SCOUTMASTER TO ARIES 3

Just one man's opinion, but if you add the new flywheel/ motor ($900 retail); the SDS; the ring clamp and the center weight, I have to believe the Aries 3 will best the Super Scoutmaster. The Aries 3 has the new sandwich plinth (acrylic/aluminum); can be purchased with the 10.5 arm. Logically, the only advantage the SSM has over the A3 is the HR-X motor. By upgrading to the flywheel/motor, you essentially equal the performance of the HR-X motor. I have the A2 with a 10.5 arm; flywheel/motor; ring clamp and center weight and I am in vinyl heaven. The only advantage the HR-x has over my rig is the suspension, but I am on a cement slab (basement) and I have the table on a custom made 4 1/2" maple butcher block. Not to mention, in my humble opinion, the Aries is nicer looking than the SSM.

Scubabiker
The motor/flywheel comes with a pair of belts, one from the motor pulley to the flywheel and a second from the flywheel to the platter. In fact, VPI will send you a second belt for the platter just for the asking as they find a second belt provides greater speed stability. Keep in mind gentlemen, and this is important, if you are going to add a flywheel, you MUST use some kind of speed controller. It is for this reason that any table VPI sells with the HR-x motor, i.e. SSM or HR-x comes with an SDS as stock. I use a PS Audio P500 for speed control. With the new upgrade, it is adjustable to a 1/16 of a Hz. Without a speed controller, the table will run slow. So anyone contemplating the motor/flywheel upgrade better account for a speed controller in the equation.

Triode123
The butcher block was custom made for me. Truth be told, it was made before I went with the motor/flywheel upgrade and now the rubber feet of the motor on the left side extend out slightly over the beveled edge. I can only hope it is not affecting the performance of the table. The motor is quite stable so I tend to doubt it.

Scubabiker:

Paul McGowan @ PS Audio recently tackled your issue , but as to a P300. I presume the same applies to the P500. Bottom line: Not to worry. See below.

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/psaudio/messages/9141.html

Actually, SME is introducing a new 12" arm, the SME 312S. See excerpt from Stereophile newsletter:

But the allure of a 12" arm was too strong to deter Robertson-Aikman. He extended the magnesium barrel of an SME Series V arm to 12", along with careful sleeving, superb pressure fitting, the right touch of adhesive, and that inimitable SME finish. The result is the SME Model 312S, which probably has the lowest mass of any 12" arm ever made. It can be used with cartridges in the normal weight range of 6-15gm, and with compliances not deemed too low or too high by most makers.