VPi HW 19 jr upgrade

Glad to hear it. I just ordered a set. Very reasonable prices. Probably near 1/2 the price of others.

Its funny. My buddy put cones on his VPI 15 years ago and I certainly meant to get some but never did. Takes a forum like this to get off my ass....
ss

Here we go again. Some well-intended but questionable info so far.

The MK2 and Mk3 platters were the same platter; no difference. It is a very good platter, but not as good as the heavier Mk4/TNT platters. The difference between the Mk2 and Mk3 tables was the stainless steel chassis and acrylic top plate of the Mk3. The difference in sound between the Mk2/3 chassis and the one you have (Jr.) is not nearly as significant as the difference between the Jr. frosted and Mk2 platter. So, you are in good shape as far as that goes. Personally, I would leave the chassis alone and add a SDS. The improvement will be greater than that wrought by adding the SAMA, or even the MK4 platter. A no-brainer IMO. A used SDS and a Denon 103R (if you have the gain) for $1000, and you will be in a different sonic league.

Mr SS- I'm at a loss as to what is meant by a, "one piece plinth". The HW19 plinth is the wooden bottom, to which the feet are attached, and they are all, "one piece". It's a simply thing to drill the Mk IV chassis for your tonearm, and, staying with your platter; no height problems will arise, as they do with the much heavier ones(yes- they offer improved sound, but at a higher price). The Mk III platter(that you have) should weigh in at right around 9 lbs. I found that by changing out the 10-24 blind nuts, in the bottom of the plinth, for 1/4-20's(http://www.fastener-express.com/blind-nuts-t-nuts.aspx), and installing four sorbothane feet(http://www.ebay.com/itm/SORBOTHANE-MOUNTABLE-RUBBER-SHOCK-ABSORBING-FOOT-/250592843589?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a587f5745), I was able to eliminate EVERY vestige of acoustic feedback, from my turntable, in my very cramped listening environment.

Rodman,

Sorry if I'm throwing around incorrect terminology. I was referring to the oak base on which the feet are attached as the base and the 1" MDF on the Jr which houses the arm, bearing and platter as the plinth, apparently erroneously...

Referring to 2 piece I meant that in terms of what I was calling the plinth and an armboard...those 2 pieces as opposed to a JR which has one piece to hold the arm and platter.
SS

Per a recent conversation with VPI: The was an, "early" Mk II, frosted acrylic platter, and the, "later" acrylic/lead Mk II & III platter which you own. Regarding the springs, vs the pucks: Some prefer one over the other. The low cost allows for much experimentation(except for the MK IV springs). The spring tension/design DOES VARY GREATLY, between the various iterations of platter, and their weights. Buying a used platter can be risky, as the spindles/bearings can be easily damaged(there are a lot of clutzes out there). The steel and acrylic BOTH comprise what is called the, "chassis" of the HW19, and the heavier/the better(by a wide margin). Of course- the acrylic armboard is a separate entity, on all but the Jr(no steel) & Mk IV. I own the SDS, and they do make a huge difference in sound quality, providing your house voltage is not a stable 60Hz(mine wasn't), or- if your speed is off, for any reason. Good luck finding one at a price used, that allows any room(within your budget) for further mods. You can buy one new, at MSS Hi-Fi, for $995.00. Isolating the motor from the plinth(as with the SAMA), will cost you very little, if you can DIY. Of course the Denon 103R is a nice cartridge, IF your phonostage will support a .25mV moving coil's output, as opposed to your present 4.5mV, and allow for proper MC loading.