For what it’s worth:
I owned a VPI HW MK II for 30 years. I decided to upgrade and called VPI to find out why the changes in design philosophy: belt vs direct, acrylic vs aluminum etc.
HW himself got in the phone and said - to his credit - don’t waste money buying a classic etc. instead, just upgrade my II to a IV and my table will be as good or better than anything out there.
He also said they stopped making the HWs because of laws against the lead and because they are too expensive to make today. This from a guy who now makes a table in excess of $20K...
i dont use mats. I just clamp the LP down to the platter, as was designed to be done.
I owned a VPI HW MK II for 30 years. I decided to upgrade and called VPI to find out why the changes in design philosophy: belt vs direct, acrylic vs aluminum etc.
HW himself got in the phone and said - to his credit - don’t waste money buying a classic etc. instead, just upgrade my II to a IV and my table will be as good or better than anything out there.
He also said they stopped making the HWs because of laws against the lead and because they are too expensive to make today. This from a guy who now makes a table in excess of $20K...
i dont use mats. I just clamp the LP down to the platter, as was designed to be done.