purchasing a Scout/Scoutmaster: need input please
Agypsy...the Dyna 20X is highly recommended by VPI and they actually sell it with their tables (http://www.vpiindustries.com/products_dyno1.htm) because of the synergy with JMW-9 tonearm. Good luck. |
There are some very "high end" audiophiles buying and upgrading The Technics 1200 MK II and MKIII, a Canadian friend of mine sold his $6000 Raven one and is putting together an upgraded Technics 1200 MKII. If I were you, I would look into this aspect of turntable upgrade first. Look at Albert Porter's Technics upgrade thread here on A'gon, he sold off his Walker Black Diamond in favor of the upgraded Technics 1200MK II (or maybe the III, I'm not sure). Anyway, check into it, you may be doing yourself a favor. I was tempted to offer to buy it from you, but chose to to do the honorable thing. Regards, Dan |
Hi I am in the same boat. I have a new in the box Scoutmaster Sig, Benz Ace H, and Mint protractor ready to be set up. But I also have a Technics 1200 MKII with an At150 MLX, Mapleshade heavy footers, different mats and headshell. Don't know whether to further mod the Technics or set up the VPI. I don't have the room for both. SB |
IMO-I would focus on your system as a whole. I totally agree with upgrading your TT-and the VPIs are awesome TTs-I wish I had one. But for $2500 or so, I would opt for a gently used P3/Sota Comet/mmf so I could upgrade to a good quality integrated amp at the same time, or buy separate components 10-15 years old-like McCormack, Classe, Counterpoint, etc. Just food for thought. |
I was a Technics dealer in the days when they made far better tables than they do now and am astounded at the vogue for the 1200, which the other experienced audiophiles of my acquaintance all regard as a DJ table. If any of you out there have a Raven or similar table you are tired of I will gladly send you a new 1200 in exchange. Actually, I wouldn't, i'd try to talk you out of getting rid of it. I suspect that they are popular with those who want their LPs to sound like their CDs. |
I own a VPI Scout TT and had it with the Dynavector 20XL cartridge. The sound was truly very fast, detailed and magical. Unfortunately, the suspension collapsed on the cartridge (I bought it used) so I changed to a ZU/Denon DL 103 cartridge. While very impressive, it isn't in the same league as the Dynavector. When finances permit, I will have the Dynavector repaired. I think the Scout with the Dynavector is the way to go. It's a lot of bang for the buck and the VPI has incredible build quality. Build quality is as good as your Studor tape decks. I used to sell Studor many many years ago, great recorders. |
Sorry for going oftopic but I think it is great that you still record using tapemachines. I spoke with a recording engineer some time ago and he partly blamed many of todays bad cd productions on the abuse of pro-tools. Ontopic. I would advise you to buy a second hand VPI scout, and a new cart. Depending on budget and taste a Benz, Lyra, Dynavector or Grado cart would do great. I have heard VPI wil Benz and Lyra, I prefer Lyra, Benz is more coloured I think, some people like the Benz sound but I don't think they are that neutral. Don't buy your cart online, but go to a specialist and let them install the cart for you. I think installing a cart is not that hard but people who install cart once in a blue moon can get 90% out of the cart. A true specialist can set your table up so you can get 100% out of your cart, table arm combo. In a studio where some I sometimes come with some other audiofiels uses to play with our audio. OTARI MX 80 24 tracks 2 inch. Dolby A. TASCAM MSR 24 S 24 tracks 1 inch Dolby S. Studer B67 Telefunken M10. FOSTEX B 16 16 sporen ½ inch Dolby C. TASCAM synchronizer ( 48 tracks possible) . |
hey Mordante, cool, i see you have some tape machines as well! my friend has an M10 and it sounds wonderful. i did a special guest Q&A on gearslutz.com where i'm completely bashing pro tools. digital is great for editing but it will never sound like tape! it's here if you're interested http://www.gearslutz.com/board/q-russell-elevado/ ok back on topic :) thanks for the advice, i agree with you. i will try and set up myself but i know i might now get it to 100%. |
Now that you are going to set it up yourself I will suggest you get a Mint Protractor. That will get your cartridge perfect and you'll mainly only have to worry about setting the tracking and rake. It's not that hard and is well worth the effort. I'm sure many will chime in on the merits of a Mint. There is one currently listed here on the 'Gon with a mint: SM/Mint LP |
Agypsy, I tried to edit my original post but another poster posted before i got it posted. I asked some of the same questions before I bought the Scoutmaster. The answer I got then was that the Scoutmaster was a big upgrade over the Scout.I can assure you that the signature arm is no small upgrade either. Now obviously, I have a vested interest in which table you choose since I am the owner of the Scoutmaster you listed. The better table by far(the Scoutmaster) is $700 cheaper which IMO makes it a no brainer. There is nothing gained by speending $700 more for an inferior table, unless buying new is a necessity to you. However, a Scoutmaster and cartridge which has very few miles on it is a much better buy IMO. Now if a new SM and cart were $700 more, it may be a consideration. But I'd not pay $700 more for an inferior TT. But that's just me. I've bought new, used and demo and have not been disappointed with my purchases. But i did my homework and would urge you to do the same and make yourself comfortable with your decision. This may seem like a shameless plug for my Scoutmaster. But I'd say the same about any SM which is in good shape. I'd urge you to do some research and read some reviews for yourself and make the decision which makes you happy. Regards |
