VPI Scoutmaster or Aries????

Harry Weisfeld does a great job of continually improving his turntable designs, with each generation showing better performance that its predecessors.

The Scoutmaster is the newer design, so presumably it should offer better sound quality (particularly if you get the Signature 9 arm). It also offers the peripheral ring clamp, which is a great device. If it were me, I'd buy the Scoutmaster, not the original Aries.

However, if the comparison was between the Scoutmaster and the Aries 3 with the longer arm, then I'd choose the Aries 3.

For the most part I agree with Sdcampbell, the Scoutmaster would be a better bet. There isn't a whole lot of difference between the two tables performance wise (at least with Aries 1/2), but the Aries is a nicer looking table to me at least. Personally I went with an Aries because I wanted the 12" arm which, theoretically, can offer better performance. I can't verify that since I didn't compare with a Scout. I also think the Aries would be a good choice IF there was an affordable upgrade path to the Aries 3. VPI's website doesn't mention upgrades, but if they do offer one it won't be cheap since you will be replacing a significant portion of the table (to date no mention of an extended Aries 3, damn!). If you can afford a new Aries 3 that would be the way to go, otherwise go for the Scoutmaster. I would also recommend the Valhalla wire upgrade. Good luck!

actually, the scoutmaster does not offer the ring clamp. the super scoutmaster does. however, the scoumaster platter can accomodate the ring clamp. but i agree that it is a great turntable. i've owned one now for over a year, and did add the ring clamp, center clamp, and speed control(had the sds, sold it and bought a walker precision speed control) and signature arm. suffice to say im not planning on upgrading my analog front end again unless i win the lottery.

good luck.