VPI Scoutmaster or Nottingham Space Deck...?

What kind of music do you listen to? If you are happy w. the Ruby 2, the LP is supposed to be much improved. I had it & didn't like it. But I had a problem w. mine.

I used a Koetsu Urushi on mine. I loved it until my cleaning women broke it. Now I have a VDH Condor but I don't have my phono preamp for another month so I don't know how it sounds. I just like the idea of a stylus replacement costing only $500 or so compared to some others which cost $2000 plus

I have not had the opportunity to hear the Scoutmaster at home, however, I think I can give you some informed input on the Spacedeck. The Spacedeck is the sweet spot in the Nottingham lineup IMO. Better than the models below it with diminishing returns for the dollar above it. Don't waste your time or money on the heavy kit either. For whatever reason, the standard Spacedeck has the magic. Also, I don't care much for the Nott arm. I got much better results with a hot-rodded RB600 with Incognito wiring and OL Structural Mod. Adding Pete Riggle's VTAF improved the focus and bass.
The Spacedeck itself sounds much better than it has a right to sound. It responds to arm changes, mats and other tweaks, for better or worse. My current setup includes the Living Voices Mystic Mat, VPI weight and Graham B-44 Phantom arm. Many would think I'm crazy to use such high dollar accoutrements on this table. They have been incorporated over time by careful listening and the Spacedeck allows these devices to shine.
If I were to have to choose between the stock Spacedeck/arm and stock Scoutmaster/arm I'd probably lean toward the Scoutmaster. I feel the Spacedeck delivers black backgrounds like nothing else in it's price range. Unfortunately I feel the Spacearm kills it. Just my opinion.

I agree with most of the above with the exception of the comments about the Spacearm. I have owned two Spacedecks and have tried a variety of arms. A modded RB600, an OL Silver, OL Encounter, Bluenote Borghese and Borromeo. I prefer the Spacearm to all of them, and especially the new Ace-Space arm. To my ears there is a distinct synergy with the Spacedeck and a Nott arm. But as always, to each his own.

Oz

Well Denf, I'd say you got a lot of opinions that most likely didn't help with your decision. Ain't this a fun sport? Hey, both turntables will play music for you quite nicely. If you have a dealer that carries both tables, I'd say listen to them both with your eyes closed and follow your heart and ears.
Best of luck.