2. analog
  3. 137985-109343

VPI Prime or Scout or ???

Hi all,

I’m new to record players. I’ve always been a digital music person. That said, I’ve got s nice setup now and am looking for a record player for occasional records. I won’t be too serious about it and digital will remain my main source.

i know with some of the higher end players there is a learning curve but was hoping for something not too difficult to learn.

Being from NJ, I was pretty interested in VPI. I’m not sure I quite understand the differences between the Prime and Prime Scout. The Prime would probably be near the top of my budget. Also, I have no idea which cartridge to get. 

For context, I’ll mostly be listening to vintage jazz and rock. The turntable would feed into the Phono stage of my Mytek Manhattan. Any suggestions welcome! There is a pretty good deal on a Prime Scout I’m looking at so that’s why I figured I’d ask the experienced people here.
Ag insider logo xs@2xmayoradamwest
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
The regas are very good, however they are limited by the arm.  with as good as t he arm is, it does not allow for critical VTA adjustment, so you are limited to certain cartridge designs.  That being said, if you like one of those cartridges, The RP8, for example, is just a great table for the money, hell, the RP6 is as well.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
The regas are very good, however they are limited by the arm.  with as good as t he arm is, it does not allow for critical VTA adjustment, so you are limited to certain cartridge designs.  That being said, if you like one of those cartridges, The RP8, for example, is just a great table for the money, hell, the RP6 is as well.
bpoletti
1,552 posts
 
My opinion based on years of experience....

Let's compare rega tables against similarly priced competition.  Sine they are mentioned above, we can look at the RP8 and RP6 as examples using Acoustic Sounds web site as a reference....

RP8 ($3000 - $4200) compared to a Clearaudio Performance DC ($3600), VPI Prime / 3D tonearm ($4000) or VPI CLassic 1 / 2 ($3300 - $4000). Is the stock RP8 anywhere close to any of these tables?  Is it competitive in performance with these tables as delivered STOCK?

RP6 ($2000 - $2200)? VPI Prime Scout ($2200), Clearaudio Concept ($1800). Does the stock rega come in anywhere above a very distant third?    



gochurchgo
919 posts
 
@bpoletti  which of the tables you mentioned have the best dynamics if one were looking for a punchy and dynamic sound? My googling always comes back to the Technics but I struggle with how a table affects this vs the cartridge.
bpoletti
1,552 posts
 
@gochurchgo - 

My opinion....

Everything else being equal, my opinion on the listed tables is that it would be either the Clearaudio Performance or the Prime / 3D arm.  I think the 3D arm on the Prime would push the VPI ahead.  IMO, a good arm seems to make a difference in a cartridge's ability to reproduce tight, popping dynamics.

Just my opinion.   

I wish I had more experience with the Technics tables.  It is a line I confess a minimum of familiarity. 

 
More to discover