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

I may also consider the soundsmith MM because of its superior stability compared to a MC. The Hana is good but a REAL MC cartridge starts around 2 thousand bucks.

Weird. I switched from a Soundsmith Carmen to a Hana SL and the improvement was incredible. The Carmen isn’t even in the same league, let alone the same ballpark. The linked thread details the experience of a guy who "downgraded" to the Hana SL from a Koetsu Rosewood:
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/so-glad-i-took-a-chance-on-a-hana-cartridge.751483/#post-18685655

I also posted in that thread regarding some trouble I was having with the bass of my SL, but disregard all of that, it turned out to be a problem further up the chain.

My local dealer used to listen to a Koetsu Rhodonite on a regular basis. He's considered one of the most talented analog gurus in the industry and sets up 5-figure analog systems regularly. He will tell you Hana carts are hands down the best value out there. 

Hana doesnt last. Reports are out that they burn out after 400 hrs. I want something that will do a 1000 hrs. 

Hana doesnt last. Reports are out that they burn out after 400 hrs. I want something that will do a 1000 hrs.

Very strange.
You have all these ready made ideas and notions which makes me wonder why you bother to come here and continually scoff at some of the very good advice you are being given?

Because is an " expert " rookie that does not needs advises. With that attitude he just can't learn and that's why he runned to buy 4K of LPs.

R.

@rauliruegas, @uberwaltz,

Gents, please give Jeff a break, this is his post, he asked for advise, you gave it.  But, when people do not listen to you, please do not be offended, because the OP may respond defensively and down rabbit hole the post goes.  If you read his prior posts, he listens, but makes his own decisions - good for him, its his ears, its his life, its his money. 

The two of you by your statistics are pretty amazing, joined 2012/2013 and since have accummulated almost 20,000 posts; impressive but this a community forum, and you are only a voice in a chorus.  If you were professional reviewers that had published detailed reviews there may more documented evidence to your position, but even then, its all transient until to next 'great' product. 

The Hana SL is the current $750 darling, but it is MC and will be more sensitive to pre-amp, does not have a threaded headshell and with a shibata stylus can be very sensitive to setup, so it may not be the best 1st cartridge for someone who may not have a lot of experience or the supporting equipment to get the best performance from it.  The $750 Ortofon 2M Black MM is always a safe recommendation, but the replacement stylus is $550.  So, my recommendation is trying to consider the whole picture, and if the OP does not agree with my recommendation, thats OK, that is their God given right, and I am not granted the right to judge their decisions.  

Otherwise, the next $729 darling is likely to be the Audio Technica AT-OC9XSL.  If you read the specs, its unbelievable for the price, threaded headshell, micro fine stylus, boron cantilever, best possible copper wire, neodymium magnets, and on and on, but it has not yet been professionally reviewed.  But given the specs, and the company behind it, it has all the 'potential' to be the next 'giant-killer'.