2. analog
  3. 131646-1659

What direction is VPI headed?

First let me state that I own a VPI Prime w/perifial ring, SDS, and a couple extra arm wands so I have invested some $ overall, this being my third VPI table, with that said I am a happy VPI customer but here recently have taken a few notes on their constantly coming up with the next iteration of what ever is moving well and I do believe the Prime is one of those. When they came out with the Prime Signature it was hard not to sell and replace with it but I didn't now the Prime Signature Rosewood is gorgeous but at $6,800.00, now when you get to that cost level I started looking used and have seen the prices dropping ridiculously low on a couple of HRX setups with all the extras for  a lot less than that and they still aren't moving. I know there are those that speak of VPIs marketing from time to time but what is going on.
tooblue
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,993 posts
 
I have enjoyed this table for over 20 years.  If properly setup, with the proper arm, I believe it still competes with the finest today whether made by VPI or others.
+1

In discontinuing the original SAMA and replacement parts for the HW-19 and failing to offer a table with armboards you have shut out a significant slice of the audiophile community.
+1  

There are a lot of arms that work very well with the HW-19 besides the Linear Trackers, (which do indeed sound great).  It's an EXCELLENT platform for a really, really nice vinyl playback system.  I have a LOT of experience with this table and it still holds it's own...


testpilot
952 posts
 
@vpi the HW-19’s motor replacement can be sourced from Hurst and any competent acrylic manufacture can manufacture an arm board without breaking a sweat.  When a product has been out of production for closing in on 20 years, a manufacture must cut the umbilical cord and the legacy owner must become less dependent and more resourceful.  
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,846 posts
 
What have ya'll found to be an improvement over the stock isolation springs in the HW-19 (all iterations)? Herbie's dots, SIMS Navcom Silencers, Sorbothane spheres, cones, anything DIY, etc.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,993 posts
 
What have ya’ll found to be an improvement over the stock isolation springs in the HW-19 (all iterations)? Herbie’s dots, SIMS Navcom Silencers, Sorbothane spheres, cones, anything DIY, etc.
I have tried just about everything.

My favorite are the SIMS Navcom Silencers, (with the bands removed). Unfortunately, they are getting really hard to find.

YMMV
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,846 posts
 
Thanks mofi, I happen to have a set of SIMS left. I'll give them a try, as well as a set of roller bearings that I neglected to include, though they don't isolate vertically. Maybe even the Townshend Seismic Pods!
More to discover