5 tables one choice, opinions please

For classical my choice would be the VPI or Nottingham. Nottingham will give you darker backgrounds but also a warmer sound overall, while still keeping the detail being quick. The Scout is more forward sounding, more emphasis on the highs, about the same detail as the Nottingham. Never quite liked my Rega on classical although it is good table.

With either table I would go for a MC cart for classical as for example the Benz Ace. The Denon DL103R would be a good cart for classical, and does work with the Scout in my own experience (although not the best match, calculation wise). The Benz can be had as high output version and will go into a MM input on the phonostage.

For your info: I owned Michell Tecno, Rega P3, VPI Scout and heard the Nottingham extensively.

Good luck!

Rene

Nottingham untill I found out it has a very low torque motor and my dad is old school and likes to clean his records on the platter which most likely won't work without him spinning the platter.

No, the Nottingham won't work - if you apply too much pressure to the platter, it will stop. Actually the turntable is designed that way - you stop it by simply stopping the platter from rotating.

I have heard several negatives about VPI being bright

Having heard three of the above table, the VPI is the "brightest" table. It still has a nice balance top to bottom, even compared to the Rega which slightly emphasizes the mids and the fairly warm sounding Nottingham. Mating it wit the right cartridge would be essential.

Including the SDS in the VPI does stabilize the speed and makes sure the speed is accuratly 33.3rpm. I would not run any table anymore without the possibility of finetuning the speed.

One thing to keep in mind: The VPI is a unipivot which might ot be ideal for your dad as hands tend to get shaky with age.

Good luck,

Rene

One more suggestion; Why not get an older style Thorens 125, 126, 150 or 160? I am sure your dad might appreciate the semi-automatic Thorens tables.

In fact, I just picked up a Thorens TD166MKII for a great price and will let it run against the Scout soon.

Rene

Bill (Audiofeil), The Spacedeck ($3000) is almost twice the price of the Scout ($1600). The Horizon is much closer in price to the Scout. Of course, the Spacedeck is a far better table than any of the VPIs, I heard to date (including the VPI Junior TNT etc.). As for the Horizon-Scout comparison, I am not sure which one would take the lead.

If considering table above $2K, I would also take into account the new Galibier Serac that is due out this Fall. For $2.5K including RB250, it sounds like one of the best prospects for good sound.

Rene