VPI upgrade?


I'd like to upgrade my turntable, a VPI Scout 1.1. w/ Ortofon 2M Black cart....

Question, staying with VPI, is  Prime a significant upgrade? Also, using a Channel Island phono pre...I'll be buying used, budget $3500.

I might regret this, any other sugestions?

 

larseand

I have the Aries Scout and changed the cart to AT 0C9XSL and recently swapped out the spike ft for the VPI classic signature feet. That update made the table a lot more stable with slightly improved sound. I think the AT cart sounds lively and full on that table. I use with the Parasound JC3jr stage. I’m happy. I play jazz and classical mostly. 

'Just found this at Upscale:

VPI Super Prime Scout 21 Turntable w/ 10.5" Tonearm & VTA On the Fly

$4800 list, sale, $3499...Thoughts?'

Get the exact table WITH a nice MC cartridge

VPI Super Scout w/ Kiseki Blue Cartridge For Sale - US Audio Mart

 

If you have a Scout 1.1, why not just upgrade to a better version of the Scout?  Call VPI and as them about your options.

I am also in the minority in that I believe that the tonearm contributes more to ultimate sound satisfaction than the drive unit or cartridge once a certain high level of overall quality and set-up is reached. Put differently, assuming that the foundation for the turntable is fundamentally solid, that the plinth is well chosen for the drive unit, that the drive unit has no glaring flaws, the choice and selection of the tonearm is the most important, critical aspect for overall sound. 
I have used this example before and it is an example that virtually no one would ever implement but, perhaps, me. If one were to take the highly lauded Merrill-Williams Gem Dandy turntable and mate it with any Reed tonearm and virtually any of the many good but moderately priced cartridges properly set up, I can assure you the sound would compete with anything else available. 

Besides Pure Fidelity, Merrill-Williams's range of turntables are worth a look.