Which Tonearm to go for VPI HW-19 III?

Here is my not-so-brief history and opinions on the arms I've used on my HW-19/III.  Maybe too long and detailed, but here it is....

I used (and still own) a HW-19/III.  Loved it.  During its use as my primary table, I used a Grace 707, a Linn Basik LVX, a Premier FT3 (with and without Sumiko arm wrap) and a Jelco SA-750D.  

My opinions of those arms....

The Grace was good with high compliance carts.  A bit of ringing, but stable and easy to use.  Not a good match for low compliance carts.  At all.

The Linn Basik LVX was never better than "OK" and eventually lost the rubber isolator / buffer in the counterweight.  Used with Audioquest 404 and AT OC9/ML.  It was a better match to lower compliance carts than the Grace.  (This is a Jelco-built arm.)

The Premier FT-3 was initially good and noticeably improved with the addition of the Sumiko arm wrap (from the Sumiko Analog Survival Kit).  Used with Audioquest 404 and AT OC9/ML with very good results.  The arm wrap made a significant difference.  Not sure if it was the additional mass or arm tube damping.  (This is a Jelco-built arm.)

The Jelco SA-750D is in a different league than the above arms.  It was used without modification with an OC9/ML, Lyra Clavis DC and OC9/II.  Very good performer and hands-down winner against the other arms I used on my HW-19/III in my system with these carts.  The SA-750D was good enough to move to a modified VPI TNT with really good results.

Set-up and adjustment for the three "Jelco" arms was generally similar with a few exceptions on VTA adjustment; somewhat inhibited on the Linn due to the loss of the rubber counterweight isolator.  

My opinionated general suggestion for this line of tables....

MY PERSONAL SUGGESTION (IF THIS TABLE IS NOT ALREADY SO MODIFIED) IS TO REMOVE THE SPRINGS AND USE SORBOTHANE PUCKS OR (MUCH BETTER) VIBRAPOD CONES (POINT UP TO THE PLINTH).  That will help stabilize the plinth better keep the table in level adjustment.  It will noticeably improve OVERALL performance of a HW-19 regardless of whether it is a /I, a /II, /III or /IV.  

I won't discuss my VERY NEGATIVE opinions on Rega arms except to say they will never appear on any piece of operational equipment in my system.  

As ALWAYS, these opinions are only opinions based on my personal experience. 

YMMV.   YRMV.

Yes, it's fairly simple. If you have any questions, VPI has answers too. Great customer service.

Regards,
John

Thanks Ed and John,
Are you suggesting that I can order the upgrade parts from VPI directly and install myself?

Steve,
I would deal with VPI directly. I've found that to be a more direct route. As for the Discovery cable, many tonearms come wired with Discovery cable. All VPI JMW arms are wired with Discovery, as are the Wheaton arms (Tri-Planar). There are a couple other tonearm manufacturers, but I can't remember them right now. I liked my VPI JMW 10.5 so much I tried a 1 meter length of Discovery Essence between the arm and the phono stage. It was a big improvement over the more expensive Phono cable from Transparent Audio that I had been using. So this is something that may interest you, after the mk IV upgrade of course.

Regards,
John

Steve, many of the dealers of cartridges and turntables, (Elusive Disc, Acoustic Sounds, Audio Advisor, Etc,) will carry the MkIV upgrade. It can also be ordered from VPI directly. I can tell you that VPI is really backed up and presently the Aries Black Night platters are in very short supply, if at all. You would probably be looking at about 3-4 weeks for delivery.

I believe that the MkIV upgrade (platter, bearing and suspension) is about $600.00+, the drilled Super armboard (1" thick) about $100.00+.

The RB900 arm is factory supplied with a better quality tonearm cable than the factory 300 arm. I don't know any details on that specific wire. There are many different manufacturers of Rega upgrade cables. I can tell you that my upgrade cable is by Incognito, and the actual wire is Cardas Litz. ANY good quality upgrade cable will work wonders for your RB300.

A fully modified, rewired RB300 is sonically, a completely different tonearm than the factory RB300 tonearm. Quite frankly, it is within spitting distance of the RB900 arm and then some. But, that's comparing to a fully modified RB300 including rewire, weight, endstub, VTA adjuster, and maybe even the TWL mod.

My opinion? Go for the MkIV upgrade first. It will put that turntable in a whole nother' league. And you can sell the existing MkIII platter and bearing here on Audiogon to offset the cost of the upgrade.

Check out this link and scroll down to MkIV upgrades:

http://www.vpiindustries.com/upgrades.htm#hw19parts

Have fun, Ed.

Thank you all for the valuable inputs. If I decide to upgrade to IV, should I contact local VPI dealer or talk to VPI directly? and how much will be?
I saw an ad here at audiogon from discovery cable for rewiring services for RB300. Have you all compare different rewiring products? How does the rewired RB300 compare to RB900?

Thanks,

Steve

I agree with Scott and Ed, the mk IV upgrade is well worth it. If you want to take it further, you can add the Stand Alone Motor Assembly (SAMA) and Synchronous Drive System (SDS). That takes the HW-19 concept about as far as it can go, which is pretty far indeed. I'm happy using the JMW 10.5 tonearm with my full blown HW-19 setup. I never tried the Rega RB-900, so I cannot compare. I did originally have a RB-300 and I'm much happier with the sound of the 10.5 tonearm.
The mk IV upgrade is the first place to start though.

Regards,
John

I hear that the Eminent Technology arm is a great fit. I have the ET2 arm on another table and believe it is the best turntable to support this arm.
I strongly suggest you investigate this option.

Steve, Sdcampbell hit that one right on the head. The MkIV upgrade is VERY significant. I also use the RB900 arm. If you can afford the MkIV upgrade, do it. Your stock RB300 arm may fall slightly short after the upgrade.

Although, your 300 arm can be upgraded quite nicely. See below:

http://www.tonearm.co.uk/1-rega-mod-modification.htm

OR........

http://www.expressimoaudio.com/cart/shop.html#

The RB900 arm is a very nice arm. But, it is even better with some of the mods such as VTA adjuster, Heavyweight counterweight and internal wiring. All those same mods can be performed to your 300 arm (which you already own). If you ever decide to upgrade to the 900 arm, you could carry over the mod. parts from the 300.

Best of luck, Ed.

Based on my own experience with the VPI "HW" series turntables, I suggest you begin by upgrading to the HW-19 Mk 4 version. The heavier platter and new suspension springs make a noticeable improvement in performance, which in turns makes a better platform for a higher quality tonearm. If you get the "Mk 4" upgrade package, you will also need to buy the thicker acrylic "Super" armboard, to compensate for the increased height of the platter. When I upgraded my "Mk 3" to the "Mk 4" version, I was very pleased with the substantial improvement in performance. Shortly after making the upgrade, I bought a Rega RB-900, which proved to be an excellent combination with the "Mk 4" turntable.

A used Rega RB-900 is a fine value, as is the VPI JMW 10.5 (used) or JWM 10.0.