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Advice needed on upgrading tonearm for VPI SCOUTMASTER

Greetings all!

I have an older early 90's Scoutmaster turntable with a JMW 9 unipivot tonearm. Not wanting to spend a bundle on a new turntable, I figured that a less expensive upgrade would be to replace the tonearm.  The platter and plinth are both sturdy and built like tanks.  And the table is in "as new" shape (see virtual system).  I contacted VPI to see if an upgrade would be available and if it would be sonically worth considering.  They said that "current technology and engineering have improved, with much lower incidence of resonance."  I have an older Sonic Frontiers phono preamp that was upgraded by Parts Conexion in Canada.  I also have a Benz Micro Glider MC cart with very few hours.  

The upgraded JMR 9 unipivot arm with standard wire would cost around $1,300. It would cost a few hundred more for reference wire. 

Is upgrading a crazy idea, or should I consider a new table, which I really did not want to consider ($$$).  AND, is spending a few more dollars on reference tonearm wire worth it?  

Any input would be appreciated.  Cheers!

judsauce

Showing 2 responses by ije

ije
29 posts
 

Nice system you have.

You can upgrade to a 9" JMW SIgnature reference arm with nordost and pair it with a new cartridge.  

You can also upgrade to the 10" 3D arm.  VPI will provide a mountboard adapter.

I have the same VPI Scoutmaster purchased new in the 90's and I am still rocking it. Upgraded over the years from JMW 9 to 9" SIg Reference and now the 10" 3D tonearm.

This Scoutmaster is one hell of a table.  Built like a tank!  I have no interest in replacing this table.  I have it fully upgraded to the max with outboard flywheel belt and rim drives  .. per HW himself in multiple conversations while i was upgrading my table over the years.. performance same level as SuperScoutmaster.

So go for it.   Scoutmaster is one heck of a table!

ije
29 posts
 

Vas Nova cartridge works well with the unipivot arm and I agree with the statement above on Steve.   I have the Vas Nova MC cart on my 3D 10.5  arm on the Scoutmaster and have been quite pleased with it.  It replaced a Shelter 901 MC cart that I had with the 9 inch Sig Ref arm.

Steve is definitely a great guy to talk to.   A new cartridge might just be the ticket if you decide to stick with the 9" arm.

 

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