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VPI Scout with Grado Master - but what next?

I've got an old original VPI Scout with a wood body Grado Master HO MM cartridge on it. I'm using the phono stage in my McIntosh C2200 tube preamp, and pushing the whole thing with a McIntosh MC402 solid state amp. I listen to Jazz mostly.

The Grado Master is about eight years old now, so I'm starting to shop around for a replacement. I had a Grado Sonata in it originally but it was pretty thin and boring sounding and didn't track very well - the Master has been a really wonderful cartridge. However it's a lot better with Jazz than it is with Rock. Rock, even excellent 1/2 speed master recordings, sound forward and lack slam.

So I'd like my Rock to...well rock, but jazz is my main thing, and I'm worried that if I buy a Dynavector or Soundsmith based on recommendations from folks who listen to Rock exclusively, I'll wind up with my Steely Dan bringing down the house, but Leroy Vinnegar sounding like Jack Bruce and a stack of Marshalls. This would be bad. Anyone
lemoco
lemoco OP
7 posts
 
Thanks everyone. I'll look into some mass or a shelf to isolate the TT first, and then have another listen. Any specific recommendations would be much appreciated. I actually had a Graham Slee Era Gold phono stage, but opted for the tube stage in the McIntosh as it has a much blacker background and is much more laid back.

One of the reasons I chose the Grado Master was the high 5Mv output. Looking at the Dynavector MC and the Soundsmith MI cartridges I worry about 2.5mv output requiring too much gain. To be honest I rarely turn the thing up past 4 but I like a lot of reserve power so I came keep the gain down low. Does the difference in output - 2.5mv vs 5mv - really impact the gain?

Thanks Again
lemoco OP
7 posts
 
Thanks, I appreciate it.
photon46
1,085 posts
 
Just to be clear, it is more than isolation that impacts the sound of the Scout. The mass and the resonant quality or resonant frequency of whatever the Scout is sitting on impacts the sound greatly. Wall mount shelves I've seen use thin MDF which is not going to help your problem. Now if you integrate a thick wood plinth into the wall mount shelf, you're on the right track. Although I've not heard one myself, another option that some Scout owners have reported good results with is the Ginko Audio Cloud 9 isolation base.
https://www.gcaudio.com/cgi-bin/store/showProduct.cgi?id=494
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,404 posts
 
I'm using a Target PS-1 wall mount shelf and replaced the MDF support platform with a Symposium Svelt Shelf. They make one that is an exact fit so it drops right in. I never A-B'd the Svelt shelf against the MDF but I'm thinking it provides better isolation. In my experience, the main thing is getting the table attached to the wall studs rather than connected to the floor, regardless of what kind of support you use.
hifiharv
351 posts
 
Regarding your query on cart. output: I use the Master now and have had a lower output HOMC Dynavector in the past. Never noticed any difference at all in the perceived volume, presentation, or noise levels. You would think cutting the output in half would make a big difference, but that doesn't seem to happen. Of course, YMMV depending on preamp. I am usine either the George Wright 200C or the Cary SLP 90.
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