VPI Scout or GEM Dandy PolyTable

Have a Phoenix Engineering Roadrunner Tachometer attached. Plus a Phoenix Eagle PSU. With the stock PSU my PolyTable runs dead on. But speed will vary with wall current variability, same as with any AC synchronous motor. Of course, even with the quartz controlled Eagle PSU speed can still vary with warm up etc. Without the Roadrunner tach connected to the Eagle, speed increases about 0.02 RPM when the system gets warmed up. That is the beauty of the Roadrunner/Eagle combo. When connected, speed is adjusted every revolution if necessary. So sure, get a Quartz PSU with a speed control. Ron Sutherland designed the optional PSU that goes with the PolyTable. So I’m sure it is top notch.

Re: VPI customer service, I have no personal experience.
Just a recent Audiogon thread where it was being debated.
Believe it was asserted that problems must go through the dealer.
Do have experience with PolyTable however. George is happy to take your call personally, and has a wealth of information which he is happy to share.

Rotarius, as the owner of several vintage turntables including a Technics SP-10MKIII, I tend to agree. But the Shinola is a well made 50lb turntable with a built in phono stage even though I prefer direct drive.

In all my years and 3 different VPI turntables, I never, ever had customer support problems with them.  They always answered the phone and made arrangements for me.  When I broke my cuing lever, Matt sent me a new one no charge, even though the turntable was 10 years old and was bought used.  To me, that is excellent customer service.

Yeah, from a Audiophile perspective, I try and find products that aren't overpriced for the sake of being overpriced. This is why the Polytable originally caught my eye.

1600 for the base model, nice tonearm, no fuss no muss.

The only reason I started looking is because the amount of bounce the Thorens has, its an amazing sounding table. So I would need to see just how much I could sell that for before I dive much deeper.

That said, I am leaning towards the PolyTable if I do decide to change tables.

R

Shinola: Wow, it's amazing how little 2500 bucks gets you these days.  Just a pretty deck with no isolation, no anti-skate, no speed control. Can't even find it's weight.  Am I wrong?  Does this thing even have a dust cover?  
Personally, I would get a nice vintage JVC, Technics or Kenwood and upgrade the tonearm and get a better setup for a lot less.

You may want to look at these. They use parts sourced by VPI to make a lovely product for 2500.00.
https://www.shinola.com/audio.html

Got the Jelco SA 750D option.
Extra $100 over the 250 likely worth it b/o reviews.
Also got the Hana EL cartridge with it.
Probably a good part of why it sounds so good.
George uses that himself and will mount it for you.
Got a Sutherland 20/20 phono stage and Ron Sutherland uses the Hana.
He also speaks highly of the PolyTable.
I was persuaded by all the reviews for both those products that say
their SQ is way above their price point.
Scout may sound better than its price also.
But VPI customer service can be iffy.
George Merrill customer service is as good as it gets.

The scout is the most honest turntable value.  I have heard tables costing over 5 grand and no desire to upgrade.  The only thing is it is a unipivot with requires solid setup knowledge and execution.  When setup well, the airy sound and detail will rival many tables that cost much more.

Thanks for the details @leotis  what tonearm did you get?

 TAS 2015 "Product of the Year"

Started recent "$2000 turntable?" thread.
After researching a lot of good advice I went with the PolyTable.
Glad I did.
Fremer calls it Stereophile Class B. (August issue)
Recent positive TAS review: "Editors Choice"
Had considered Scout also.
Haven't A/B tested but, based on extensive research,
no doubt in my mind the PolyTable sounds better.
George Merrell is a "Living Legend" for a reason.
He is also a wonderful guy.
I'd give him a call.

 That is a very good point, I agree not something to write off just yet. Once I try a non-suspended table design, I should have a better idea where I stand. I will report back after the testing is completed.

I wouldn't discount the Polytable because of it's weight or use of polymers.  You get a great tonearm that makes cartridge swapping easy.  From an engineering standpoint, a non-metallic chassis is not necessarily a bad thing.

@raymonda I still might go with looking at a different table, going to test my brothers non-suspension table. If it does improve the footfall issues I have, then I will let you know and list my table here on A'gon.

Thx.

Ok, so regarding the bouncy floor... what about throwing something like a Mapleshade or Ginkgo Cloud platform under the Thorens?

If your VTA is good you can just shim it in the future, if you replace the cartridge. The rewiring is another smart move on your part.

@raymonda
No VTA Adjustment.
Forget, also have done a Cardas cable upgrade to the tonearm cable.
I’ll take a look at tonearm options.

@mb1audio02 just a vapor barrier and earth. I am on 2x14 floor joists every 12’

If you can wedge something between your stand and wall to give it a secondary place to rest against it will stabilize it further.

It sounds like you have done a nice job of modding and updating your table. A bit of dynamat placed on the chassis would be the next logical move. Correct me, but I don't think you can't adjust the VTA with the 202? If you find a 250 you can get a Michell VTA system, which is not expensive.

Also, upgrade the tone arm cable would be a good idea.

You are about 85% as far as you can go with the table. Might as well go the rest of the way. 

What's under the crawl space?

@raymonda I am running my TD-150 with a Rega RB-202 tonearm, Ortofon 2M bronze cart, and a custom walnut plinth/armboard.

I removed the speed selection knob and replaced the speed control with a Music Hall Cruise Control.

Upgrades are in pretty good shape. I'll check out my stand options. I was doing research on sandboxes and other options last night.

Thanks again!

R

Use a stand that you can bolt to the wall. Rega makes a nice one. Also, changing out your tone arm for a better one will go a long way towards improving your sound.

Jelco and Rega work well and will fit the size of your arm board. You'll need to replace your arm board with a new one to drill it for a proper fit.

enjoy. 

@raymonda thanks for the insight... you might be on to something. I really do love my TD-150. It is completely refurbished, and has a custom walnut plinth to match my amp/phono pre.

The biggest frustration I have is not with the table but with the footfall I am getting due to it being on a wood floor, on a crawl space.

I am going to look into some ways to improve isolation.

Maybe something like this to get started: http://herbiesaudiolab.net/compfeet.htm

I would upgrade and modify the 150 and you'll have a table that will be as good and maybe better than both. However, if you must part it either table is nice and should be auditioned. 

Btw, f you want to sell your 150, contact me.

Any reason to not look at the Scout Jr. As an option?

Go with the Scout.  I have had mine for over 10 years and everytime I think about changing, I ask myself why.  The Scout is built to last a lifetime.

Scout no doubt. How much does the Polytable weigh? The Scout is a solid table with excellent build quality and components. Can't go wrong and consider resale value.