Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: VPI HW-19 jr. (w/MK III platter) Turntables by Jeff B

I have owned this machine for about 1 1/2 years now and I couldn't be more happy. No regrets whatsoever. It has certainly delivered a level of music reproduction that has far surpassed my previous turntable (the Dual 502). LP surfaces that are clean and without surface imperfections come across absolutely quiet, some as quiet as compact disc reproduction.

Meanwhile, music is rich, and fairly full-bodied (excellent inner harmonics), and has very satisfying weight. Extremely wide soundstage and excellent dynamics are conveyed through the table as well. Very importantly, inner harmonic detail, particularly in the upper mid-range through high end, is delivered without clarity and without congestion.

I chose the table with the MK III platter instead of the Jr. platter after recommendation from my dealer. He told me that the platter delivers much of the improvement of the full-blown MK III. The MK III costs $600 more!

Of course, one of the nice things about VPI is upgradeability. By purchasing the MK III platter from the start, it cost me only $100 more, the difference between the two platters. While the Jr. platter is a 6 pound platter machined from a solid piece of Acrylic, the MK III platter is a 10 pound Acrylic platter with lead weights inside the circumference. Not only does this add mass, but it adds it at the edge which adds to the flywheel effect. The more stable the platter's rotation, the better the bass is.

Build quality is superb. Far better than the Rega or Pro-ject tables which are the next rung down from the VPI. The VPI HW-19 jr. is really the entry into the big leagues. While the Rega Planar 3 weighs in at 12 pounds, the VPI weighs in at 45! The Jr. comes with a 1 inch thick MDF plinth isolated by sorbethane pucks. If you think they're merely cutting corners by using sorbethane, the Aries and TNT Jr. use sorbethane as well. The MK III, by the way, substitutes an acrylic/steel plinth and armboard, as well as springs for the sorbethane. Some feel that that sorbethane works better than the springs in some sonic areas (though there are some who prefer the springs).

Anyway, while the VPI HW series does not look like some gorgeous work of art, it's nothing to sneeze at in the looks department either. Real wood bases come in a variety of woods and looks. I chose black colored oak. Natural Oak, Walnut, and piano black are also available.

The bottom line here is that there is really nothing in the same league as the VPI HW-19 jr. at the moment. While Pro-ject has come in with a complete table and arm combination (the Perspective) at $999, it's not upgradeable and their tables have never had the build quality of the VPI.

When you go to higher price points like the MK III, sure there are competitors there like the Rega Planar 25, the Basis 1400, and the Michell Mycros. These are certainly all tables that are worthy of serious consideration; but if your budget can only justify spending $1000 or under complete, the VPI is the only real deal.

REVIEW: VPI HW-19 jr. (w/MK III platter) Turntables Review by Jeff B at Audio Asylum