VPI periphery record ring for VPI Scoutmaster

Thanks all. I've considered the various Shelters, Sumiko Blackbird, but wasn't too aware of the Celebration. Is it a similar cart to the Blackbird (only better)? I'm not to familiar with current generation of Denons though I had a 103D long ago. I know I need something with a somewhat warm (not analytical) tonal balance for the Merlin setup.

the celebration is probably a couple steps up from the blackbird, which is a very good cart. here's a review from a couple of years ago:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0402/sumikocelebration.htm

After several conversations with Mehran at Sorasound, I ended up with a ZYX Airy3-X-SB. We'll see how it works out once the Scoutmaster gets here, but I'm really looking forward to being back in the analog biz.

This mod transforms the Scout to a world class playback machine.

I simply love it and by the way I no longer use the standard record clamp - thats redundant!

Jud Barber

I just bought a Merrill Scillia MS2, and was finding the ring/clamp ritual a bit of a bore. But then I did an A/B test on a favorite, rather pristine record with and without the ring. A significant improvement, in ways I would have not expected. More refined highs, and even quieter background noise. I too question the pricing of many of the items in this hobby, but dammit, there is no disputing the sonic improvement, at least of this ring on my system. For me, the question comes down to this: Can I live with the embarassment of the fuss and expense that I have gone to for my hobby? In this case, the answer is yes.