I've just ordered a set of 5 Pods from John Townshend...hope it's a wise investment and starting point to appreciate the Scout to its potential.
16 responses Add your response
The scout is a tough table to beat for the money without question. Couldn’t agree more. As long as the basics were right from VPI (many versions out there!). I can’t help but indulge . . . The best ones featured those big 4-hole flange Hurst motors and platters that were properly machined with a recess for the thick record label allowing for optimal record contact. Another necessity would include the silver metal arms including the ones with black heat-shrink damped tubes (Thanks Steve) Absolutely no rubber-tipped cone footers need apply as the metal ball tipped cones sounded better. These preferred Scouts were easily hot-rodded with improved lubrication on their inverted platter spindle bearing and with a 3-set screw motor pulley & VPIs adjustable “lash” bushing on the output shaft, the preferred Hurst 600 rpm motors were easy to access for cleaning & more importantly to apply better lubricate. An improved motor snubber capacitor is also desirable as long as no external motor controller is used to rob PRaT killing precious torque. |
Mass won't help on a suspended hardwood floor, you need some form of decoupling at very low frequencies. Simplest thing to try would be putting some racketball balls under your massive oak base. You can use something like these to sit the balls in so the turntable doesn't roll off the shelf: https://www.amazon.com/UPKOCH-Plastic-Seasoning-Dipping-Appetizer/dp/B0851BLV7X/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1... It's cheap and effective in a lot of cases. |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
I see Townshend Podium units for speakers, where could I find a turntable design/product? Podiums work great for turntables like the Scout. All you do is get one sized for the Scout dimensions and weight. Another option is a Platform, which is similar to Podiums, it uses 4 Pods attached one at each corner. Hard to say which one would be better. I use Pods under mine. You could do that too. Just get or make a shelf of some kind, butcher block or whatever, put it on Pods, put the VPI on the shelf. That is basically what I have. They do make leveling super easy and precise. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 That would probably be your cheapest/best option, with the Podium being even better but for a lot more $$. |
There is an ad now for a acrylic platter and bearing from an Aries II for $300.00, that would be a great way to start and then you would be able to add a peripheral ring clamp. You would need a spacer for the arm, a 300 rpm motor and a pully, ok wait a minute, why don't you just sell the Scout and move up the line. Just sayin |
I'd also call VPI and ask them. They have a good upgrade path. If it is a newer Prime Scout, I see they have a platter upgrade and wiring upgrade for the arm. But do yourself a favor and listen to MillerCarbon. He is generally on target. Your phono pre got 2020 Absolute Sounds award the phono preamp. So it may be up to the task now. But bear in mind, they often make a very big improvement as you go up the line |
Go to the VPI forum. I'd consider VPI upgrades first over aftermarket suggestions. http://vpiforum.com/search.php?keywords=scout+upgrades&sid=ecb01435ef1b04fe9b222cd9c5ec5b07 Is your phonostage the best you can afford? If not, you don't know how good your table can sound. |
The biggest by far, equivalent to a major table upgrade, will be to put the Scout on a Townshend Podium. Like a whole new turntable. Next, Synergistic Research PHT and ECT. Green Dream and Black Beauty PHT, used together, big increase in detail, dynamics, and 3D liquid stage. Get some TA-102 fO.q tape. Remove your cartridge, carefully cut and trim it to fit the head shell. Half the tape is pre-cut into strips. Run one of these strips along the bottom of the arm tube. Look at the close-ups you will see black and green PHT, red ECT, and tape. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 Plaster it everywhere. There’s a lot of it on mine, you just have to look real close to see. Also on the motor pod. I would also try a small piece under each of the motor pod feet. This stuff kills micro-vibrations lowering the noise floor and revealing inner detail like you can’t believe. Actually all these improvements are focused on controlling micro vibrations and isolating vibrating parts from each other. This is the way to get maximum performance from your turntable. Decware ZP3. https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm You won’t need a SUT with your 5mV cartridge, making this an absolute killer upgrade. Not cheap, but will elevate your Scout like you won’t believe. I know, because except for the Decware I have done all these things, and they are awesome. And I did the equivalent of the ZP3 only with a Herron HTPH2A instead. Those now are just about gone. (If you want one do not delay, call Keith today.) Anyway, voice of experience. |
