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VPI Scoutmaster vs. Pro-ject RM10

I had a chance to listen to a VPI Scout friday and was sorely disappointed. I had the salesman play a Rega P3 and it was no contest. I finally convinced him that the VTA must be off. I placed the rega felt mat on the VPI and it cleared up considerably. But was it VTA or the felt mat or both?? I like the way the VPI is built is seems like it would provide years of service. But I would like to hear a Pro-ject RM10 and don't have a dealer locally that has one set up for demo. Has anyone ever compared these two? The scout sounded muffled and uncontrolled in the bass. Again the mat helped but is that a characteristic of VPI? Do they traditionally sound hard or conjested? I understand that the Pro-Ject arm is a real nice arm and the magnetic bearing is appealing but before I plop down 3K I would like some input on what to expect.
theo
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I don't much like the Michel!!l, it sounds veiled to me, but I do love the Scoutmaster, I have never heard the Pro-ject 10, but thought the 9.1 was very nice, it was on an isolation platform, so I am sure that helped.

Once again though, get the Clearaudio Performance!!

I am listening to it right now, man, it is dead quiet.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I just completed a modification last night to my Scoutmaster that I think significantly improves the sound. I replaced the standard VPI feet with ones from Star Sound. So instead of aluminum feet coupled to the table by a thick rubber washer you have machined brass feet connected directly. It tightened up the sound and improved the bass and transient response. I talked to Harry before I ordered them and he thought they might well be worthwhile. I am going to try to talk Star Sound into sending him some to try. This couples the table very closely to the surface it is sitting on so I don't know how it will work if you are having vibration problems. I was going to do a comparison test but I am not sure I will anytime soon now as I am very happy with its current sound. Also using the discs for the feet mentioned in my post above. The cones that fit are the 1/4th -20 thread.
sns
3,989 posts
 
Stanwall, that's interesting, I suspect the thick rubber washer is acting a bit like a suspension, re-introducing vibration back into tt. I'm going to try taking my rubber washers off, wonder why Harry uses them?

I've been thinking of using Aurios or Stillpoints under my tt, still sympathetic movements may create asynchronous movment, re-introducing vibrations again.

Perhaps directly coupling spikes is the best answer. Metallurgy of spikes may be an issue as well, brass coupled to the aluminum top plate on my sandbox may not be best, two dissimilar metals. Still, maximizing mass in the spikes would seem to dissipate vibrations more fully. Looking for the exact sonic improvements you mentioned, think I'll try the Star Sounds.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I had the same idea about the rubber washer. The feet with ball bearings and rubber are just not as rigid as the Star Sound. Use the coupling discs and they should work with the aluminum, I would think. Stan
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