Technics SL-1200 vs. Scoutmaster

OP has a really confusing post. There is no Technics 1200. There is a 1200GR2, and the twice as expensive 1200G. I have not heard the G, but owned the original, made in Japan GR, and I did not care for the sound.

A kind of bigger issue may be ergonomics, where the VPIs are tweaker turntables for those who enjoy adjusting, and Technics are, pretty much, set and forget. The 78 speed, and fine speed control, on the Technics is also fantastic, a great opportunity to embrace the joys of 78s. Much better ergonomics than the VPI, IMHO. After market adaptor plates to change tonearms are made for both 1200 models, but it is a bit of a job to take off the bottom plate and mount them. I believe you would be limited to 9" tonearms with the adaptor plates.

So, before I drop a bunch of cash on a new arm, what would I notice going to a 1200?  I've heard they're not quite as inky black quiet as the VPI, and not quite as much low-end.  Any truth to that?

@mezz955 If you're talking about the Technics SL1200G, no;  its one of the better turntables made. Its quieter than the Scoutmaster and has no problems playing bass.

Its weakness is its platter pad which is a bit of junk. So if you really want to hear what this 'table is about the pad needs to be replaced with something competent (the Oracle platter pad is one of the best we've heard).

I commented on your other post. Agree with @tooblue the Scountmaster is a nice table, but shoe-horning a different brand of arm onto it can get messy. I’m also fond of VPI’s metal unipivots, but its later versions / incarnations are much better - with VTA base and telecsoping arm tube (e.g. Classic 3). Being a simple unipivot it’s limited in what kind of cartrtidges it matches well to, but even there you can mitigate this somewhat with the "Dual Pivot" add-on mod - helps a lot with Koetsu, which likes more stability than the bare unipivot provides. The VTA base also provides the option for mechanical anti-skate.

So for one, you could simply upgrade the VPI unipivot! I think it could solve your main cited issue(s). In regards to the Technics:

I’ve heard they’re not quite as inky black quiet as the VPI, and not quite as much low-end. Any truth to that?

Frankly, I’d be surprised if the Technics had a deficiency in noise floor compared to VPI. As for the low-end claim - truthfully, I believe VPI’s enhanced sense of bass response comes down to their plinths and tonearms being rather "reactive" to mechanical feedback in the bass region. I’d be hesitant to call that a "feature" rather than a "bug" (quirk?). It’s also much more reactive when fitted with their 3D printed arms. Hence why I ended up preferring the later-make metal wands, which also have a better build quality IMO.

I had a Scout for 10 years, a Prime for 2+ years and went to the Technics SL1200G and am loving it.  It is quieter than the VPI, the arm is a joy to set up and use and the bass is nice and deep.  I play more vinyl than ever before and I own 3 cartridges for it.  The removable headshell makes life easy.  

Go with the 1200. It has one of the lowest noise floors in the industry and maintains absolute perfect speed. You’ll notice a substantial difference when listening to music with sustained piano and such.