New turntable/tonearm combo from VPI


I don't know if anyone has already made a post about the new turntable/tonearm combination that VPI is now selling, but I thought making this post might prove useful to the many readers who are contemplating the purchase of an analog front end.

Yesterday's mail brought a promo flyer from Music Direct, which is now selling VPI's new turntable/tonearm combination, called the VPI Scout. The turntable is essentially a scaled-down version of the Aries, with a new 9" version of the JMW tonearm, the JMW-9. The Scout turntable, despite its smaller overall footprint, still offers an outboard stand-alone motor assembly, heavy acrylic platter (from the picture, it appears to be 1" thick), Delrin clamp, and fixed suspension chassis with isolating cone point feet. The JMW-9 tonearm looks virtually identical to the JMW-10/10.5, and comes with a VTA device that can be upgraded to the "on the fly" adjustable VTA base. The platter and bearing assembly are also upgradable.

Music Direct's retail price for the Scout TT and the JMW-9 tonearm combo is $1500.

This TT/tonearm combo should offer a LOT of performance for the price, and is certainly worth consideration by anyone wanting to acquire a modestly priced but good analog front end. If any of our readers already have first-hand experience with this combo, please share your comments with the rest of us.
sdcampbell

Showing 2 responses by chaskelljr2001

Sdcampbell:

I have just read your post just now, and I have went all over the net looking for this VERY turntable. And much to my amazement, I cannot find it. I have checked VPI's website, plus all of the other dealers who I can find on-line who usually carry VPI's products. As I am in the market for an analog front end right now, the VPI Scout/JMW-9 rig sounds like one I may be interested in as well. Though $1,500.00 is the most I am going to pay for a turntable/arm system, but if I can by any chance check out the VPI Scout/JM-9 system and then audition it right along side say......... the Rega Planar 25 and the ProJect Perspective, and if I like the way the new VPI sounds, then maybe I'll be willing to stretch my turntable budget to about $2,000.00 (which then will include the VPI Scout/JMW-9 system + cartridge (which will be in the $500.00 range)). If by any chance you could direct me to either the actual website which will be showing off this new turntable, or if you could scan a picture of this new turntable, then that would be appreciated.

Thanks.........

--Charles--
Bmccormick:

I just did what you told me to do, and sure enough, a picture of the VPI Scout/JMW-9 did appear. If I was buying a turntable based on looks alone, I would have to say that the VPI Scout/JMW-9 looks better to me than the Rega Planar 25/RB600 (which remains one of my top choices by the way). Hey, I might just wait a little longer and stretch that turntable budget to $2,000.00. I am in love with it, and I haven't even heard it yet. I want one already.

--Charles--