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vpi scoutmaster versus technics unbiased

Anyone heard both the vpi scoutmaster and the technics mk5g not the earlier versions and preferably with tonerarm dampen kit to tell me whether there is big difference in sonics. Lets assume no sds or clamp with vpi but newer tonearm. phonostage is dartzeel preamp and amp is dartzeel as well. by the way i am happy with the technics mk5g that I have but wondering whether the scoutmaster with my existing benz ace low output cartridge would have a lower noisefloor or what would the benefits necessarily be. I listen to jazz and rock. If you sneer at direct drive then at least admit it so I am aware of the bias.

thanks

mike

thanks

mike
radioheadokplayer
Post removed 
radioheadokplayer OP
181 posts
 
I am going to stick with the technics tt for now and maybe one day change out but keep this for awhile since I really like it and work on getting better at cleaning my records with the vpi 16.5.

Michael
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I have an SL1210 M5G, and pretty much every tweak I've made improves inner clarity, dynamics, and lowers noise floor. These have included the fluid damper, a sorbothane (not sorbogel) mat, Sumiko or LPGear ZuPreme headshell, brass footers, thick plank platform, and shock abosorbing footers under the plank. I recently swapped out the Vibrapods under the plank for a pair of plank-wide thick gel pads. They're actually gel wrist rests for computer keyboard that I got from Office Max. I estimate they further isolated the turntable from room noise by about 1.5 dB *over * the Vibrapods.

You will also lower the internal noise of the SL12x0 series if you get some factory bearing oil (I got a tube from KAB) and lube up the spindle bearing. Easily the best $4.95 you can spend to improve the performance of this TT.

By the time I did all those things, the cumulative effect on the SL1210 was transforming. The combination of quart-controlled direct drive and these vibration control and isolation upgrades has made for a dynamic and rhythmically compelling presentation.
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