SOTA vs VPI (or stick with my Rega?)

There is a like new Scoutmaster for sell on Canuck mart with the 10 inch arm for around $1,600.00  american that would be very hard to beat.

@gritter2 I

In my opinion, there is another option you might consider....

Search around for an early (v1 or v2) VPI Aries or Aries Extended (MUCH preferred).  t might take a little while since, even used, these early Aries are in pretty high demand.   Put the Aries on Bear Claws or Stillpoint cones. (hard isolators, not rubber or soft material)  If the motor ends up a little too low, put it in a paperback book (will isolate vibrations from the motor.).  As an option, place the entire system on a large, thick maple butcher block.  

And yes, @tooblue has found a gem.  The SCoutmaster for $1600 is a great deal.  Be prepared to put that table on Bear Claws or Stillpoint Cones in the same way as the description of the Aries setup.  VPI cone/feet don't work very well.

@gritter2 - having gone down the road you are considering here is a link to all of the mods I completed on my Rega Planar II

http://image99.net/blog/files/category-turntable-mod0027s.html

Basically - I have replaced EVERYTHING! - the only thing left is the cover and the on/off switch.

It sounds fantastic, but it was a very long and $$$ journey - however I learned a lot along the way

Would I do it again? - NO

I've not heard VPI or SOTA TT's, but I think I might lean towards those brands

Another fine looking TT is the Music Hall mmf 7.3 - I think this would get a lot of my attention

Having said that - the best Rega mod's I have tried (in order) are...
- Audiomods Classic II tonearm
- ISOsub GT 2 S UPGRADE SUB PLATTER  Upgrade
- SRM/TECH Acrylic Platter  Upgrade

Hope that does not muddy the waters for you :-)

Regards - Steve

I went from a Rega Planar 2 with a DV 23R to a SOTA Sapphire III with a Magnepan Unitrac I and another DV 23R.  I've never looked back.  Never had to add any tweaks; the suspension is nearly faultless and the build quality is superb.  Playback is neutral and fully detailed.  I use the Reflex clamp which seems to do pretty well and went with a Vinyl Flat instead of going to a vacuum system.  Way less expensive and much more compact;-)

SOTA is great to work with, too.  When my Unitrac died, they made it very easy and inexpensive for me to refurb the table to take advantage of the Graham Phantom I'd decided to go with.  Got the series V platter and bearing, a custom arm board and new suspension.  With the DV XX2 Mk II, I feel like I'm extracting just about everything that's on the vinyl.

You pays your monies and takes your chances, but I strongly recommend the value proposition that SOTA delivers.  That said, both VPI and SOTA are outstanding tables and you won't go wrong with either one.

Good luck & happy listening!