Ready for my first "serious" non-vintage turntable!?

[albertoderoma]

After being "burned"/disappointed by "budget" modern turntables with the Project Debut III and the Rega P3, I spent the last 2+ years restoring and enjoying several vintage tables (Empires 398, 698 and Thorens 124mkI, 124mkII, and 125mkII). I am now in a position to complement my primary vintage tables (Empire 698 & Thorens TD125mkII + SME 3009II (non-improved)) with a modern table/tonearm combo. My tentative (stretch) budget is $2K (including cart) and I want to buy new (unless there's a local opportunity (SF Bay Area) - I am not into shipping and hoping for the best with Audiogon or eBay).

I am leaning toward a VPI Scout + Dynavector XV1-S which comes pretty close to that $2K.

Why am I thinking about this addition? Well, as much as I enjoy the look and sound of the Thorens/Empire, I am curious and ready to experience first a higher-end modern table/tonearm combo. I know that $2K is not chump change (at least for me) and I don't have any specific complaints about my current set-up, but for me part of the fun of this hobby is to try and experience not only new music, but new hardware.

What do you guys think? Is a Scout going to be a significant and worthy step up over the Thorens+SME or Empire 698? Am I going to be as disappointed with the Scout as I was with the ProJect and the P3?

Any suggestions (esp. first hand experience in going from vintage to modern TTs) would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Alberto DeRoma

[albertoderoma]

I am leaning toward a VPI Scout + Dynavector XV1-S which comes pretty close to that $2K.

Ooops, that should have said Dynavector *10x5* ... some $4K less than the XV1-S.

Alberto

[Vinyl-Addict]

Am I going to be as disappointed with the Scout as I was with the ProJect and the P3?


yes.

[Jay F]

yes.why?

[nelamvr6]

yes.

:confused:

[Metralla]

Is a Scout going to be a significant and worthy step up over the Thorens+SME or Empire 698?
Significant step up - I don't think so at all. As for your intention to spend $2k on a new turntable of the modest calibre of the Scout - I think you are on the wrong track.

[Joe Nino-Hernes]

I would have a look at Sota turntables. Great sounding, reliable and easy to set up tables.

[Vinyl-Addict]

why?

:confused:

A better question would be for the O.P. to say why he was disappointed with the Project and Rega tables. How can anyone tell him if he will like the Scout. :confused:

[Jay F]

A better question would be for the O.P. to say why he was disappointed with the Project and Rega tables. How can anyone tell him if he will like the Scout. :confused:I like my P3. But I want to buy it a new cartridge, or else try the P5.

[LesPaul666]

Disappointed in a P3? It's somewhat of an inexpensive table, yes...But bad? No.
I love mine.:love:

[Vinyl-Addict]

Disappointed in a P3? It's somewhat of an inexpensive table, yes...But bad? No.
I love mine.:love:

I agree, it is a good little table. :agree:

[LesPaul666]

Maybe he should look into the Continuum line of turntables, with the Cobra tonearm:D

[nelamvr6]

Maybe he should look into the Continuum line of turntables, with the Cobra tonearm:D

:D


Did you see that thing on Mikey Fremmer's DVD? It was awesome!

But even if I won the Powerball, I'm not sure I'd go that route...

[Frumaster]

My first serious, new turntable was the Clearaudio emotion...very simple setup and works great. You could maybe go for the Champion, or save some of that 2k and go with the emotion like I did. It fits my needs fine.

[LesPaul666]

Yup...that thing was scary looking on the DVD. I think even Mister Mikie himself may have been overtaken by it. I would think you would have to reinforce the floor in your house so it doesn't fall through! Must weigh a ton.

I'm curious though, Is the Clearaudio *that much* of a big difference from the Scout? Maybe I'm out of line asking questions like this, but aren't they pretty close in price?

[nelamvr6]

Yup...that thing was scary looking on the DVD. I think even Mister Mikie himself may have been overtaken by it. I would think you would have to reinforce the floor in your house so it doesn't fall through! Must weigh a ton.

I'm curious though, Is the Clearaudio *that much* of a big difference from the Scout? Maybe I'm out of line asking questions like this, but aren't they pretty close in price?

All I know is I've read a LOT more reviews of the Scout than of any Clearaudio TT, Metralla is the first one I've encountered to make any disparaging comments about the Scout.

For what it's worth, the Scout is $1,650.00 in the latest AcousticSounds.com catalog, while the Clearaudio Bluemotion is $1,400.00.

[vinyl anachronist]

All I know is I've read a LOT more reviews of the Scout than of any Clearaudio TT, Metralla is the first one I've encountered to make any disparaging comments about the Scout.

For what it's worth, the Scout is $1,650.00 in the latest AcousticSounds.com catalog, while the Clearaudio Bluemotion is $1,400.00.

There was a thread a few months where many disparaging comments were made, FWIW.

Don't follow the crowd. Get a Michell Tecnodec.

[nelamvr6]

There was a thread a few months where many disparaging comments were made, FWIW.

Don't follow the crowd. Get a Michell Tecnodec.

You wouldn't happen to have a link to that thread, would you?

If the OP decides to go with a Michell Tecnodec he can get one here (http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AMICTECNODEC), for just about the same as a Scout.

[BillyBuck]

I too was disappointed with a Rega P3. Not a bad table by any means, but after earning my wings on sub-$100 Thorenses poached offa the eBay, I was expecting the newer technology and the significantly higher price point of a shiny new P3 to rock my world. But naah, not really. Compared to a well-tweaked TD160, the Rega was a little lifeless. Quieter, yes. Less fiddly, yes. But my world remained unrocked and I later sold the Rega at a loss. I just never heard the magic the way I did the first time I got a Thorens really dialed in and cued up a scratchy, mono Benny Goodman Capitol.

[motorcitydave]

Technics SL1210M5G, baby!