2. analog
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aluminum platter vs Acrylic not what I thought

I recently got to hear a VPI scout with an aluminum platter and various platter mats.  I am having a hard time trying to understand where the fascination with aluminum is coming from.  The acrylic sounds far better.  Its not even close to my ears.  Is it that some people just never heard the scout with the acrylic platter?  I would strongly encourage anyone who is looking for a used scout with an acrylic platter to really take a good look at it.  It sounds much more like real music and for what these used scouts are going for, they are an incredible value.  Maybe its just system/cartridge synergy.  I actually thing the scout with the acrylic platter sounds just as good if not better and quieter than the classic with the aluminum platter.  The scout sounds more like an older Aries than the Classic does.  The advantage of the classic is the longer arm but I mean for many people, I am not sure you can do much better table than the scout with the acrylic platter for anywhere near to what they go for used and I would say they you could look at tables costing much more and still not get the music satisfaction in many ways that the scout accomplishes.  They just seem to portray the musical experience in a way that sounds right.  Aries and scoutmasters with acrylic have to sound killer.  The only platter that is as good that VPI made are there lead and hybrid metal aluminum/acrylic platter tables.  I think VPI is going in the wrong direction with aluminum.  To me the disadvantages far outweigh the benefits.  Others may disagree but if you find scout w/acrylic for a good deal, I would be all over it.  Sometimes you just don't know what ya have so I will probably hang on to mine for a while.
tzh21y
engineears
39 posts
 
So, if I’m looking for a lead-acrylic VPI table with a 12-inch transcription arm, what models am I searching for?

Are there others that represent great performance at a similar price point? I do like the idea of delrin or olefin as a platter material, especially with a lead or similar outer ring for a flywheel effect.
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If I could have any turntable right now, it would be a Townshend Rock 7 with the white (delrin?) platter and the wild damping trough for the cartridge/arm. I love the idea of an arm that resists side to side waggle and therefore allows the cantilever to capture the full swing of bass movements. Granted, you would absolutely have to redrill any off-center albums or the wow/flutter would be off the charts. Come to think of it, that trough would be child's play to 3D print. hmm...
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,953 posts
 
engineears---No need to redrill off-center LP holes for the Townshend trough; the side-to-side movement of the arm/cartridge is at a low enough frequency to be unaffected by the damping fluid in the trough. The fluid’s viscosity was chosen to allow for slow (low frequency) movement, but prevent rapid (higher frequency). The same is true of the goo in the bearing well of the Well Tempered Arm. The Townshend trough, by the way, was offered separately by Max in the 1990’s, for installation of tables other than his. I have one I’m going to mount on a VPI.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,486 posts
 
TZH21....put the record on the bare Classic platter....no mat.  Use the center weight and peripheral ring.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
We did try putting record on bare platter.  this is not the Classic platter.  Although, that one may be better damped.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
according to my friend, where VPI has made improvements is in their Pivot bearing.  He said it is different than earlier models and is a large improvement.  He lent it to me to listen to with the the newer stainless arm.  he said that the scout with the acrylic platter and the Newer arm and bearing is the scout to have.   
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