VPI Scoutmaster or Aries????

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.

hello dean, after a lot of internet research, i went with the aires three, got it a few days ago, and set it up last night, its a snap to do, i have the jmw 10.5 improved arm standard wire, vta on the fly is great for all of those 200, 180, and all sized lps, just start the lp and adjust to your liking, going to add a hovland music groove 2 phono interconnect, i am not a fan of valhalla cables, it is mity impressive in wight and site, the arm reminds me of engineering at it best, all is supplyed to set the table up, including a shure tracking force gauge, out of the box the sound is in you face fine top to bottom, i will be spinning lps all weekend to get her broke in, good luck in your choice and have a good one,

I just purchased a Aries 2 Extended with the 12.5 arm and the Valhalla wire upgrade. It also has the outer ring clamp. However, it has not arrived yet, so I cannot comment on the sound. I can't wait to get it. I am using a VPI mk4 with JMW 10 arm now, and it sounds pretty amazing too. I know it is an older design, but it has been a great table and still looks like new.

Stltrains, please clarify - did you get Nordost or Discovery wiring in the tonearm?

I am a pretty big fan of the Discovery wire, so I was a little preturbed at having to pay extra for the Valhalla should I go for the Aries 3 / JWM-10.5i

With due respect to Sberger, he is incorrect when he states that the Scoutmaster does not offer the peripheral ring clamp. The ring clamp most certainly IS available with the Scoutmaster. My local VPI dealer sells it, and it is shown on the VPI web site -- see this link for more info:
http://www.vpiindustries.com/master.htm
Note the wording at the bottom of the ad: available with periphery ring clamp and SDS power supply.