Best table in $1500 range

Although it's been out for a while, noone seems to own one, but me. It is my first "real" table, and I bought after much research. I'm happy with my purchase, and with the music.

I got a Michell Tecnodec from Gene Rubin Audio, as a demo, with Michell/RB 250 (Rega 250 with Michell's weight) for $1050.

DC motor, vinyl platter, same bearing as in Michell's pricier tables.

Ended up with a Clearaudio Aurum Beta S wood body cart and a Graham Slee Era Gold MK V phono Pre, which is like night vs Day compared to some < $500 phone preamps that I tried. I'm well under $2500 with Pristine Demo table, new arm, new cart, and used phono stage (Although I had cables and a place to put it).

There is a lot of buzz on the Scout, and if it were the same $$ I might have gone for it, however, and I'm certianly no scientist, the kitchen engineering of the antiskate on the VPI arms sorta freaks me out.

Anyway, I'm still psyched about my table. Good luck in your search- give a look-see to Graham Slee (GSP audio) phono stages, they are a different breed.

Or you could buy the scout, and buy the new scoutmaster 300 rpm motor for $120, which addresses the speed stability issue.

Yeah, I have heard that the scout doesn't have an adjustment for anti-skating. Is this something one should be concerned about?

Oh sheeet Toddwj just kicked the ant hill with that one. I would concur with Doug on the Rega 250 arm, a STEAL. Add an Expressimo Audio 2xtreme endstub and a Kerry Audio titanium counterweight and redo the wiring oh don't forget the VTA riser and you are set. Sounds like a lot to order, but well worth the time and money.

I am an analog newbie for sure, but with the science behind antiskate, other manufacturers' incrementally adjustable compensation devices, and the fact that you can measure it, just "eyeballing" it by twisting a wire is sorta strange- but then again, people seem to like the arms...

Bottom line, if you decide to go with the Scout TABLE, you don't have to use their Arm.

The Rega Arm is the Glock of the Audio World- there is a whole industry of people making a living from developing improvements to it.

Is it perfect?
I know very little about analog, but from owning one for a few months, I can absolutley say, No, it is not.

But it is a cheap arm, that is reliable, is of good quality, and it is highly upgradeable.

You know, it is a available as stock on the Michell tables...

good luck