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VPI Turntable Owners Thread

I've had similar QC issues with the HW40 that I analyzed. It was purchased new in 2019 from one of VPI's dealers and when I removed the table from the box, I could hear something sliding across the bottom plate inside the plinth. When I removed the bottom, I found one of the mounting bolts for the motor assembly floating loose. There is no way a tightened bolt would work loose, so I suspect it was left partially installed and worked itself loose in shipping.

HW40 Bolt2.JPG

I also noticed the Fatboy gimballed tonearm had loose bearings at the horizontal pivot point. This was probably why the bass was so uncontrolled on this particular table.
 
phoenixengr said:
I've had similar QC issues with the HW40 that I analyzed. It was purchased new in 2019 from one of VPI's dealers and when I removed the table from the box, I could hear something sliding across the bottom plate inside the plinth. When I removed the bottom, I found one of the mounting bolts for the motor assembly floating loose. There is no way a tightened bolt would work loose, so I suspect it was left partially installed and worked itself loose in shipping.

View attachment 3308960

I also noticed the Fatboy gimballed tonearm had loose bearings at the horizontal pivot point. This was probably why the bass was so uncontrolled on this particular table.
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity0did you ask for some kind of concession on that unit being that it is not a freaking cheap model?
 
Recently purchased a VPI HW-19 JR and have just ordered the MKIII platter. I was advised to replace the ball bearing and thrust plate with sapphire. I have found the correct size bearing, but am trying to source the thrust plate measurements so I can order the disc. Anyone have a link to the correct size? Thanks in advance.
 
GXKGator said:
Recently purchased a VPI HW-19 JR and have just ordered the MKIII platter. I was advised to replace the ball bearing and thrust plate with sapphire. I have found the correct size bearing, but am trying to source the thrust plate measurements so I can order the disc. Anyone have a link to the correct size? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I did similar to my Jr years ago, upgraded to a MK-IV Platter.

I assume you've likely ordered-bought a .250" Ceramic Bearing Ball, correct?

The stock Thrust Plate-Disc is Tungsten Carbide, quite hard at 92 Rockwell hardness. If you have inspected the Thrust Plate and there is basically no wear, you can leave it alone. That's what I did, simply replaced the Bearing Ball. And have had no problems.

The Thrust Plate-Disc which is as small as a Baby Aspirin is simply glued into the bottom Brass Plug. it can be removed and flipped over, and re-glued with a strong epoxy 2-part Glue. VPI still may have these correct size Thrust Plate Discs. I bought a couple spares myself once, have them somewhere, they were not expensive.

There is someone out there who will, or used to convert the VPI Bearing to Sapphire Thrust Plate with Ceramic Ball, Steven Leung. I believe he is also a Cartridge Repair-Re-tipper, VAS,

I think it unlikely to easily find a Thrust Pad that would be identical size elsewhere. That the bottom Brass Plug would likely have to be re-machined to accommodate the new Thrust Disc Pad.

What usually causes accelerated wear to these Bearings is lack of periodic lubrication.

(Edit) I should note in the attached Vinylengine thread, this Bearing appears to be an Inverted Bearing, and not what is commonly found on the HW-19 Table, so if you;re wondering why your Bearing doesn't look like this one, that is why)

vasnyinc.com

Phono Cartridge Repair & Retipping Service | VAS Audio

VAS offers professional phono cartridge repair and retipping services for those in need of a rebuild.
vasnyinc.com vasnyinc.com

 
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GXKGator said:
Recently purchased a VPI HW-19 JR and have just ordered the MKIII platter. I was advised to replace the ball bearing and thrust plate with sapphire. I have found the correct size bearing, but am trying to source the thrust plate measurements so I can order the disc. Anyone have a link to the correct size? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Again, you have the new Bearing Ball. Next step is inspection. Disassemble, fully clean the parts.

One can clean the Bearing Well to a very good extent with a bunch of long tipped Q-Tip Swabs. And a chemical like Naptha (Lighter Fluid). Think of the Well being like a Gun Barrel. Object is to of course remove any old lubes, and any other caca that might be down there.

You can see-examine the condition of the lower Thrust Pad without removal of the Bottom Brass Plug with proper lighting and a good eye.

There's also the upper Thrust Collar Bearing that also can wear, as well as the Bearing Shaft. Only clean-lube.

Mobile 1 is the oil of choice. Use it judiciously. Only takes 4-5 drops max total to properly lube a HW-19 Bearing.

Very lightly coat the Bearing Shaft with your finger, lightly lube the upper bushing collar-bearing, again a finger will suffice, and drip 2-3 drops max down into the bearing well. That's it!

Give the Platter and Bearing time-patience to slowly re-seat itself. If you find such difficult, you've then applied too much Oil.

Also, when mounting the Bearing Well to Plinth with Screws if this Bearing Well has a 3 screw attachment method, insure that no screws interfere with the Bearing Shaft Hub-Flange when it is fully seated.

You surely don't want mounting screws interfering with the Bearing Shaft. This adjustment of clearance can be altered-adjusted to a degree by loosening or tightening the Bottom Brass Plug to achieve proper "ride height" of the Bearing Shaft within the Bearing Well.

Also insure that with the new Bearing Ball, that it remains seated as you insert the Bearing Shaft into the Bearing Well.

Simple fix as myself and others do, put a very little dab of synth grease to retain the ball into the Shaft depression-hole.
 
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I know your one unanswered question is, "Does Steve Lueng have the correct size Sapphire Thrust Pad Discs required for any/all of the HW-19 Bearings?

That I'm unsure of? Might need some further mods done to work-fit properly.

Would be nice to be wrong. One way to find out, is ask?
 
Thanks a ton Mark for your tips. I found the correct size sapphire plate (.10mm if anyone is wondering). I also reached out to VPI and they’ve been great.

I saw you own an SDS system as well. If I was planning on spending a little bit more to upgrade things curious if you think that’s a good way to kick things off. I fear they pop up pretty rarely whereas I could always find another cartridge, etc.
 
GXKGator said:
Thanks a ton Mark for your tips. I found the correct size sapphire plate (.10mm if anyone is wondering). I also reached out to VPI and they’ve been great.

I saw you own an SDS system as well. If I was planning on spending a little bit more to upgrade things curious if you think that’s a good way to kick things off. I fear they pop up pretty rarely whereas I could always find another cartridge, etc.
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It's common these belt drive Tables have speed errors in varying amounts. Such depends mostly upon small platter-pulley diameter variations. Another could be slight variances in AC Line Frequency.

If all sounds correct as far as speed-tempo to you, and by confirmation with a strobe disc, and things look pretty good, you can perhaps forego the SDS.

My HW-19 was slow enough that I could hear it. Strobe Disc of course then confirmed it.

Besides providing speed adjustment, the SDS was also a Line Conditioner, and could ramp down voltage after start up provided to the motor.
 
New VPI Avenger MC phono stage. Interesting.

www.vpiindustries.com

Avenger Phono | VPI Industries

www.vpiindustries.com www.vpiindustries.com

hifichicken.com

(Review) VPI Avenger Phono Stage – A Reference Level Phono Stage - Hifi Chicken

As you probably saw, we came home with a carload of gear from Capital Audiofest last fall, and among that haul was the new VPI Avenger Phono. This phono stage is so new it's not yet commercially available, though you should start to see them available here soon. The Avenger Phono is an MC-only...
hifichicken.com hifichicken.com

www.vpiindustries.com

HW Review #5 -Gary Koh’s No-Loading Genesis Phono Section

There are times in this hobby when we run into a match made in heaven. It does not happen often, and sometimes it is only because it is new and we are excited, but sometimes it is real and makes a huge difference in our perception of reproduced music. The synergy between components is something...
www.vpiindustries.com www.vpiindustries.com

www.genesisloudspeakers.com

Phono Pre-Amp | Genesis Adv Tech

The Genesis Phono Pre-Amp - simplicity and perfection. As simple as possible but no simpler.
www.genesisloudspeakers.com www.genesisloudspeakers.com
 
Gurus:

I recently acquired an Aries 1 and am in the process of going over everything to ensure working condition. When inspecting the bearing, I noticed a flat spot on the ball- new ball ordered. Upon cleaning and inspecting the well, there does not seem to be a thrust plate down there. According to the VPI site, the Aries 1 used a tungsten carbide thrust plate. As I have nothing to measure, does anyone know the correct size for the plate? I am planning on replacing with a sapphire plate. I did try to e-mail VPI (admittedly on a different issue) and received a message saying they were responding to a flood and have not received anything in the two weeks since.

Thanks in advance!
 
My Hw19 ran a tad slow, a bit of nail polish and a black sharpie on the pulley makes it run dead-on 33.33rpm. Does anyone else have a scout platter on their HW19? It was the single best upgrade to my Hw19.
 
Here is a question for VPI owners. I use a TNT 5 in my main system - I wondered how that still stacks up with the newer tables like the ones mentioned earlier in this thread? I've been very happy with mine
 
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