VPI Scout vs VPI Classic

The improvement from Scout to Classic not withstanding, I'm of the opinion that you would hear a greater improvement by upgrading to a better phono stage than you would hear between the tables. I still own a Scout Signature, with Dynavector XX2 MKII, and at one time had the Dyna P-75 MKII phono stage, which was completely underwhelming. I now use a modded Simaudio Moon LP 5.3, with outboard power supply. This combo sounds superb, and perhaps with the Classic, would sound even better, but, IMHO, the Dyna phono pre is holding you back more than the difference in turntables. For what it's worth.

Best of luck,
Dan

"The VPI Scout sounds almost dark and slow"

Funny how those of us who said that same thing at the time of the Scout's release were pilloried. I have not heard the Classic so I am not offering an opinion, but I am a little shocked at the change of awareness? A VPI with a better delivery of PRaT is a good thing though.

Gregg

Thanks everyone for your comments. When I clamp a record down to my Scout via the VPI clamp and rubber washer I feel focus is pretty good but it seems some of the dynamics are reduced in the process, and the sound seems smaller. I can see where you would say "dark and slow". I don't know if I'm reacting to the acrylic platter or if it's just "sum of the parts" of the TT. With all this said I still very much enjoy listening to this table.

A couple of tweaks that have definitely helped with the PRaT thing was to further isolate the motor on a 3/4" steel slab (6" x 6") and a maple shelf for the TT both sitting in a 4" thick sand box. Doing this completely isolates the motor from the TT, well except for the belt and the sand. That has also helped with darker backgrounds as well. The other tweak was to make a home made record mat using the stuff used for lining the drawers in tool boxes. The waffle textured looking stuff you can get at Lowe's in the tool department. I swear it looks just like the mat on some Well Tempered tables and that has made the biggest change yet. Much more energetic and more spacious sounding but at the same time ticks and pops are a little more pronounced but definitely worth the tradeoff. Despite the improvements beyond a stock Scout with these little tweaks I can't help but think I'm still only halfway at best to a Classic in terms of sound quality.

Islandmandan, I hadn't really considered changing either the cartridge or phono pre as I was thinking there was a pretty good synergy with the 20X and the P75 MK II in phono enhance mode. Definitely better than the standard MC setting, but worth considering. Thanks.

I thought my Scout improved immensely when I began using it in conjunction with a Ginkgo Cloud. That really made it much more dynamic. I still enjoy the Scout sound!

I can see where you would say "dark and slow".

Arch2...I am simply conveying what I heard when I auditioned the 2 tables. So please take the comment in the context of a comparison between the two tables and how I perceived them relative to one another. In any case, good luck with your search and let us know how you make out. I know that Dan (Islandmandan) has tweaked his Scout (apart from the upgraded cartridge and phono stage) and seems to have squeezed a lot of performance out of it. If you do a search in the forums on the Scout you will see many comments by Dan describing the tweaks. I came across them when I was doing my research on tables. You may want to reach out to him for specific recommendations that may very well take the performance of your Scout up another couple of notches. Good luck.