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HELP Rega P-7; VPI Classic 2; Scout 2 or ?

Never posted before on here, although I have been a member for several years. I need some help on deciding betwen TT and Cart. I am looking at replacing my P-3 w/Goldring 1042 with one of the following:

VPI Classic 2 w/DV 20x ( or other?)
VPI Scout 2 w/DV 20x
Rega P-7 w/?
Clearaudio Performance w/?

My set up is as follows:

Pre-amp: McIntosh C-2200 ( using internal phono pre )
Amp: McIntosh MC-300 solid state
Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Woods
Inteconnects: Nordost Blue Heaven Rev 2
Speaker Wire: Transparent MM(not sure right now)
Power: PS Audio P-500; and two Ultimate outlets.
Stand: Arici (sic) Air suspened.
Digital: Marantz SA 8250

I listen to ALL types of music. So I need something which can handel all types of music. Moreover, since I cannot audition most of these TT due to lack of dealers, I need the communities help. Thanks so much

Bosco
bosco2362
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
I would suggest that the P5 is probably better value for the money than the P7. I would also guess that if you like the sound of your P3, that you will probably prefer the Rega sound to the VPI. Certainly both are fine tables.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I have owned a Scout(didn't like), a VPI Classic (current, and love it), and the Clearaudio Performance, which I would highly recommend. Not a big fan of the Rega's.

I would match anything with the Soundsmith cartridges, which I am now totally in love with.
rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
I had the Clearaudio Performance SE with the ceramic magnetic bearing and Satisfy Carbon arm. At the time I had the Clearaudio Talismann V2 cart. A great little kit for $5k. Clearaudio tables are very dynamic and transparent with great bass slam. Some say they can be too analytical...I guess that depends on your system and cart. I could easliy have lived happily with that combo. I kept it less than 1 month however and took advantage of the ability to return the table/arm for a full credit towards a higher end table.

I chose to stick with Clearaudio. This time I went with the Innovation Wood Compact and their top of the line radial arm, the Universal with the VTA lift option. I could not be happier..... being able to adjust VTA on the fly is a joy. The movement is smooth with resistance like a fluid panning head for a video camera. For the cart, I did not go with Clearaudio and opted for the Shelter Harmony. It's been a great marriage and the music has never sounded better on my system.

speakers: Wilson W/P 8's
amps: Pass Labs XA 100.5 class A monoblocks
pre-amp: Mark Levinson 380S
phono-pre: Clearaudio Balance+ with the DC power accumulator power supply.
goatwuss
877 posts
 
I'd pick the P7 as the RB700 is a significantly better arm than the VPI 9 IMHO
dawgfish
157 posts
 
In re: Goatwuss' post, it's worth noting that the Classic II has the JMW 10.5" arm, not the 9" one. For that matter, it also includes the ability to do on-the-fly adjustments of VTA.

May or may not change anyone's opinion of the relative merits of these fine 'tables, but let's be accurate in how we are comparing them...

Happy listening!
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