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Advice needed on upgrading tonearm for VPI SCOUTMASTER

Greetings all!

I have an older early 90's Scoutmaster turntable with a JMW 9 unipivot tonearm. Not wanting to spend a bundle on a new turntable, I figured that a less expensive upgrade would be to replace the tonearm.  The platter and plinth are both sturdy and built like tanks.  And the table is in "as new" shape (see virtual system).  I contacted VPI to see if an upgrade would be available and if it would be sonically worth considering.  They said that "current technology and engineering have improved, with much lower incidence of resonance."  I have an older Sonic Frontiers phono preamp that was upgraded by Parts Conexion in Canada.  I also have a Benz Micro Glider MC cart with very few hours.  

The upgraded JMR 9 unipivot arm with standard wire would cost around $1,300. It would cost a few hundred more for reference wire. 

Is upgrading a crazy idea, or should I consider a new table, which I really did not want to consider ($$$).  AND, is spending a few more dollars on reference tonearm wire worth it?  

Any input would be appreciated.  Cheers!

judsauce
tablejockey
3,790 posts
 

If it's just the same arm "updated " I would just try a new cart.

Wouldn't a VPI upgrade would be the 10"3d. I don't know if that's  an option-armboard?

 

gpgr4blu
1,078 posts
 

I preferred the standard wire sound to the reference wire which is Nordost. Don't assume that the reference wire is better just because it costs more. It is a different flavor.

Do you have the metal arm or 3D printed? The 3D is a pretty big upgrade. 

judsauce OP
115 posts
 

Thanks folks. 

It's a metal wand. And I can't update to a longer one. Wouldn't work with current arm board.

Judging by the response, I guess it's not a great idea.

ije
29 posts
 

Nice system you have.

You can upgrade to a 9" JMW SIgnature reference arm with nordost and pair it with a new cartridge.  

You can also upgrade to the 10" 3D arm.  VPI will provide a mountboard adapter.

I have the same VPI Scoutmaster purchased new in the 90's and I am still rocking it. Upgraded over the years from JMW 9 to 9" SIg Reference and now the 10" 3D tonearm.

This Scoutmaster is one hell of a table.  Built like a tank!  I have no interest in replacing this table.  I have it fully upgraded to the max with outboard flywheel belt and rim drives  .. per HW himself in multiple conversations while i was upgrading my table over the years.. performance same level as SuperScoutmaster.

So go for it.   Scoutmaster is one heck of a table!

pinwa
237 posts
 

VPI has made so many similar sounding turntables and tonearms it is difficult to give you advice as to what would be an upgrade over what you have.  I had the VPI Aries Scout with a 9" JMW arm and currently own the VPI Super Scoutmaster with the 10.5" JMW arm.  Everything about the Scoutmaster is better so I have no idea how much of a difference the arm is making.  A friend of mine has the 3D printed VPI arm as well as the Fatboy and he claims they are better.  My guess is that is true but they are also quite a bit more expensive than $1300.  Personally, I wouldn't buy what they are trying to sell you.  I would invest in a different cartridge or maybe a phono stage but I am unfamiliar with your Sonic Frontier.  I think it is much more likely that that will give you the improvement you seek.  If you did want to try a different arm I would get a 9" Audiomods Series 6 arm for about $1500.  That was a nice improvement over the stock arms on both my Rega P6 and Technics SL-1210GR.

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