor is glued in place. It pokes above the plinth top surface a mm or so, which puts it the proper distance beneath the strobe disc.)

4. You'd have to position the motor and table so that the belt height matches your platter rim. I'm not sure of the belt height on the standard Teres motor. (Mine has the Ref motor, which is taller). Anyone with a Teres 2xx or 1xx table could tell you that dimension.

5. To accommodate the drive belt your platter's rim must be straight vertical, smooth and more than 1/2" high. Of course there must be a clear path for the belt - no dust covers.

Hope this helps in your decision.