VPI SDS Newbie

I'm experiencing a similar hesitation. $1000 is a lot for what it is... even $750 used feels expensive. Especially since it's more than half the price of a Scout/JMW-9. The main attraction to it for me is the ability to go from 33 to 45 at the touch of a button.

From hearing a friend's system as he went through the Scout to Scoutmaster upgrades, you may get more improvement by first upgrading to the 300 rpm motor, then adding the SDS. The folks at VPI can give you some good guidance on this if you call them.

After upgrading to the 300 rpm motor, the further improvement from adding a motor controller will be very noticeable. It's not a component level upgrade improvement, but it's significant enough that you're not likely to be willing to give it up once you've heard the difference.
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Autodexr, SDS will work with both motors but the 300 rpm motor upgrade is a must. IMHO, the 600 rpm motor should be considered a defect and should have never been released in the first place.

One person's "big change" is another person's "subtle improvement." Depends to a great degree on how resolving your system is and how experienced you are as a listener. Hope that doesn't come off as elitist or patronizing.

i think with the added SDS, it is a significant improvement. you will notice better bass and separation of instruments. a far better step up than getting the 600 rpm motor which i have also. you can get a used sds around here for about 750 or so.