VPI SDS Whys and Hows?

Hi markd51,

TT motors are fly weight power consumers. The VPI HRX motor system consumes 14 watts of power, and that's for a 2 motor drive unit. An SDS drive will drive 2 of these 30 lb units, 100% overkill. Do we need a 15 amp connector to power a flea power motor? Do we need to spend $$$$$$ for an after market power cord?

My solution seemed simple, at least to me. I replaced the power cord from the SDS, with a 22 gage, SHIELDED cable to the motor. I will deliver the power to the SDS from an APC smart battery back-up supply. This only augments the advantages of the SDS. Will anyone be willing to modify the electronics of the SDS, maybe, but probably not, but it's not a big deal.

I have yet to hear if the ideas I've presented will actually make me happy when I turn the system off, and go to bed. -------------------- Next month I'll be able to see how everything works out.

Ken

Mark sound like you have really nice balanced system,.Have a buddy who also has the PY7.It would be the one thing I'd swap out 9Rega 300/600?Origin Live 250?Eminent Tech?VPI 10 or 10.5 Memorial).You have excellent phono stage and cart and I have always been deferential to phono and cart and stage as opposed to more "balanced" parts of change but I think you have those bases covered.I would again call VPI and tell them about your problem (they may give you low cost option and general advice on deck).Another good resource I have found is talking to Bes Nivera at Music Direct who has heard most everything out there (and it's various combos).I would think that he could put in valuable 2 cents on PC,arm or other deck issues since he sells everything you have.
Good luck
Chazz

Chazzbo/All,
Thanks all for the responses. Seems to be the consensus, that I'd be wise to consider the SAMA, but not to knock myself out worrying about the Power Cord.

I's assume the new SAMA compatible for the HW-19 does come with its own Power Cord. You're right, a call to Bes is the way to fly.

As for Bes at MusicDirect, I lived in Chicago all my life up until four years ago, am now in the Desert Southwest (NM), and know Bes quite well, probably a good 8-9 years.

He knows me well enough too, that when I've phoned orders in at MD these last couple of years, I don't have to even announce who I am! lol

You're right about Bes, when Jim the Owner stumbled upon Bes, he found himself a one in a million person who is selfless, highly knowledgeable, and possesses that very unique, special personality it takes to be in this type of business. Half the fun of going to MD, was chatting with Bes, we always had a good time!

I know MD has grown considerably since its conception in 1996-1997. Bes works hard, and is worth every penny. Mark

markd51 theres no doubt the sds will not take the big buck power cords, and its not necessary. i am using a spare cord that was supplied with my amps, it has the ferrite ring at the female end.
in my case the sds droped the noise floor off the charts, and like you said super stabilized the platter speed. all in all a very good tweak for my analog rig.

I have a HW-19 MK III and the SDS and the SAMA.

The SAMA was the biggest improvement and the SDS was a meaningful improvement as well, but not as much as the SAMA.

Together they are great.

I also have a Rega RB300 Tonearm on mine, and it has been rewired with high quality wire and has the usual drop counterweight and endstub addtions as well and it sounds great. I tried a stock Origin Live Silver and while it was really nice, it was only marginally better than the RB300 with these modifications. I decided to sell the Silver and stick with my RB300. If you could get a VPI JWM-9 or a any of the upper level Rega Tonearms (RB600/RB700/RB900/RB1000) you'd probably be very happy with the sound