Turntable Shopping - Need some opinion.

ok Paul all kidding aside why dont you get yourself a nice ,couple steps above entry level table .with a deal this would be under $2k. and a nice grado reference mm cart for like $1k and see if you like it first. if you dont , this table is an easy sale to get rid of. hell i might buy it from you as a second table.lol. if you do like it and want to stick with vinyl, then down the road you trade it for something you really want.
there is no better place to start than a basic vpi and a great value grado cartridge.
scout2newpic.jpg


Steve , Which one is better the Scout or Classic I ?
 
Hi Paul,

If the Classic is on your radar, maybe look at the Classic 2 as well? The adjust on the fly VTA allows some additional tailoring of sound and is a nice feature.
 
:reading:




Mike I think I listen to you and Steve's Advice. Thinking to spend less than $ 5K and see how I'm going to like the vinyl first :)

That would be smart. I would say Classic 3 in piano black finish with Ortofon Cadenza Black (I'm trying the Ortofon cadenza bronze soon which has a hint of warmth. But since your gear is already one notch to the side of warmth, I would go with the Ortofon Cadenza black which is straight up neutral.). That combo will run you a smidge more than $5k - but you would be content for a very long time. The Classic 3 is no joke. It sounds great and I can barely lift it!
 
Paul - is your turntable going to be in a room that is on a concrete floor or a sub floor? I'm asking because of foot falls. If subfloor, you will want a table with mass over a spring bass table (like the AVID).

Have you talked to Jeff at AV Solutions? The guy knows tables, arms and carts.

Mike
 
Steve , Which one is better the Scout or Classic I ?
paul i agree with the quote below. the classic 2 with the vta adjustment for just $600 more retail is a better thing to have than the classic1. im glad you asked me that question Paul cause you may not know but i owned a scout1 and had upgraded it with the mini tnt feet and the classic platter. making what they now call the scout 2. oh btw if the scout 2 doesnt have the big feet its well worth the extra $359 to get them. i dont like the pointy feet at all. very shaky i had them on my aries as well and got rid of them.
back to my point. i traded the scout with a clearaudio maestro cartridge for a classic1 with a ortofon cadenza blue cartridge. and although the classic is way cooler looking. the blue cartridge i thought killed the clearaudio cartridge, but the tables were a sideways move. i didnt think the classic1 was any better or worse than the upgraded scout. which btw i also upgraded the arm from a 9t to a 9s which has better wiring. im not sure which the scout 2 comes with. but if you add that all up, i spent $1800 on the table, $800 platter,$359 feet,$150 wiring and junction box. a scout 2 all set up is way cheaper and so was the classic1 lol . and when i traded it i sold my friend the platter, and had to eat the rest.
so i would say the scout2 is just as good as the classic1 for less money just not as cool looking. and the 10" arm on the classic is a mite bit better. but so close i would buy the scout2 as your first table. then if you like it trade up to the classic3 or even go off the vpi reservation at that point and get something awesome.lol.
i would say the cartridge choice mike gave you is great too. the cadenza bronze lists at $2100 and the cadenza black lists at $2600. i went all over for a long while and listened to every cartridge that i can afford and a bunch i couldnt. shelter,lyra,ortofon,clearaudio,dyna and a bunch of others. the best 2 in the 2000-3500 range to my ears were the cadenza black and the bronze. but for $1500 the grado reference mm cartridge is a sleeper in the bunch an performs with cartridges twice its price.
if i was getting a first table and i wanted the best value i would buy a vpi scout2 with a grado reference cartridge. upgraded feet on the scout and 300 rpm motor . whole thing would be about $4300 retail. and you could get it for way less than that. classic1 witha cadenza bronze is about $5900
then when you love it and want more sell me the cartridge and put the table on agon .it would be sold in a couple days. lmao!!!! good luck paul!!!
best part about vpi is they sell fast and hold their value pretty well. lol.

Hi Paul,

If the Classic is on your radar, maybe look at the Classic 2 as well? The adjust on the fly VTA allows some additional tailoring of sound and is a nice feature.
 
Paul - is your turntable going to be in a room that is on a concrete floor or a sub floor? I'm asking because of foot falls. If subfloor, you will want a table with mass over a spring bass table (like the AVID).

Have you talked to Jeff at AV Solutions? The guy knows tables, arms and carts.

Mike

I have a concrete floor and ceiling as well. So no problem there.

hmmm....I don't want to bother Jeff so much and I already did few times lol
 
paul i agree with the quote below. the classic 2 with the vta adjustment for just $600 more retail is a better thing to have than the classic1. im glad you asked me that question Paul cause you may not know but i owned a scout1 and had upgraded it with the mini tnt feet and the classic platter. making what they now call the scout 2. oh btw if the scout 2 doesnt have the big feet its well worth the extra $359 to get them. i dont like the pointy feet at all. very shaky i had them on my aries as well and got rid of them.
back to my point. i traded the scout with a clearaudio maestro cartridge for a classic1 with a ortofon cadenza blue cartridge. and although the classic is way cooler looking. the blue cartridge i thought killed the clearaudio cartridge, but the tables were a sideways move. i didnt think the classic1 was any better or worse than the upgraded scout. which btw i also upgraded the arm from a 9t to a 9s which has better wiring. im not sure which the scout 2 comes with. but if you add that all up, i spent $1800 on the table, $800 platter,$359 feet,$150 wiring and junction box. a scout 2 all set up is way cheaper and so was the classic1 lol . and when i traded it i sold my friend the platter, and had to eat the rest.
so i would say the scout2 is just as good as the classic1 for less money just not as cool looking. and the 10" arm on the classic is a mite bit better. but so close i would buy the scout2 as your first table. then if you like it trade up to the classic3 or even go off the vpi reservation at that point and get something awesome.lol.
i would say the cartridge choice mike gave you is great too. the cadenza bronze lists at $2100 and the cadenza black lists at $2600. i went all over for a long while and listened to every cartridge that i can afford and a bunch i couldnt. shelter,lyra,ortofon,clearaudio,dyna and a bunch of others. the best 2 in the 2000-3500 range to my ears were the cadenza black and the bronze. but for $1500 the grado reference mm cartridge is a sleeper in the bunch an performs with cartridges twice its price.
if i was getting a first table and i wanted the best value i would buy a vpi scout2 with a grado reference cartridge. upgraded feet on the scout and 300 rpm motor . whole thing would be about $4300 retail. and you could get it for way less than that. classic1 witha cadenza bronze is about $5900
then when you love it and want more sell me the cartridge and put the table on agon .it would be sold in a couple days. lmao!!!! good luck paul!!!
best part about vpi is they sell fast and hold their value pretty well. lol.

Great post Steve. I appreciated .....
 
Paul you should also give Oracle tables a look, very musical every time I have heard - eye candy too boot. Their latest VI has an option to come with a SME arm - very nice indeed. I dropped by yesterday to say hi to Angie at her Corner location and they were setting up the arm. It was in a set-up with Focal Stella speakers "also very nice" and Bel Canto's Black Series system
 
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