VPI Scout ... move to Scoutmaster or even further


Now that I'm convinced playing vinyl is the most rewarding listening, I'm thinking of more performance from my set-up. I bought a Scout with a 20x H Dynevector cart. mated to a Anthem Pre1P and have enjoyed that for awhile now. I'm thinking of possibly moving to a Scoutmaster but have been recommended to just step-up to a better table altogether, a Nottingham Spacedec, keeping my other gear intact. The thinking is at this stage the table is the critical link and although the Scout a great table at its price, the upgraded ones are essentially more of the same. Moving to a even higher end table gives a better overall design for essentially the same cost. This seems to make sense but am wondering what you all think. Initially I was a bit hesitant at all buying such a good table to start as once the thrill wears off, it might sit and collect dust. After a year and a half, now I know that isn't the case. Those records spin continuously where before the shinny discs never really did.
sailfishben
I have The Scout + 20XH, as you do.

I think that, at this point, the limiting factor is the cartridge, not the table. For example, I had a Benz M0.9 that lacked the dynamics of the Dynavector, but added significant detail. Too bad I broke it.

I will be looking for a Dynavector Karat or Sumiko Blackbird later in the year, as well as a few others to try out.

Now if you were going to upgrade both the table, and cartridge, I can see that. My point is that there is still headroom left with the Scout to offer significant improvement without the expense of an entire new set-up.
Hi,

Go the the VPI website and read HiFi+ magazine reviews on the Scout vs. Scoutmaster. The summary is dead on.

I own a scout table and I have made several upgrades that I can recommend.

1. Change to a better tonearm cable-suggest you try the VPI discovery cable.
2. Upgrade to the VPI SDS power supply
3. Upgrade to the HRX 300 RPM motor
4. Change the phono preamplifier to ARC PH5 (fantastic upgrade, fantastic phono preamplifier)
5. Power cables to the motor make a slight difference that is audible

Hope this helps
I did the same thing you are currently thinking about almost two years ago. I sold my Scout and bought a Nott spacedeck. I kept the Dynevector cartridge (same as yours) and put it on the Nott. There was no comparison. The Nott is far superior. More musical, warm, only good things and with the same cart. Do not think twice, get the Nott.