VPI Scoutmaster vs. Thorens 160 (is there a difference in sound quality?)

[aviserated]

I know the Scoutmaster appears to be a very solid turntable (less prone to vibrations), but will it sound better than say a less rigid Thorens 160? Could you here the difference in a blindfold test? Why?

[OldCoder]

I believe you can hear the difference without any trouble.

I own a Thorens 126, and I have spent some time listening to a VPI Aries at my dealer, and it is definitely a better sounding table. I am also familiar with the Thorens 160 from years ago, and I don't believe it is quite up to the VPI or my 126 (assuming all are in top condition).

However, all of these tables sound good to very good.

I think the big question is, is the difference in sound worth the dollars it costs to do so, to you? For me, I cannot justify the $3k-5k for a VPI turntable while my 126 is working. It is better, but I can make other improvements in my system for that kind of money that I would value more.

[nelamvr6]

$3k-$5k?

Scoutmasters can be had for around $2500!

[OldCoder]

The Aries 3 I looked at is $2900, the Scoutmaster is $2500, the Super Scoutmaster is $6K. Then there are the accessories like Synchronous Drive System for $1k.

Add a cartridge as good as the table, you are starting to get into real money...

[LeeS]

I have a Scoutmaster and $500 Grado Sonata that I am enjoying now. So you can do well at $3,000 all-in (excluding phono stage).

[edb15]

Very different sound, a matter of taste and all.

But if you put both turntables in a room with music playing, put the pickup on the platter, and viewed how much vibration it was picking up, I think the Thorens would win easily, because it has a suspension which isolates it from vibration above 4-5 hz.

[LeeS]

Very different sound, a matter of taste and all.

But if you put both turntables in a room with music playing, put the pickup on the platter, and viewed how much vibration it was picking up, I think the Thorens would win easily, because it has a suspension which isolates it from vibration above 4-5 hz.

I read that the Thorens is $4,700 so at the price gap over the Scoutmaster you buy a really nice isolation device like a Gingko cloud or Townsend sink or even the VPI turntable stand.

[Mike from NYC]

Very different sound, a matter of taste and all.

But if you put both turntables in a room with music playing, put the pickup on the platter, and viewed how much vibration it was picking up, I think the Thorens would win easily, because it has a suspension which isolates it from vibration above 4-5 hz.

Isn't well isolated from footfall however and as a consequence I dumped mine. I really didn't think the Thorens was so spectacular over my old Micro Seiki. I felt the arm on my MS was far better than the one on the Thorens.

A friend who moved gave me his Thorens 160.

But then again that's only my opinion.

[edb15]

I thought we were talking about the classic Thorens 3 point sprung suspension design, which followed the TD125 and TD150, and is similar to the AR, the Linn, and so forth. A Thorens 160 usually goes for $2-$600 depending on the exact model and the arm.

[makarushka]

I know the Scoutmaster appears to be a very solid turntable (less prone to vibrations), but will it sound better than say a less rigid Thorens 160?

For what it's worth, I once sold a VPI Scout in favor of a heavily modified Thorens TD145, even though suspended tables are generally not my cup of tea; the Thorens made music better to my ears and was as good as any LP12 I've heard. That said, a Scout is not a Scoutmaster...