Which: VPI HW19 Jr. or III vs. REGA P3 and P25

The VPI Scout is better than all you have listed.

Stated Bias: I asked this same question a year or so ago, ended up with a VPI HW19 MKII w/ RB600.

At the time, I decided to step up from my old Technics BD20, and didn't know which way to go. TWL and others noted, as Jmcgrogan2 does above, that the VPI offers an extensive upgrade path (including the option of upgrading to bearing and platter), which the Rega doesn't.

At the time it appealed conceptually to my interest in tweaking, and I have to give props to TWL again...going VPI allows me to budget for future upgrades, and TWL's HIFI mod on the RB600 has made an enormous improvement in presentation.

All to say, if you can score the VPI MKIII at a reasonable price, it will have a substantial amount of upgrades already installed (vs. the Jr.) and I would bear witness I have found it a good value.

Tim

Footnote: I promised to add a review to the "Strange Tonearm Tweak. Long" thread which I will as soon as business travel permits; suffice to say it will be extremely positive.

Hi Timwat,

I apologize - specifically to Whyt_rabbit, that this is not related to this message thread or his original question. But, I'm new to analog (coming back to it) and I have another message thread on AudiogoN, "Beginner" audiophile Turntable for $200-$300?.

You stated that you upgraded from a Technics BD-20 to the VPI. Since I'm just getting started in this "game", I'm wondering if you would be willing to "recommend" the Technics SL-BD22 to a "newbie" just getting started (with a budget and not sure yet if I would be interested in "tweaking"...more interested in "plug & play" at this point)? This would allow me to enjoy my long-time not listened to album collection sooner than waiting to purchase say a Music Hall MMF-2.1 or especially the NAD 533 - both inferior to the MUCH more upgradeable VPI HW-19 Jr.! All of which are much more expensive than the Technics SL-BD22. But I still want a decent (or better) turntable.

Based on what I've seen of the VPI HW-19 Jr. (specifically), I feel it's the best step into audiophilia with it's upgrade path (stretching out the dollars for several paychecks ;-). So, I could - like you - focus my budget more wisely by upgrading straight to the VPI HW-19 Jr. or a similar VPI model, if I find that I am ready to jump more deeply into this "game" and "tweaking".

Sorry for being a bit long-winded!

Feel free to post the answer on my message thread that I gave a link for above.

Thanks,

Wes

Hi, wlusk:

Ok, will post on the referenced "beginner" thread.

Tim, I Can't wait to read your review of the HI FI mod!!!