Dynavector 17D3 hitting clamp on VPI Scout

Hi, A mat won't solve anything for you. It also requires raising the tonearm, to maintain proper vertical tracking angle and stylus rake angle. I have a Dynavector XX2MKII cartridge, and have not had any problems such as yours. I have used the clamp that came with the table, the Stainless heavy VPI weight, and now a TTW (Turn Table Weights) heavy brass clamp that works very well, and is a joy to look at. I don't recall anyone else having this problem, and there's quite a few Scouts out there using the same cartridge as you are, so I am surprised to hear this. If it's a newer version of the Scout, perhaps they changed the clamp. Try giving VPI a call, and report the problem, I'm sure they can come up with a solution.

Good luck,
Dan

On the subject of mats/clamps, I am using a TTW copper mat, with the heavy brass VPI TTW clamp. To get the clamp to work with the mat, I had to modify it by grinding down a 1/4" 20 nut to just the right size, and pressing it into the clamp, to make the threads extend down far enough to enable tightening the clamp on the lp. I then squeezed the VPI washer between two steel plates to the proper thickness and baked it at 300 degrees for about 25 minutes. It is just the right thickness. The TTW clamp has a concave radius on its bottom side, so when the clamp is tightened, all but the very worst warps are flattened out and playable. A very important benefit is the solid contact now between the bottom of the lp, and the Mapleshade Integrated Record Coupling System, which concentrates the area of contact to three points on the copper mat. This helps to drain vibration into the mat(s), which has made vinyl playback have a clarity I have never heard before from my table. This works, but feel I must be some kind of nutcase whenever I mention it, as no one seems willing to try it. Pierre Sprey may be eccentric, but he is not a nutcase, and the proof is in the listening.

Yours in music,
Dan

Geoff, I have made that assumption. As long as the bearing stays lubricated, I believe it to be plenty stout enough to handle the extra weight. Between the copper mat and the brass clamp, it's probably close to an extra five pounds it is supporting. All I know is the sound from the Scout is astounding to me now, I feel I have finally fulfilled the promise that vinyl offered, but eluded me for years, until I figured out how to unlock the secrets to fulfill that promise. Whew! At last!

Best of luk,
Dan