VPI HW-19 stand alone motor (SAMA) upgrade

[TroyD]

Well, I did it.

I bit the bullet and sprung for the isolated motor upgrade for my turntable. Now, I KNOW that vibration is the bane of hifi in general and vinyl in particular. However, I'd been skeptical about the isolated motor as, well, to be honest my table, IMO, sounded pretty damn good to start with and I've observed the standard motor and didn't think it was that bad....

Anyhow, I sprung for it. It was an easy install. unscrew the old motor from the base, remove it and set the new motor underneath, it just doesn't touch the plinth at all. Splice the power switch cable...line it up...put the table back together and VIOLA.

Again, I'm not a night and day believer however the improvment is nothing short of dramatic. The music itself is unchanged. It didn't change the overall tone at all. What it DID do is add bass weight, definition (in spades) and more impact. Also, the background is so much quiter. It's got more breakin to go and so forth but, I just wanted to share. I'm pleasantly surprised.

BDT

[Kim]

Is your table a HW-19Jr, MKII, III, or IV? I have a MKIV and was considering this upgrade. Do you still encounter a loud turn off "transient" when you turn off the motor? This is the one thing I have never liked about my table

[TroyD]

I've got the MK III.....I'm considering the MKIV upgrade as well which from what I can tell is upgrading from the spring suspension to sorbothane pucks (which I have) and the 20lb platter. 700 bucks is steep though for a platter...

I was amazed at how much noise that motor generated through the table though.

I didn't have the transient with the old motor, I've got it in spades with the SAMA though.

What arm/cartridge are you using?

BDT

[Kim]

I have an SME 309 with a Denon DL 301 cartridge that is paired up to an Audio Research PH-3. I have also used the Denon DL 160 high output moving coil cartridge. This cartridge, for the money, is a great sounding cartridge!! Granted it is no Shelter 901, but at least you don't have to track it at 2 + grams.

Can you say vinyl shavings?

You might want to give Harry a call, because you may be able to install a small value cap across the contacts of the switch to lower or eliminate the turn on and off transients. If I remember correctly, I believe the capacitor value was around .01 to .001 mfd at 630 Volts.

[TroyD]

Sounds like a GREAT setup. True enough re the 901, not all of us are big pimps like Ken is. ;)

I'll look into that as the transient is pretty harsh....

BDT

[Kim]

Big Daddy Ken makes all the bucks....

[TroyD]

My theory is that the whole Matt in the labcoat idea was inspired by Ken. Only Ken has a silk smoking jacket and a big ol' fuzzy pimp style fedora.

BDT

[Kim]

I think his nickname is Huggy Bear...

[reeltrouble1]

You are my Hero BDT (well really TLW).

You mean there is another BiG Daddy??? Waaaaa. Ken can be my Big Daddy anytime. I can imagine the silk with the suped up Reel To Reel. Hey, that would be a great handle. Never enough Reel's in the world now!!!

Not really a stretch for me to believe the sonic improvements of an isolated motor, way to go Troy, if you dont try you just never know.

And, you have to have stuff to try stuff.

RT1

[hearingimpared]

I've got the MK III.....I'm considering the MKIV upgrade as well which from what I can tell is upgrading from the spring suspension to sorbothane pucks (which I have) and the 20lb platter. 700 bucks is steep though for a platter...

I was amazed at how much noise that motor generated through the table though.

I didn't have the transient with the old motor, I've got it in spades with the SAMA though.

What arm/cartridge are you using?

BDT


Did the sorbothane pucks make a big difference? What/where was the improvement? I was looking at that as well as the cones and I was afraid the sorbothane would deaden the intended resonance of the table and make the overall sound muddy.

[TroyD]

I don't know, I've always used the sorbothane. I've got the springs but have never used them. I'm sorta a non-tweaker. If it ain't broken, I generally don't try to fix it.

BDT

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello,
Been using a Shelter 901 with a pair of Bent Audio TX-103 silver MC transformers. Very nice, makes records I thought were not very involving sound great. Been slowly reducing the loading of the 901 (Bent Audio gives you a bunch of metal film resistors to experiment) down to get the best balance. Then once you get to within a certain limit get some bulk foil Vishay reisitors to fine tune it. I just replaced the filter on my air compressor and the tone arm is floating like a butterfly!
Enjoy,
Audio Pimp Daddy

[TroyD]

I am in AWE.

Compared to the APD above, we are all listening to the equivalent of Fisher Price gear.

BDT

[hearingimpared]

I am in AWE.

Compared to the APD above, we are all listening to the equivalent of Fisher Price gear.

BDT

Troy, which tonearm / cart combo are you using on your MK III?

Thanks

BTW I've been reading the manual you sent thanks so much. I've decided that since the table hasn't been used for 20 some years that I am going to treat it, the SME V and the Talisman like new acquisitions and start from scratch setting everying up again. I'm just waiting on some Deoxit to clean up some of the oxidation that has built up.

[TroyD]

I've got the Rega RB300 / Dynavector 10x5 arm/cart combo. The arm has been rewired w/Nordost wiring and has an upgraded nub/counterweight. The guy I got it from was a mad tweaker as well.

BDT

[Kenneth Swauger]

Troy,
The Rega is an excellent arm, I believe it is cast in a single piece, instead of separate pieces put together. I can remember setting up the first Regaplaner turntables, way back when, and it sounded excellent. Right up there with the Linn, in my opinion. We would combine that with a Fidelity Research cartridge (the same designer as the Shelter carts), PS Audio integrated amp, a pair of Spica TC50 speakers on Chicago stands, Kimber 8TC speaker wire. Verra nice!
Ken

[hearingimpared]

I've got the Rega RB300 / Dynavector 10x5 arm/cart combo. The arm has been rewired w/Nordost wiring and has an upgraded nub/counterweight. The guy I got it from was a mad tweaker as well.

BDT

I've already made up my mind that if the Talisman Alchemist suspension is bad I am going for a Dynavector 10x5 cart. No-one is retipping the Alchemist anymore and even it they did it would cost way more than a new cartridge that could perform just as well.

[TroyD]

Thanks guys, I REALLY think that my whole setup blends well. I really have no desire to swap tables (unless I win the lotto OR find Ken's address). It's not perfect but it's musical as hell.

I think the Dynavector is a great cartridge, well reviewed and no real flaws that I can discern.

My next cartridge will probably be a lower output Dynavector and look into step up transformers.

BDT

[jm1]

I agree, the Dyanvector 10x5 is a great cartridge for the price. Now that I have more hours on mine, the sound is starting to become more neutral and dynamic. Highly recommend this cartridge.

[hearingimpared]

Well when I go to try out the Alchemist on an expendable LP, if I hear a little clink and watch the cantilever spinning on the record, I'll be on the horn to order the 10x5 pronto.