Sprung vs Unsprung VPI Turntables.

I have a Fully Updated VPI HW19 MK.IV, with SDS, and its SPRUNG. I have always been happy with my Table, on both concrete, and a @nd Floor Wood Floor Apartment, with a Nice Homemade shelf for Isolation, and a Birch Wood Shelf, I made it all myself. Anyway. I recently talked to Mike at VPI...and the OP hit the Nail on the Head! Its all about cost, and conserving money. Mike told me that my table, the HW19 MK.IV was just about as good as it gets. He also said that at ant time I could always experiment with removing the springs, and putting in the Foam Swimming Noodles, in 3 inch peices, to get a Non Suspended Table, without buying the Special parts they sell that drop in, with same result, for far less money.

Mike also stated that the only reason that they stopped making the HW19 Series of tables was they were far too expensive to keep on making. He said he preferred them to the modern UNSPRUNG VPI Tables, and that if anything at all, would possibly improve my table. it would be to keep it Sprung, as is, but to replace my Tonearm, with a JMW 10.5i...and he would make me up the custom armboard, but for a considerable cost. Im not sure I agree that the JMW Tonearm would be a better choice than my ZETA Silver Wired VandenHul Tonearm. The ZETA was once a world class arm, and by many standards, still is. So, without getting to hear the JMW 10.5i Arm on my Table, I really couldn't fairly say, but Im just telling you how the long conversation went with Mike regarding the HW19 Series of Tables, and I called him to ask this in particular. Reason is, is that I have listened to the Airies, Scout, Scout Master, etc....and have not found any of them to make me feel like WOW...that I felt, and still feel, with my VPI HW19 MK.IV...I love this table, And have been fully pleased with each upgrade, from the HW19 Jr. when I started, in 1986, then went to the Mk.II...Mk.III, and finally into the MK.IV with all the best updates, the better platter, and even went with the SDS, from the Power Line Conditioner. Had to jump in here, as this was a recent discussion I had with Mike, that lasted quite some time, and he stated that they just could not afford to keep on making the HW19 Series of Tables. ray

I still have my VPI Sorbothane pucks, but wont be using them. I really prefer my HW19 MK.IV with Sprung Suspension. I really couldn't ask for more bass. VPI produces wonderful bass as is, HW19's were famous for that. And my ZETA Tonearm was well known for it bass reproduction. Also cartridges come into play, as well as speakers, etc...ALON has incredible Bass, not exagerrated, just very deeep and tight. I have read posts in here, where guys told about excessive supports under their turntables, with concrete floors, using slabs of marble, plus other layers of dense naterial, and some felt, and they were advised by other members that it was overkill, and would hamper performance, I dont understand this, but it can be found either here, or in the Vinyl Engine. It may be overdoing it, with a concrete floor. Ray

As I am seeing now, many long time very serious Audiophiles, are now taking a step back to the Vinyl Heyday, of the late 70's into the full part of the 1980's. They mention that the best of the best was made during this time period. So, they are going after Classic Cartridges, hopefully NOS....with good suspension, but rubber renew has been known to help the grommet stay supple, in suspension. This is why I think I have never heard a Non Suspended VPI that I liked....I feel that they moved away from the best ways of doing things, in order to change for changes sake...hence selling more tables. Lets face it, they made the Non Suspended decks much sleeker and nicer looking than HW19's but I dont believe anywhere near in sound. I have not heard the Classics, and the only other VPI that I like is the TNT...certain series. Its easy enough to isolate your motor, and your springs, without spending much money, and the way was told to me by Mike of VPI. I did take him up on the motor isolation. Its almost like the crazy so called improvements with the SuperPlatters, for the HW19's MK.IV and in reality, only one of the platters, was the true best one, not the clear platter, etc... there was another in there, also sucked. So, I will stick with what I continue to hear. Harry even makes posts regarding the HW19's on Audio Asylum or Audio Karma, I have read all of his posts. But remember, some of it is still to do with sales. Ray