2. analog
  3. 137277-112139

LOOKING TO MAKE A TURNTABLE CHANGE, HOPEFULLY AN IMPROVEMENT

 I started with a VPI Scout, and then upgraded to a VPI Scoutmaster. I find the sound of my CD collection to be superior. Vinyl advocates insist that I am missing the boat and claim vinyl delivers the sonic goods.
 I was advised that the acrylic platter that came with my Scoutmaster was the reason the sound was not up to par.
 The cost to upgrade the Scoutmasster with  a steel platter and bearing is $1000.00.  Not looking
 to spend any more money with VPI. Not knocking their products, just have spent much money with them with
 less than expected results. Assuming I wish to listen to my 180-200 gram vinyl recordings I am looking for
 alternatives. I wish to stay loyal to my audio dealer who is always there to help me. He sells Project, VPI and
 Thorens. I would sell my Scoutmaster which should net me about $1000.00, and I would put $1500.00 of my own
money toward a new turntable.  Any thoughts?  Thank you in advance.  Note: I am sure VPI makes a wonderful
product, but I have not perfsonally had a great audio experience. 
kjl1065
wcfeil
464 posts
 
Not listened to the new VPI stuff. I run a Triplanar 7, Dynavector 507 II, Basis Vector, and Hadcock 242 which after 55 years in the hobby are the end of the line for me. 

I have no interest in any changes. Thank you. 

jperry
2,485 posts
 
@glennewdick +1

You can get a 401 and a base with a Jelco tonearm which would be a huge improvement, then upgrade to a great arm like Graham, Triplanar, Kuzma, EMT etc for another huge improvement.

My Garrard 301 was one of the best changes I made to my system,
although upgrading a Rega tonearm to a Basis Vector tonearm was a close second.
pops
2,283 posts
 
+1 jperry. Upgrading my tonearm to a Basis Vector 4 was the biggest single upgrade I have made.  Much to my surprise!
jperry
2,485 posts
 
@pops Thanks, I was as surprised as you. It changed my entire view of component heirarchy in the analog world. 
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,223 posts
 
Between your dealer’s VPI, Project, and Thorens, sticking with that Scoutmaster is really the best choice. Sound like you’ve perhaps got a bad mechanical/electrical mismatch somewhere in the chain, or a significant cartridge/arm setup issue, or maybe the cartridge itself isn’t up to snuff.

I got into vinyl 11 years ago with a used SOTA Star, Fidelity Reasearch arm, used Dynavector P75 phono stage, and new Benz Glider L2 cartridge for 3200 bucks total outlay - and it annihilated the digital options in that price range, at that time (killed my Meridian G08). This should still mostly be the case, if you get good matches & alignments, and a good enough cartridge.

I have a buddy running a Scoutmaster with 3D arm, Ortofon Jubilee, Rogue Ares, and he prefers it to the PS Audio DirectStream DAC.
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