SCOUTMASTER TO ARIES 3

FWIW, Harry Pearson of TAS chose the Super Scoutmaster (SSM) and the TNT HR-X for "Golden Ear" awards. He chose the SSM over the various Aries tables, which I thought interesting. You might want to look at the article that Pearson wrote about the SSM before you make your buying decision.

Folks should keep in mind that when the first Scout was issued they were marketed as "Aries Scouts". They are part of the Aries family with a smaller footprint. The Aries 3 is coming out with a plinth design based on the Scoutmaster/Super Scoutmaster plinth. Both have as stock the same 300 rpm motor, they both offer variations on the theme of flywheel, no flywheel, dual HRX motor, etc. The Aries Black Knight (someone correct me if I am wrong) cannot accept the periphery ring. The larger clear acrylic platter of the Scoutmaster/Aries 2 can. The major difference between the Aries and the Scout/Master/SSM is the gloss black of the Aries, the larger footprint of the Aries and the ability to take the JMW 10.5 arm where the Scout series uses the JMW 9/9 Signature. people can argue all day as to which of the two is the better arm and both would be right.

I've just sent my 300 rpm motor from my ScoutMaster that is "tricked out" (JMW 9 Sig arm, SDS, center weight, outer ring) to VPI to be upgraded to their new single fly wheel motor combo. (see their web page for details). Mr. W told me that it will work with any VPI table that has a cut out for motor; Scouts, ScoutMasters and Aries.

I thought about selling table and upgrading to a Super ScoutMaster or Aries 3 but decided to upgrade the motor and spend the rest on all the vinyl I can get my hands on instead.

YMMV

Scubabiker
The motor/flywheel comes with a pair of belts, one from the motor pulley to the flywheel and a second from the flywheel to the platter. In fact, VPI will send you a second belt for the platter just for the asking as they find a second belt provides greater speed stability. Keep in mind gentlemen, and this is important, if you are going to add a flywheel, you MUST use some kind of speed controller. It is for this reason that any table VPI sells with the HR-x motor, i.e. SSM or HR-x comes with an SDS as stock. I use a PS Audio P500 for speed control. With the new upgrade, it is adjustable to a 1/16 of a Hz. Without a speed controller, the table will run slow. So anyone contemplating the motor/flywheel upgrade better account for a speed controller in the equation.

Triode123
The butcher block was custom made for me. Truth be told, it was made before I went with the motor/flywheel upgrade and now the rubber feet of the motor on the left side extend out slightly over the beveled edge. I can only hope it is not affecting the performance of the table. The motor is quite stable so I tend to doubt it.