Technics SL-1200 vs. Scoutmaster

I was just getting ready to respond to your other post when I saw this one, so here goes. Sell the Scoutmaster, not because it's a bad table but if you want to change arms it is time to move on. The Scoutmaster is IMO, the sweet spot of the VPI line and I am a VPI guy who loves their unipivot design after living with them for almost 2 decades. I too have been looking into the new Technics 1200 series of tables to replace a Rega RP3 in my headphone system that I have been enjoying music with but have bumped it's potential without crazy upgrades that aren't cost effective. I will be watching the classifieds in hopes of finding a Scoutmaster like yours for sale at a reasonable price, so I do have interior motives with my response. Enjoy the music

OP has a really confusing post. There is no Technics 1200. There is a 1200GR2, and the twice as expensive 1200G. I have not heard the G, but owned the original, made in Japan GR, and I did not care for the sound.

A kind of bigger issue may be ergonomics, where the VPIs are tweaker turntables for those who enjoy adjusting, and Technics are, pretty much, set and forget. The 78 speed, and fine speed control, on the Technics is also fantastic, a great opportunity to embrace the joys of 78s. Much better ergonomics than the VPI, IMHO. After market adaptor plates to change tonearms are made for both 1200 models, but it is a bit of a job to take off the bottom plate and mount them. I believe you would be limited to 9" tonearms with the adaptor plates.

So, before I drop a bunch of cash on a new arm, what would I notice going to a 1200?  I've heard they're not quite as inky black quiet as the VPI, and not quite as much low-end.  Any truth to that?

@mezz955 If you're talking about the Technics SL1200G, no;  its one of the better turntables made. Its quieter than the Scoutmaster and has no problems playing bass.

Its weakness is its platter pad which is a bit of junk. So if you really want to hear what this 'table is about the pad needs to be replaced with something competent (the Oracle platter pad is one of the best we've heard).

I commented on your other post. Agree with @tooblue the Scountmaster is a nice table, but shoe-horning a different brand of arm onto it can get messy. I’m also fond of VPI’s metal unipivots, but its later versions / incarnations are much better - with VTA base and telecsoping arm tube (e.g. Classic 3). Being a simple unipivot it’s limited in what kind of cartrtidges it matches well to, but even there you can mitigate this somewhat with the "Dual Pivot" add-on mod - helps a lot with Koetsu, which likes more stability than the bare unipivot provides. The VTA base also provides the option for mechanical anti-skate.

So for one, you could simply upgrade the VPI unipivot! I think it could solve your main cited issue(s). In regards to the Technics:

I’ve heard they’re not quite as inky black quiet as the VPI, and not quite as much low-end. Any truth to that?

Frankly, I’d be surprised if the Technics had a deficiency in noise floor compared to VPI. As for the low-end claim - truthfully, I believe VPI’s enhanced sense of bass response comes down to their plinths and tonearms being rather "reactive" to mechanical feedback in the bass region. I’d be hesitant to call that a "feature" rather than a "bug" (quirk?). It’s also much more reactive when fitted with their 3D printed arms. Hence why I ended up preferring the later-make metal wands, which also have a better build quality IMO.

I had a Scout for 10 years, a Prime for 2+ years and went to the Technics SL1200G and am loving it.  It is quieter than the VPI, the arm is a joy to set up and use and the bass is nice and deep.  I play more vinyl than ever before and I own 3 cartridges for it.  The removable headshell makes life easy.  

Go with the 1200. It has one of the lowest noise floors in the industry and maintains absolute perfect speed. You’ll notice a substantial difference when listening to music with sustained piano and such. 

I have a Superscoutmaster with Classic platter, rim drive, dual pivot, etc.   Its hard to get a better table than this

@atmasphere, are you referring to the Oracle hard acrylic mat?  Do you know that that weighs and the thickness?

Thanks

@pryso 'Yes' and 'no'.

I do know the weight is no concern for the SL1200 at all. The thickness is a concern since the center spindle is too short. So you can use a record weight but not a clamp.

@mezz955 It really depends on which 1200 you are talking about. There are the older versions, then 5 new versions of the 1200. If you are referring to the new 1200G, then yes would be a big upgrade. The only drawback to the G is the shorter spindle length. If you go the G route would also suggest the arm dampener from KAB as well as the arm resonance cap. Did a very similar move a few years ago. I liked the G so much I jumped into the 1000R. 

@johnss "I liked the G so much I jumped into the 1000R.” +1

I have SL1200GAE and SP10R in SH5 super-heavy stone body + EPA100MK2 arm.. sp10r studio monster is unbeatable in speed/wow/flutter/bass!