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

Direct drives are junk. You never connect a motor to the deck and platter. Vibration. Direct drive is for low end record players. Virtually every 100k dollar table is BELT.  Technics is not EVEN close to same league as VPI or REGA. Unless YOU ARE A DISC JOCKEY. 

@jeffvegas
The problem with asking questions here anymore is that you will get 50 different answers from people who’s knowledge is questionable but their bias is not. Direct drive, belt drive, idler drive, gumball arm, uni pivot and now DJ tables which came into vogue when the cheap idler drive TT became all the rage, 7-8s ago.  AAMOF, CHEAP seems to be the criterion for all things audiophool today. I’ve tried to stay away from endorsing my bias (VPI) But IMO, the Scoutmaster is a good start and will serve you well as a base of knowledge. Especially at $1500. The uni pivot arm is different and wobbles because its on a uni-pivot point. But its no problem if you use the cue lever which you should do with any arm. Use the SM and then if you want to upgrade, sell it for little (if any) loss and move on. By that time you will have zeroed in on whatever path you want to go. The key is research and knowing the players and learning what you like

Forget the streaming for the time. You will need to focus on one thing at a time. get your vinyl established & the go for the streaming.Never upgrade 2 components at a time. Too many variables to make a proper assessment. So now you have 51 opinions. Enjoy whatever route you take. Just take one. If you don’t like it, try again.That too is education.

Dear @jeffvegas : I don't know you but I don't like mediocrity/average audio items, digital or analog.

All the advises here for analog and what you are asking for are in the mediocrity land, belongs to this territory.

In the digital domain the advises are in the mediocrity level too as that Benchmark.

If you like the mediocrity then go for what ever you think you need.

If you don't like and don't want stay in that mediocrity then you need to make a wise decision. In the analog alternative you need a phono cartridge in the 3K-5k  price range and only for the cartridge. You need that cartridge along a TT, a tonearm ( not unipivot, no matters what. ) and a first rate phono stage and you can't do it for less than 10K.

In the digital alternative you can go out of the mediocrity starting at your budget of 4K and up for the DAC.

Everything can " sounds " but not everything can sounds out of the mediocrity. Is up to you not the other gentlemans ( including me. ) in this thread.

Typical hogwash from an audiophile elitist -- ignorance on par with a flat-earther.

@jeffvegas I also suggest the new Technics SL1200G as a sound audiophile TT.  It is reasonably priced, durable and is superior to the prior DJ iterations.  There are several very high end DD TTs now including VPI.  Technics made some great DD TTs that sell for more than you are looking to purchase.