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VPI Scout 1.1 parts to upgrade HW~19

I am on a quest to upgrade my HW-19. 

I’m looking at buying a Scout 1.1 and using the platter and tone arm on my HW-19 mkIII.

My current table has a rega rb300. I understand that the JMW-9T tone arm will fit the arm board drilled for the rega as they have identical measurements. Any thoughts about this? My intel on this.

I’m also wondering about the junction box? What is the best way to mount this? Mat from VPI has shared a similar upgrade before, but we never saw clearly how the box was mounted. Or ,more importantly, how the tone arm wire was connected? Video. And how does the anti-skate assembly work in this case? In the video (around 5:52), It looks like it is attached to the back of tonearm base? Is the anti-assembly necessary? 

The 1 3/8" thick Scout platter is a drop in replacement. If I upgrade the suspension using Herbies big and tall tender-feet the platter weight should be fine. 

Thanks for any help.


I’m using this image as inspiration.

[Image: 24831228_1766333486730947_40473016948644...e=62F62193]

kjim
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,511 posts
 

Does your current  table have the stainless steel/acrylic plinth? If not, the weight of the Classic platter is too much.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,386 posts
 

I think you're spinning your wheels with poor results at the end.

kjim OP
12 posts
 

Slaw, yes. It is an MkIII. So it has the stainless steel plinth. 
 

Stringreen, this table is famously…modifiable. You wouldn’t be the first to tell me, however that these are likely not actual upgrades. Do you have any suggestions for Sonic improvements to an HW-19?
 

 

slaw's avatar
slaw
20,511 posts
 

The HW series tables were/are very upgradeable, but it's a rabbit hole. 

If you're committed, the upgrade process is an interesting way to learn about the rewards of certain types of isolation/& resonance control.

 

 

 

frogman
7,376 posts
 

If you are buying a full Scout, make sure you first listen to it before cannibalizing its platter for use on the 19.  You may still like the 19 better.  I am curious as to why you would want to buy a Scout with the express purpose of using only its platter and arm instead of the entire thing.

Be careful about replacing the 19’s delrin/lead platter with the Scout’s metal platter.  The metal platter will have a very different tonal character which you may or may not like.  You MAY gain a little rotational inertia with the Scout platter’s additional 2-3 lbs, but the different tonal character will probably be much more of a concern.  The different arm is, of course, another variable.  I can’t comment on the Scout’s arm, but I do know that the Rega is a pretty good arm.

If you want to substantially improve the 19 while retaining its general tonal signature (assuming you like it already and just want to improve matters) there are two things that you can do.  The 19 MK IV platter is a significant improvement in the area of speed stability and bass solidity while retaining the basic tonal character.  Personally, I would start there and try and find one.  In my opinion the biggest improvement of all would be an SDS motor controller.  Very significant improvement across the board; regardless or platter used.  

Good luck.

 

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