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currently own a vpi scout, looking to upgrade

I have had a scout for about 5 years and I am looking to upgrade. I have heard the vpi classic and although it sounds decent, I am not sure it necessarily sounds better or better enough to my ears. How much do,I have to spend to see a,significant difference? I have not heard many tables because there are not many available locally. Any suggestions would,be appreciated.
tzh21y
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,386 posts
 
Why do you want to upgrade...what is it that you don't like about your system as it stands now
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
When I first got back to analog, I bought a Pro-Ject table, and was disappointed by it's build quality.

Next came a VPI Scout, which I subequently upgraded to a Signature, with a 300 RPM motor, which was a good sounding table, with a Dynavector XX2MKII cart.

I eventually tired of the Scout, and sold it, to try the vintage route. I then bought a Garrard 401, built a plinth, and mounted a Dynavector 501 arm on it.

This is what I will be staying with for the long haul. The precision of the Dynavector arm is a welcome relief from the wobbly nature of the VPI unipivot, overall, the sound quality is a very large improvement.

My opinion is that most of the upgrades offered by VPI are overpriced.

The mention of a Basis table is a good suggestion, also I have friends that use Transrotor tables, a Fat Bob w/ Triplaner arm, and a Fat Bob Reference with SME 309, both of which are outstanding, (and, very beautiful!) if you can get a good buy on one of these, I highly recommended them.

Regards, and best of luck,
Dan
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,386 posts
 
Dan....if your VPI arm wobbled you set it or the table itself up wrong. I've had 4 VPI arms....only one wobbled, but because the Superplatter was not built perfectly round...not the fault of the arm. Otherwise, the arm is as solid as any arm when tracking the record.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
The reason I was looking at upgrading is I recently purchased a Benz ref s. It sounds amazing. I always thought for years that there was something wrong with my table only to find out it was the cartridge was faulty. This cartridge sounds phenomenal on the scout. I thought as good as this cartridge sounds on the scout it must sound amazing on a higher end table. I WS told by a friend that Benz cartridges sound especially good on VPI tables and basis graham combos. Just was wondering how much better it can possibly get and how much do I have to spend to see a real significant difference.
roggae
95 posts
 
you gonna sell your scout?
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