Quote:
Originally posted by carlo
drewski,
I'm one of the people who thinks the Scout is the shiznit, I just don't think there's another table near the cost that can touch it. And the JMW 9 is one hell of a tonearm. If it isn't so far above budget that it hurts I think the Scout is the smartest choice: unlike VPI's other tables there's no need for an upgrade path. Its the type of turntable/tonearm combination that doesn't have me wondering about what else is out there - it just lets music go and is more than worthy of being a reference source. That said I now find myself looking past the EAR 834P for my phono needs, the Scout is also the type of component that makes me want to upgrade whats around it... damn this audiophelia.
Haven't heard the Well Tempered however. If you get a chance to hear it your impressions would be much appreciated |
The Scout is actually the least expensive of the three! It's actually so difficult to evaluate turntables because there are so many different factors- phono stage, phono cable, cartridge, etc. I never feel like I'm comparing on equal terms. Having said that, I did decide on the VPI Scout today with a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood Cartridge and I should have it next week. I like the HW19 MK IV, but the table itself without tonearm is more expensive than the Scout with the tonearm. Also, with the state of the ecomony lately, I don't want to buy a Well Tempered table right now because I'd be afraid that they won't be around for that long (but since Wilson uses them at the CES for their demos, maybe they will be around!). Even the bigger name brands are struggling these days. Once a company folds, the resale seems drops to about 30 or 35% of retail! I know that many places still can't keep the Scout in stock, so VPI seems like it's here to stay for a while.
As far as the Well Tempered tables go, they're great tables. Even the lowest priced one, called "The Record Player" ($2000 with arm), was very well balanced in all aspects and produced a 3 dimensional soundstage second to only their better tables (Reference Table and the Classic). I had a chance to audition extensively using a Grado Reference cartridge, driven by a BAT phono stage and it was very good. Nice bass, incredible natural sounding highs that only analog can produce, and imaging that captures you from the moment you start listening. Of course, then I listened to their "Reference"using a Cardas Heart cartridge and a Thor phono stage and experienced audio nirvana!
So I'm very excited that my new Scout is on the way. I think you're right- I could definitely spend another 20K to bring my system up to the level of the Scout, but that's not going to happen as long as I'm married!