Turntable suggestions for a newbie


Hello all. Beginning my journey into analog. I've recently gotten some advice on here in regards to my integrated tube amp selection. I may be going about things backwards, but here's where I'm at now. I'm 99% in on the Raven Blackhawk as my amp.  At Ravens suggestion I've purchased the Schiit Skoll as my phono stage. So now I'm looking at tables. I've narrowed it down to 3 although I'm open to suggestions.  Here they are in order:

1)VPI Scout 21

2)MoFi ultra deck

3)Michell Technodec 

The VPI is 1 because it looks bad ass and has really good reviews. Draw back is that it doesn't include a cart so is getting a little pricey for me with the additional cost of a cart. Not to mention that I'm not sure where to start as far as carts go. The MoFi is intriguing because it can be purchased with their ultra gold cart for less than the cost of the VPI. Looks are but not as nice as the VPI. Both are USA  made. Third choice is the Michell.  Looks great too. No cart either. It seems like the VPI is also upgradable. One concern that I have is that whatever table I choose will be placed on my council next to my center channel with L and R towers and a sub on either side.  Not really any other options unfortunately. The VPI and the Michell have isolated drives. My concern is that the the table location will be prone to vibration and may effect any table with an isolated drive.  Is this a legit concern?  Center channel wouldnt be used while listening to LPs.  Would an isolation platter mitigate any adverse effects from adjacent towers and subs?  Am I over thinking this?....

sandrodg73

Thanks. I think I'm over the vpi thing now.  The unipivot kinda scared me off. The isolated drive also is a bit impractical for my real world scenario. So that's another mark against vpi and kinda rules out the Michell Technodec.  I'm now on to Rega or EAT or a used Avid Volvere if the price is right.  My default is think will still be MoFi.....maybe.  this kinda sucks but fun at the same time. I'm driving the wife nuts.  Thanks for everyone's input. I

I’ve had several VPI TTs and would recommend them.

I’ve got a Prime 21 with a gimbal arm but wouldn’t be scared of the Unipivot.

I run a Soundsmith Zephyr MI cart but the Otello would be a good cart to go with.

Go with a VPI…

Scout is a turntable. There is no reason you could not mount a non-original (that is, a tonearm that is not unipivot) on a Scout TT. Dozens of tonearms qualify.