Traditional, handsome looks, simple unit with robust build quality, fine sound

Quite large

I wanted peace of mind...a new table/arm/cartg with good sound, good build quality, nice looks, warranty, and a decent price. Well, I got it. This table is fitted with the new, upscale Audioquest PT-9+ (Anaconda DIN phono) arm, and a new Shure V15 Type VxMR cartg. The build quality is robust but simple. The arm is nicely machined and moves like butter. And, the cartg has a nice, musical balance and matches well with the VPI/AQ combo. You can spend more money for a little more refinement, but, you then start to realize "diminishing returns" big time.

Similar Products Used:

Sota Star III/SME, AR ETL-1/Premier MMT, Thorens TD2001/TP90, Thorens TD125/SME 3009MkII

Like many of you I am an Audio Enthusiast on a budget (a grad student). It was time to upgrade my turntable and I waited for that bargain Rega or Sota in the Recycler and at Audio shops. One day I came across a used VPI Jr with Audioquest arm for a price I won't specify (but the Grado cartridge I need to go with it costs the same!).
The bottom line: The VPI Jr could be the best bargain for the money, a true entry into the Audiophile category. The first thing that I realized was how close the turntable brought me to a completely black canvas. Using a test record, the amount of audible rumble was well below what is considered acceptable. Remember, what the turntable costs even at a retail price. Because of its lack of internal spring suspension, I still need to make additional improvements to its environment in order to further reduce noise, but the amount I get does not warrant spending an extra grand or two!

The VPI is also easy to set up and the Audioquest arm requires little maintenance. Anti-skating and other adjustments are easy.

My experience with it (don't laugh) has been with a Grado Prestige Green cartridge which is temporary until I upgrade to probably a Grado Platinum. The table is a true test of my other weak links in the system such as the cartridge, and begs for a phono-preamp upgrade (from my Audio Alchemy VAC in the box) to a tube unit.

My friend who I would classify as an Audiophile (instead of myself who is yet to graduate to that level) owns a Sota Sapphire and is jealous of the two-piece clamp which he has to pay extra to obtain for his table. He was amazed at how similar the half-priced VPI is, and claimed the difference in the size of the sound-stage was certainly due to the lack of a reference cartridge.

Want a Sota, Well-Tempered, etc....pay a couple of grand...for under a thousand you get the same performance and I honestly feel you'll need Class A or B components to hear the difference between the VPI and other more expensive units.

It's hard to separate all the components for a review since they are all operating together. Nevertheless, I'll try to say something useful about the VPI HW-19 jr.
I want to start out saying I bought the turntable with a Moerch UP-4 tonearm with the silver wire. I also have a Sumiko Blue Point which I took from my last table (a Dual). Again, I'm not just listening to the turntable, I'm listening to all three components.

I can tell you, however, that with the same cartridge, I'm not only extracting more information, detail, from the record, but the background of the music is quiet. Dead quiet. It's hard to imagine, but I hadn't noticed that there must have been some kind of noise floor going on with the Dual. It wasn't inordinately noisy or anything. But suddenly it's like going from smoky black, which you think IS black, particularly if you've been used to that as black for twenty years, to going to PITCH black. They're both black, but there's suddenly an enormous depth or void from which the slightest sounds can be generated.

There is also much more weight to the music. More dynamics. It's been quite revelatory for me. A great value for the money, particularly 'cause there doesn't seem to be much competition at this price range. (The Basic 1400? Add dust cover and record clamp, both supplied with the VPI, and you're talking almost $1000 more.)

I bought a VPI 19 jr. with the Mk. 3 platter and an Audioquest Pt-6 tonearm.I took my old 50 dollar Grado cartridge from a Sota Moonbeam and was happy.
Months later I bought a Grado Sonata. Now we are talkin! Man the warm- all
over analog sound is absolutely fantastic. CD's? I don't need no stinkin'
CD's. Now, I've heard the same table with a Blue Point, but it ain't nothin
like this. This to me proves that the table is a great performer because
we can swap cartridge for cartridge and easily tell differences between them.
I look forward to further upgrade my modest investment into an even better
'table. Then i'll kick it up another notch, the TNT jr. Yeah Baby!

I finally broke down and got a "real" turntable. Was using a 5yr old Onkyo DD with my Shure V-MR, thinking I was getting a decent sound. My audiophile wonk friends said I was playing my vinyl on a "piece of s*&^". So, I upgraded to the Jr. with the VPI-MM arm.
I was astounded. Suddenly, I was getting amazing soundstaging. Vinyl like Thomas Dolby's "Golden Age of Wireless" sounded live. I took out Don Fagen's "Nightfly" for a spin and sat transfixed until the leadout groove took over. So smooth. The mids were amazing. Of course, you need to be a moderately critical listener to appreciate and know what to look for. But the improvement was unmistakable.

However, I had some problems with my Jr. setup. The center spindle wasn't attached correctly to the acrylic platter and AudioAdvisors cheerfully replaced it (but that was a royal pain). Then my tone-arm lift started to malfunction (again another call to the polite people at AA fixed that; though I'd wish that VPI's own instructions had been more complete).

The VPI is currently attached to a Nak RE-2 with Definitive DR-7/SMs. But both will be upgraded shortly.

I bought the Jr. used for a great price along with the VPI PLC (Power Line Conditioner.)with the PT-6 tonearm. I cannot stress how much a difference the PT-8 upgrade has made. At first I thought that an expensive piece of wire would make no difference, but I was very wrong. The minute I hooked up the PT-8 upgrade I noticed a dramatic difference. I remaster alot of records to cd, the sound is incredible, and my customers agree! I find that alot of mass produced cd's are very sterile and not musical at all. I find that the Jr. adds life to the music again. I am also a recording engineer. Out of all the equipment I have purchased, I feel this purchase has been a steal! I absolutly love this table for the money. If you have a vinyl collection and not a whole lot of money this is the table for you.

I've rarely made a purchase that has given me more pleasure. I bought a new HW-19 Jr. with the Mk. III platter, and I use a Goldring 1042 cartridge (I'd recommend the OEM version sold as the Audio Note IQ/2 over the one I have--it sounds a little better and it's actually _cheaper_!) in the Audioquest PT-8 arm.
The thing I wanted to say is that if anybody reading this has this turntable and this arm, be SURE to get the PT-8 upgrade (the only difference between the PT-6 and PT-8 is that the latter has better wires). I listened with the PT-6 tonearm cable for several months and then got the upgrade. Was pretty grumpy hooking it up, wondering if I'd hear a difference. Wow--no problem. The difference is LARGE. I'd suggest you run, don't walk, to get it. You won't regret it.

Overall I really love this turntable--sounds great and gives me pleasure every time I use it. 4 stars for sound quality (leaving room for the megabuck tables), extra star for gut pleasure.

i think if you have audiophile tastes but hamburger budjet this table will fit your needs. i have down graded to this table and have lived with it for years with no regrets, but now i have been bit by the audio bug and want to build another system and need to upgrade this piece. if anyone is interested please mail me for info. 5 stars for the price 3.5 compared to all that i have heard.(never heard one worth a true 5 stars)

Great sound!
Easy to set up.
Relatively maintenance free.

Allen head screw for VTA adjustment is a weak link.

Overall a great table for the $$$. Easily capable of delivering more than most of my vinyl (rock) can deliver. Really shines on classical. I'm curious about the PT-8 upgrade and somewhat skeptical. Maybe I can find a dealer who will loan me one to try.

Associated equipment includes PT-6 tonearm, Audio Technica AT-OC9 Moving Coil (low output) cartridge, Bryston BP12 preamp, HW-16.5 Cleaning Machine.

Reserving 5 star overall rating for top end equipment.

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Sony Biotracer 150
Micro Seiki direct drive