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SDS or phono stage

I have a VPI Scoutmaster with Soundsmith Zephyr Mk II cartridge, jmw memorial arm, a stainless steel vpi record clamp, playing through a Musial Fidelity KW500 integrated amp with on board phono stage. Sounds quite good, but my question is this: would I be better off at this point adding an SDS or an outboard phono stage? Or both? In what order? Thanks!
arsh
brf
1,715 posts
 
Motor always on, and use the SDS to control the on/off. If you do it the other way, the SDS will not start at full power and then ramp down.
arsh OP
367 posts
 
Thanks. When I was setting it up, I watched the sds as I turned the motor off and on. When I turned the motor on, the sds voltage jumped to 115 then down to 72, as I gather it should. Do you really switch the sds on and off every time you flip the record, brush it clean, etc?
gpgr4blu
1,088 posts
 
I was instructed by a VPI rep to always turn the motor on and off and not to use the sds as an on/off switch. That advise was many years ago but I think it still holds.
arsh OP
367 posts
 
Thank you Gpgr4blu.
brf
1,715 posts
 
Gpgr4blu, that "VPI rep" is wrong. The VPI SDS is a motor controller and is used to turn the motor on and off with a specified power sequence.

The SDS manual states
Both the SDS and the turntable plugged into it may be turned on and off with the SDS's power switch.

Contact VPI if in doubt.
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