VPI Scout 1.1

[PHC1]

Anyone hear this table yet? Thoughts? I have developed interest in it for an additional system in the house.

[cmalak]

Serge...I have not heard it but I have heard the original Scout which I thought was decent for the money. it had a warmish character and was bit on the slow side but that had the acrylic platter and I believe Harry Weisfeld has also made mods to the JMW tonearm since then in both materials and design, apart from switching out the platter from acrylic to aluminum. The original Scout still delivered a lot of performance for the buck and was reviewed very positively. Here's a review of the Scout 2 from EnjotheMusic.com, which I believe is a transitional version of the Scout (i.e., original Scout but with the steel platter): World Premiere VPI Scout 2 Turntable A new platter and tonearm transforms the Scout into the new Scout 2. Review By Anthony Nicosia

I believe the Scout 1.1 has still more updates/modifications thant the Scout 2, though, so this review may not be as relevant. But I thought I would post just in case. The original Scout reviews can be found all over the net and on VPIs site. Although when you visit their site, both the Scout 1.1 and Scout 2 are up there so not sure what the story is.

Is the table for your son or for another system you are putting together?

PS: Don't forget they also have a newer entry level table called The Traveler which has also been getting very good reviews in the $1,200 price range I believe

[petro85]

Yes it's a little confusing. But I don't think they will make the original scout anymore. Just the 1.1 I had the original scout and i added the classic platter upgrade and it came with a 9t arm also. So I think that would be the same as the 2 . The 1.1 platter is different. They also have a 9s arm upgrade that I think has the Valhalla wiring in it. Looks like the 1.1 platter doesn't have the ability to use the ring clamp . i could be wrong though. There are alot of choices. Good luck.

[1KW]

I know this is a scout thread but you might also want to look at one of these
Platter and Clamp | Michell Engineering

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I know this is a scout thread but you might also want to look at one of these
Platter and Clamp | Michell Engineering

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Serge...I have not heard it but I have heard the original Scout which I thought was decent for the money. it had a warmish character and was bit on the slow side but that had the acrylic platter and I believe Harry Weisfeld has also made mods to the JMW tonearm since then in both materials and design, apart from switching out the platter from acrylic to aluminum. The original Scout still delivered a lot of performance for the buck and was reviewed very positively. Here's a review of the Scout 2 from EnjotheMusic.com, which I believe is a transitional version of the Scout (i.e., original Scout but with the steel platter): World Premiere VPI Scout 2 Turntable A new platter and tonearm transforms the Scout into the new Scout 2. Review By Anthony Nicosia

I believe the Scout 1.1 has still more updates/modifications thant the Scout 2, though, so this review may not be as relevant. But I thought I would post just in case. The original Scout reviews can be found all over the net and on VPIs site. Although when you visit their site, both the Scout 1.1 and Scout 2 are up there so not sure what the story is.

Is the table for your son or for another system you are putting together?

PS: Don't forget they also have a newer entry level table called The Traveler which has also been getting very good reviews in the $1,200 price range I believe

Cyril, thanks for all the info! I am looking for a darker, meatier tonal balance but I don't want to spend Aries 3 money! I thought perhaps this Scout 1.1 would uphold that similar tonal quality. I know the new Classics are supposed to be a bit more neutral overall.

It's for a project I have in mind. My son is very happy with his Pro-Ject Xperience table.

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Cyril, thanks for all the info! I am looking for a darker, meatier tonal balance but I don't want to spend Aries 3 money! I thought perhaps this Scout 1.1 would uphold that similar tonal quality. I know the new Classics are supposed to be a bit more neutral overall.

It's for a project I have in mind. My son is very happy with his Pro-Ject Xperience table.

Serge...I hear you. My bias is to go for the most neutral table as possible and do the voicing via the cartridge. The table to me ought to deliver pitch and speed stability and vibration isolation. This way you can have a blank canvas and use the cartridge options as your paint whether you want to go icy blue or warmish red. Just a thought. And again, I have not heard the recent VPI incarnations, so it could be that they have all become a bit more neutral but hopefully somebody else here on AA who has extensive experience with the tts can chime in.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Serge...I hear you. My bias is to go for the most neutral table as possible and do the voicing via the cartridge. The table to me ought to deliver pitch and speed stability and vibration isolation. This way you can have a blank canvas and use the cartridge options as your paint whether you want to go icy blue or warmish red. Just a thought.

Cyril.......I like the way you described the qualities that are important to you. That is a unique way to express the place and importance of the different parts of vinyl playback. Well said.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Serge...I hear you. My bias is to go for the most neutral table as possible and do the voicing via the cartridge. The table to me ought to deliver pitch and speed stability and vibration isolation. This way you can have a blank canvas and use the cartridge options as your paint whether you want to go icy blue or warmish red. Just a thought. And again, I have not heard the recent VPI incarnations, so it could be that they have all become a bit more neutral but hopefully somebody else here on AA who has extensive experience with the tts can chime in.

Cyril, indeed a good point but one other aspect to consider is the balance of cartridge price and selection that would fall into the proper range of table to cartridge ratio. I am not looking to spend $5k on a very refined sounding cartridge with this $2k table. I think all too often the outcome of sound with the lower budget tables have to do with the lower price cartridges that dominate the sonic signature with their "flavor". I am ok with this table being a bit more neutral if that is where it is in it's 1.1 version reincarnation, I'll just have to think about a cartridge that offers more weight and warmth even at the expense of detail and resolution if need be. This will be a "leisure" vinyl rig for some "passive" listening rather than critical listening.

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Cyril.......I like the way you described the qualities that are important to you. That is a unique way to express the place and importance of the different parts of vinyl playback. Well said.

Thx Dan... I am an analog novice compared to you and Serge and most others on AA. I was just trying to describe how I understood what each portion of the playback chain ought to deliver.