SDS or phono stage

IMO, Add SDS or other motor controller.

I'm not familiar with the phono stage in your integrated amp, but the SDS made a big positive difference in my VPI rig.

I brought an SDS based on advice from Music Direct and I have an outboard phono stage. The separates help with isolation and have a certain cool factor in my opinion. Both components offer more control over how one sets up his/her system and offers more choices.

I had a Scoutmaster(very nice table for the money) & I did not realize the speed was spot on until I purchased the SDS. I should have purchased a strobe first and saved my money. I am now using a rim drive HRX and the turntable would be useless without the SDS. If I remember correctly the SDS also does some power conditioning but I plug everything into a couple big Equi=Techs so the bottom line is on my Scoutmaster the SDS was not needed.

Add SDS. As others will agree, the SDS is a major upgrade for HW-19 or Scout tables. There is a reason VPI sells the SDS with the high end tables from the get go.