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Audioquest tonearm ID

nelsress

nelsress

Super Member
This past September I picked up a VPI HW-19 Mark 4 turntable with an Audioquest tonearm and a Benz Micro cartridge. It's a very nice rig that I've only had a chance to listen to once but was impressed with the sound.

The manual for the turntable was included in the sale but there was no info on the tonearm or the cartridge. When I Googled "audioquest tonearm" I found some but there are several that look like this one. Is there a quick and easy way to ID this tonearm? I figure there must be and I'm just missing it.

Thanks.
 
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It looks like the P-7 that was on my VPI.

I don't know what that is wrapped around it though.

Apparently the tone arm cable attached below is also a way of determining the type of arm.

Thanks

Eric
 
Do you have a pic of the sticker on the plinth? My HW-19 Junior looked identical with the arm mounted on the deck like yours.

The type IV has a separate arm board if I am informed correctly.

Here's mine:

IMG_7228.JPG

Thanks

Eric
 
My apologies, so much for going from memory anymore, the sticker on the back says it's an HW-19 Mark 4, not a Classic. I'll edit the original post, thanks for straightening me out on that confusion!
 
The wrap, as I understand it (from prior research), it's for a damping effect to prevent tonearm resonance.
 
Audioquest (yes, made by Jelco) offered a range of arms, as I recall it was PT6-to-PT9. The arms were absolutely identical: only the cables were different (and the prices).

It was a good arm (far better than the Rega RB300; I had both at the same time) and that round thing at the top of the bearing assembly is a cap that can be unscrewed to add damping fluid.
 
bimasta said:
Audioquest (yes, made by Jelco) offered a range of arms, as I recall it was PT6-to-PT9. The arms were absolutely identical: only the cables were different (and the prices).

It was a good arm (far better than the Rega RB300; I had both at the same time) and that round thing at the top of the bearing assembly is a cap that can be unscrewed to add damping fluid.
Click to expand...

the PT 9 had a cap at the top of the pivot boss like the sumiko arms that the damping was adjustable , the 6 and 7 were the jelco 250ST with fluid damping.
 
My Junior, which is what I think you have here, also had a sticker on it that said HW-19 MkIV.

I have no idea why.

Thanks

Eric
 
Not an PT-9 looks like a PT-6 with the Sumiko survival damping tape on it.
The 6, 7, 8 are the same arm. The different designations come from the cable that came with it.
The 6 had the entry level tonearm cable, the 7 had the middle tier cable, and the 8 had the top of the line cable. The PT-9 was the same way with different designations for the type of tonearm cable. The 9 looks like a straight tube Jelco 750. These are both nice Tonearms that don't get a lot of credit for how good they are.
Your table is a VPI jr. with what looks like a Mk-2 platter on it. By the way a very nice table.
Sturgus
 
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nelsress said:
This past September I picked up a VPI HW-19 Mark 4 turntable with an Audioquest tonearm and a Benz Micro cartridge. It's a very nice rig that I've only had a chance to listen to once but was impressed with the sound.

The manual for the turntable was included in the sale but there was no info on the tonearm or the cartridge. When I Googled "audioquest tonearm" I found some but there are several that look like this one. Is there a quick and easy way to ID this tonearm? I figure there must be and I'm just missing it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
This little inexpensive tweak would work nice on your table. Supplies a more ridged mount.
Happy listening
Sturgus
https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/improved-mounting-collar-for-jelco-tonearms-black1/
 
Thank you all for the great information. It appears that it will be impossible to determine which of the PT series arms this is because the original cable was replaced with a shortened cable leading to a block on the rear of the plinth with RCA female jacks and a ground terminal. The block is called "the mod squad". Does this mean it's possible to use any good interconnect with this table? Any suggestions for good, affordable cables for this table are much appreciated.

Odd that both Eric and I have decks marked HW-19 Mark 4 erroneously. Interesting oddity, for sure. How do any of you who have experienced both, compare a Technics SL-120 with an SME 3009 II Improved arm and a Shure V15 type III to this VPI table as equipped? The Technics SL-120, set up as above, has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

Thanks again for all the responses!

Nelson
 
Thanks for the link, Sturgus, that would be an affordable and relatively easy tweak worth trying.

Nelson
 
nelsress said:
Thank you all for the great information. It appears that it will be impossible to determine which of the PT series arms this is because the original cable was replaced with a shortened cable leading to a block on the rear of the plinth with RCA female jacks and a ground terminal. The block is called "the mod squad". Does this mean it's possible to use any good interconnect with this table? Any suggestions for good, affordable cables for this table are much appreciated.

Odd that both Eric and I have decks marked HW-19 Mark 4 erroneously. Interesting oddity, for sure. How do any of you who have experienced both, compare a Technics SL-120 with an SME 3009 II Improved arm and a Shure V15 type III to this VPI table as equipped? The Technics SL-120, set up as above, has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

Thanks again for all the responses!

Nelson
Click to expand...

Yes you can use any good phono interconnect with that terminal block. Which to use is a whole other discussion.

Interesting you compare this TT to your SL-120 as I have a SME 3009 type III I plan to use on my SL-110 as soon as I get an armboard cut.

Good luck

Eric
 
It's essentially a Jelco Sa250St. It amazes me what companies will slap a sticker on and charge more than twice the price for.
 
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