Should I buy a VPI SCOUTMASTER. I OWN 25 RECORDS.

Hi.

As a teen, I loved listening to records.

Then, CD's arrived and I stopped listening to vinyl.

Late 90's I bought a new TT, phono stage and started collecting vinyl again.

Mid 2000's, sold everything I had collected in the 90's (married with children).

Fall of 2016 (As a result of some life changes) pulled my first TT out of storage along with the dozen or so records I had left.

Was a very frustrating transition getting back into vinyl. Was very discouraged by the sound quality from my TT/cartridge, noise on records etc.

There was a point where I was going to walk away from vinyl before I got too deeply committed. Then I made a choice and moved forward with vinyl. 

Bought a modest TT, and a moderately good cart (Clearaudio Concept/Ortofon Black)

Digital is now a portable medium for me. I have two systems I listen to. One is for radio, which I have on all day, the other is for vinyl.

I love the whole "thing" about vinyl. The "language" of the sound, the process of putting on a record, rooting through used bins and the way I listen to music when I play a record - the whole thing, and not just the hits...

3 years in and I'm not turning back. No real rhyme or reason to how I buy records  (new vs used)  and the collection is now over 600 Lps - never counted but going by linear feet of stacked records I figure its around that number.

Its not just the sound, its change how I listen to music.

Good luck!

With exception of Soundsmith carts, the typical replacement stylus for an MM/MI cart is 80% the cost of the cartridge.

@helomech just check Peter's interview and he said at 17:00 here SoundSmith cartridges will be rebuild ONLY for 20% of the cost (not 80% as you said). 

I would not waste your money on a vpi scout if all you own is 25 records! I would shoot for a lower tier pro-ject such as the debut carbon with ortofon 2m red @ $399. Read Michael Fremers review of that table as he found it to be a very nice sounding product for the money. 

the OP already has a low tier player similar to what you describe Audioguy.

I have a project debut carbon with a grado cartridge.  It sucks. Lots of background noise. Dull, lifeless, muddy sound. I am looking at this German table called Acoustic signature primus. Anyone heard of this table? I can get one used for 1200 bucks with a ortofon red. I figure I would throw on a 800 dollar cartridge and call it a day.