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My impression of VPI Scout

Guys,
I'd like share my impression of VPI Scout player.
I have been looking for a new TT in $1000...1500 range.
Rega P25 and Scout are on my list of contenders.
I was able to audition VPI Scout and Rega P3 tables pretty much in very similar systems. P25 was not available.
I was very obvious that Scout is more neutral and extended on both freq. extremes. Low end was better delineated and rich. I'd say that it also had better, deeper and wider soundstage. Rega sounded more uptight with more confused soundstage. Interesting part was that Rega had more speed and rhythm then scout. I have listened to some rhythmic jazz and Rega always had more drive and better pace. For some reason Scout was too polite and smooth to express ups and downs of musical dance. I was expecting more of PRAT from Scout. I don't know if this was a poor system setup issue of something else.
I'd love to hear from Scout owners (or audio gurus) if you think Scout is more rhythmic player then Rega P25 or P3.
Any comments will be much appreciated.

Thanks
Sergey

PS: I think, Scout had one of Benz Micro Cartridges ( It had M2 written on it ) and Rega had usual Elyse.
gurevise

Showing 2 responses by psychicanimal

psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Sounds to me like your soul is searching for a direct drive deck: neutrality, smoothness and excellent PRAT (excuse me Ken--boogie factor!). Lak was here yesterday and while I was instaling a cartridge on his TT he got a chance to listen to my KAB modded Technics 1200 with its latest upgrade, the outboard regulated power supply (which has ten times the stock unit's capacitance). I later disconected the external power supply and the musical presentation slowed down. I asked Lak how could the belt drives in the under $3K could compete with this quartz locked speed sensing/correction mechanism? With lots of lead? Right...

The Rega's belt drives the platter from the center axis, while the VPI's is driven on the perimeter of the platter. The Rega is more stable.

Remember, the record contains 50% of the music--the other 50% is the time domain axis and is up to the platter to deliver it. This is all about speed/rotational stability. What you loose you can't compensate for by later upgrading cartridges, tonearms, wires, etc.

turntable pitch stability

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psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Steve, the closer to the axle a platter is driven, the better. Did you ever spin wood tops when you were a child?

For the record, I'm not against belt drives. My CD transport is belt driven--way to go...
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