2. analog
  3. 137277-112139

LOOKING TO MAKE A TURNTABLE CHANGE, HOPEFULLY AN IMPROVEMENT

 I started with a VPI Scout, and then upgraded to a VPI Scoutmaster. I find the sound of my CD collection to be superior. Vinyl advocates insist that I am missing the boat and claim vinyl delivers the sonic goods.
 I was advised that the acrylic platter that came with my Scoutmaster was the reason the sound was not up to par.
 The cost to upgrade the Scoutmasster with  a steel platter and bearing is $1000.00.  Not looking
 to spend any more money with VPI. Not knocking their products, just have spent much money with them with
 less than expected results. Assuming I wish to listen to my 180-200 gram vinyl recordings I am looking for
 alternatives. I wish to stay loyal to my audio dealer who is always there to help me. He sells Project, VPI and
 Thorens. I would sell my Scoutmaster which should net me about $1000.00, and I would put $1500.00 of my own
money toward a new turntable.  Any thoughts?  Thank you in advance.  Note: I am sure VPI makes a wonderful
product, but I have not perfsonally had a great audio experience. 
kjl1065

Showing 1 response by mulveling

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,154 posts
 
Between your dealer’s VPI, Project, and Thorens, sticking with that Scoutmaster is really the best choice. Sound like you’ve perhaps got a bad mechanical/electrical mismatch somewhere in the chain, or a significant cartridge/arm setup issue, or maybe the cartridge itself isn’t up to snuff.

I got into vinyl 11 years ago with a used SOTA Star, Fidelity Reasearch arm, used Dynavector P75 phono stage, and new Benz Glider L2 cartridge for 3200 bucks total outlay - and it annihilated the digital options in that price range, at that time (killed my Meridian G08). This should still mostly be the case, if you get good matches & alignments, and a good enough cartridge.

I have a buddy running a Scoutmaster with 3D arm, Ortofon Jubilee, Rogue Ares, and he prefers it to the PS Audio DirectStream DAC.
More to discover