Scout drive upgrade


I've had some expensive tables and am back to a humble, stock Scout, which I think is an amazing performer when properly isolated and given a good cart & phono preamp.

I've been listening to it for about six months now and the only thing that does occasionally intrude on my listening is it's noticeably non-exemplary speed stability. Looking at the rubber belt drive, it seems to me that must be a weak point.

I would appreciate suggestions on improving the drive system, either by using a different belt or possibly a total replacement (rim)?
paulfolbrecht
My entry level was the Scout. Right out of the box, I found it very bland but after lots of tweeking, it was excellent. Cloud 10 isolation platform, Mint protactor set up protractor, Ortofon P windfield Cart, Synergistic research tricon interconnect. It was kick ass but took a lot of $ to get there
Hi Paul, I have a VPI Scout with the Super Platter and SDS system and the 300 rpm motor . The tt and motor assembly sit on a sand box containing about 80 lbs. of sand. Once set, I notice no speed instability at all. It is on a dedicated 20 amp circuit for power and the voltage at the wall outlet runs 122-124 volts.
When I got the Super Platter Harry sent with it a new belt that was different from the one that came originally with the Scout.
Regards,
Carter
I should clarify one thing I said in my earlier post in regard to the statement "The SDS will do nothing for you if your turntable speed is not stable.". The SDS can help with stability by providing a clean, stable source of power to the motor.

But, in my experience, speed stability problems have usually been unrelated to power delivery. But there are certainly places in the U.S. and the rest of the world that have less-than-stellar power delivery. The SDS should provide improved stability in those places. I live in Chicago, which is generally known to have very good power delivery. So it's not really an issue for me. The SDS is still valuable as a means of getting exact 33 1/3 speed.

Cheers.
FYI, VPI has told me they will do a Scout rim drive soon, and I intend to try it.

Properly isolated and setup, the bone-stock Scout already takes far more money to substantially better it. I would expect the rim drive to take it significantly further still.