New Toy: VPI HW-19 Mk4

[02audionoob]

I like those. What prompted this move?

[JohnMichael]

An SME arm, I am impressed. Would love to hear it. You are right I need another turntable. Is it the AT 440 mounted in the tonearm? Beautiful!

[Jack in Wilmington]

Very, very nice. Like Noob said, did we miss that you were looking at an upgrade to your analog side? I did. My Music Hall dealer is also a VPI dealer and he was really hitting me with the hard sell for a Scout. Give us some more details when you can tear yourself away from that beautiful piece of equipment. Congrats.

[jrhymeammo]

Very, very nice. Like Noob said, did we miss that you were looking at an upgrade to your analog side? I did. My Music Hall dealer is also a VPI dealer and he was really hitting me with the hard sell for a Scout. Give us some more details when you can tear yourself away from that beautiful piece of equipment. Congrats.

Thanks.
I've been eyeing the Mk4 for a while, but I've never pulled the trigger fast enough.
It gets grabbed pretty fast. It was a hard decision though. I couldn't decide between the AVID Volvere, Acoustics Solid Challenger, and Pro-Ject RM10.1. With money saved over mentioned 3, I decided to get a LOMC and phono preamp from Audiogon. I think I did good.

Does your dealer have the original Scout or the new Scout with an aluminum platter and tapered tonearm? I have yet to hear the Scout2 and I really wanted to get it over the Mk4, but I felt I needed a suspended TT since I already have non-suspended decks. We always need something different, you know? Sounds like your dealer isn't pushing you hard enough...

Thanks again,
JRA

[Jack in Wilmington]

Thanks.
I've been eyeing the Mk4 for a while, but I've never pulled the trigger fast enough.
It gets grabbed pretty fast. It was a hard decision though. I couldn't decide between the AVID Volvere, Acoustics Solid Challenger, and Pro-Ject RM10.1. With money saved over mentioned 3, I decided to get a LOMC and phono preamp from Audiogon. I think I did good.

Does your dealer have the original Scout or the new Scout with an aluminum platter and tapered tonearm? I have yet to hear the Scout2 and I really wanted to get it over the Mk4, but I felt I needed a suspended TT since I already have non-suspended decks. We always need something different, you know? Sounds like your dealer isn't pushing you hard enough...

Thanks again,
JRA

He had an original setup in one room, but it was heavily moded out. He's good, because he always takes your old stuff back in trade. Are you going to get another dust cover?

[jrhymeammo]

He had an original setup in one room, but it was heavily moded out. He's good, because he always takes your old stuff back in trade. Are you going to get another dust cover?

The shipper will be working with FedEx to recover the cost. I hope he'll be able to work on it promptly. The replacement seems to be around $160 from VPI. I may just get one before they discontinue the item.

JRA

[jrhymeammo]

An SME arm, I am impressed. Would love to hear it. You are right I need another turntable. Is it the AT 440 mounted in the tonearm? Beautiful!

I've had the SME for a while on my Technics SL-1200mk2.
When I found the original Mk4 with SME mount, I didn't hestitate to grab one.
I'm still keeping the stock SL-1210mk5G for future mods. But I think the SME looks better on this TT. You have a great arm so if I was in your position, I would spend your entire budget on a TT with Rega mount.
I really like the AT 440mla. It tracks nicely. I don't really hear the problematic surface noise everyone talks about. I have a LOMC on its way, but I may just keep the AT on for a while.

Have Fun,
JRA

[Luvin Da Blues]

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I really like the AT 440mla. It tracks nicely. I don't really hear the problematic surface noise everyone talks about. I have a LOMC on its way, but I may just keep the AT on for a while.

Have Fun,
JRA

Congrats on the new table JR. I've always wanted a VPI. This one looks like it's in very nice condition, too bad 'bout the lid.

The 440 is a fantastic tracking cartridge, I've yet to hear any break up on anything I've thrown at it. As far as the surface noise goes, I don't hear any excess or exaggerated noise levels on mine.

[jrhymeammo]

The 440 is a fantastic tracking cartridge, I've yet to hear any break up on anything I've thrown at it. As far as the surface noise goes, I don't hear any excess or exaggerated noise levels on mine.

It really is a good cartridge. You can grab one for not much more than $100, so I think it's one of the best value in audio. I don't have to worry about LP condition and still get excellent sound. Unplayable LP is different, but unplayed LP is just a waste, you know?

Thanks,
JRA

[jrhymeammo]

I like those. What prompted this move?

Lack of emotion from the Technics.
Don't get me wrong I still love the Technics for rock solid sound but I felt that I need to go with a suspended turntable to create fluid sound.
I'm still keeping one of my SL-1200s to collect dust.

JRA