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
I did not like the sound of the aluminum platter (Classic) sans mat. I am using a Herbie's Audio Lab Way Excellent II which to my ears sounds way better than with no mat. I've gone back and forth a few times and this has confirmed my preference.
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The new aluminum plate uses the non inverted bearing.  Not sure if it could be damped better.  I am talking about the scout aluminum platter, not the Classic.  maybe a different mat?  we tried cork, felt, sorbothane... any recommendations?  With these mates, we could just not get rid of the hard sound especially at certain frequencies.  The acrylic works much better and you place the record directly on it
@tzh21y

The bearing type, as you point out, does matter in the context of comparing a VPI aluminum platter w/or w/o an aluminum platter.

I’ve found a mat material I love on my Classic 3 & my Townshend Rock 7. Two very different TTs and platters.

Even more, right now, I’m using a Funk Firm Achromat (5mm) w/ my thin (1mm) mat on my Rock 7 without a clamp and love it!