Rubber Washer VPI Scout

No. The VPI tonearm has uni-pivot bearing which means it is self-leveled. Therefore, you need to level the platter to maintain the correct angle with the tonearm.

I would try it without the washer; I thought it made better contact with the platter that way anyway.

I thought the Scout came with a delrin, not rubber, washer. At least mine did when I bought it in 2010. Reading your question I'm not entirely sure what you're asking, but the purpose of the washer is to flatten the record as much as possible against the platter; it has nothing to do with leveling the table. You should level the table to insure the platter is perfectly level without worrying about the washer.

My experience with the washer has been opposite to Stanwal's -- the washer and the clamp make a tremendous positive difference when it comes to flattening records against the platter. I wouldn't play a record without it.

Actually, I never used the standard VPI clamp; I used either the TNT weight, the TTW weight or one of the TTW clamps. I still don't understand how having a washer under the record will give a tighter contact than having the record flat on the platter.