I haven't heard the Scoutmaster, but it was on my short list with the Pro-ject RM10. I went with the RM10 because my excellent dealer, Soundings in Greenwood Village, CO, carried Sumiko products and I'd just bought Vienna Acoustic's Beethovan Baby Grand speakers from this guy a few weeks before.
After a little more than a month living with the Pro-ject I have no misgivings whatsoever. Combined with the Sumiko Blackbird cartridge and Pro-ject's Tube Box I hear stunning resolution and musical delivery.
The very first cut that I played was from one of my D2D recordings of Harry James. I play trumpet and when I do my dachshund moans. CD and SACDs don't phase her. When Harry started his solo on the cut "Corner Pocket" she started moaning within two bars. She was hearing the total sound of trumpet, not some homoginized, scaled down replica. I could hear the real sound of trumpet.
Despite having about 1000 albums going back to the late 1950s, I've quickly invested another $1000 in new vinyl. Analogue Production's Fantasy 45 Series is full of great albums by top artists. Ella and Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery Trio, Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, Basie and others all sound great. Wow! Those are fantastic recordings.
I don't have the Speed Box. Listening to a lot of piano I'm not feeling a need since they seem rock-steady. That big platter and magnetic repulsion almost eliminate friction. (With the belt off the platter will spin a long while if you run it up around 45 rpm and let it go). Anyway, that low friction and high mass seem to control speed very well. I may borrow a Speed Box to try in the system to see if it makes a difference.
When you consider the fabulous 10", carbon fiber arm and isolation platter that's included in the package, I couldn't see getting the 9.1. You could easily spend the price difference on the isolation platform alone.
As for those old recordings, I'm hearing them in new light. The richness of inner detail has me spellbound. The equivalent CDs are unlistenable in comparision.
I'm now looking around for HiDef analogue to digital devices, like the Alesis or Sound Devices 722 to record these incredible sounds and get them into my iPhone and iTunes at work and on the go.
Anyway, the RM10 is the real thing. Like I said, I haven't heard the Scoutmaster, and I'm sure's it's good, but in the price range you will be very happy with the Pro-ject. It's well engineered and constructed and delivers excellent sound quality.
I hear that Fremer has a review ready for release soon. I hope that's true. I'd love to read his comparision to the competition in this price slot and above.
I know this is an old thread, but no one seemed to offer a view from the Pro-ject camp, so I thought I'd chime in.
Dave
After a little more than a month living with the Pro-ject I have no misgivings whatsoever. Combined with the Sumiko Blackbird cartridge and Pro-ject's Tube Box I hear stunning resolution and musical delivery.
The very first cut that I played was from one of my D2D recordings of Harry James. I play trumpet and when I do my dachshund moans. CD and SACDs don't phase her. When Harry started his solo on the cut "Corner Pocket" she started moaning within two bars. She was hearing the total sound of trumpet, not some homoginized, scaled down replica. I could hear the real sound of trumpet.
Despite having about 1000 albums going back to the late 1950s, I've quickly invested another $1000 in new vinyl. Analogue Production's Fantasy 45 Series is full of great albums by top artists. Ella and Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery Trio, Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, Basie and others all sound great. Wow! Those are fantastic recordings.
I don't have the Speed Box. Listening to a lot of piano I'm not feeling a need since they seem rock-steady. That big platter and magnetic repulsion almost eliminate friction. (With the belt off the platter will spin a long while if you run it up around 45 rpm and let it go). Anyway, that low friction and high mass seem to control speed very well. I may borrow a Speed Box to try in the system to see if it makes a difference.
When you consider the fabulous 10", carbon fiber arm and isolation platter that's included in the package, I couldn't see getting the 9.1. You could easily spend the price difference on the isolation platform alone.
As for those old recordings, I'm hearing them in new light. The richness of inner detail has me spellbound. The equivalent CDs are unlistenable in comparision.
I'm now looking around for HiDef analogue to digital devices, like the Alesis or Sound Devices 722 to record these incredible sounds and get them into my iPhone and iTunes at work and on the go.
Anyway, the RM10 is the real thing. Like I said, I haven't heard the Scoutmaster, and I'm sure's it's good, but in the price range you will be very happy with the Pro-ject. It's well engineered and constructed and delivers excellent sound quality.
I hear that Fremer has a review ready for release soon. I hope that's true. I'd love to read his comparision to the competition in this price slot and above.
I know this is an old thread, but no one seemed to offer a view from the Pro-ject camp, so I thought I'd chime in.
Dave