What's the limit for cart upgrade/VPI Scout?

Hi Jeff, sent email to you already, but I realized I didn't address the GCPH issue. I think they are a real bargain-I got mine here on A'gon for 600 bucks, in brand new condidition. It sounds extemely good, depending on recording, even besting my digital gear, which has been highly modified to perform at a completely different level, so in my mind, I find that impressive. I'm thinking of having it upgraded (like the rest of my gear) by David Schulte. Hope that helps, enjoy, Dan

Hey Dan, beerdraft here. You have been helpful in my problems so wanted to mention something here. Before I knew something was going to be wrong with my table I had emailed sumiko on possible upgrades for my xperience,thikning cartridge and cables was the obvious answer and nothing else. As someone reccomended above they said not to spend money on that but to get the project speed box se2 which has a high current outboard power supply. They told me not just the speed control but the better power supply than what comes with the table would make a huge quality change. Obviously not familiar with the vpi scout and if this would apply to it as well.
thanks

I believe the Project speed box is 16V, which precludes use on a 120V VPI motor. I recently installed Mark Kelly's battery powered Synchrotron AC-1 Drive Controller with a VPI 300RPM motor. It's a killer solution that may equal or surpass an SDS at about half the cost. However it's available only as a kit requiring fairly advanced DIY skills.

My experience is that the cartridge makes the most significant upgrade in sound. I had a Grado Sonata which was brown in color with fuzzy sound, had respectable width, but not much depth. When I changed to a Benz it was a revelation.

Dave, I looked up your thread about the Synchrotron AC-1 controller on Audioasylum, but I didn't see any links or info about a website or contact info for Mark Kelly. Is there somewhere we can look for more info about the AC-1?