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

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.

I'd pick the P7 as the RB700 is a significantly better arm than the VPI 9 IMHO

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!

The Classic (original version) also has the 10.5i tonearm.

Once again, I would take the Classic or especially the Clearaudio Performance over any Rega table.

The Classic (original version) also has the 10.5i tonearm.

Once again, I would take the Classic or especially the Clearaudio Performance over any Rega table.