Vpi Scoutmaster vs. Aries 3 recommendations

[cleophus]

http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/pp1.html

Here's a Benz review.
Johnsonad was looking for preamp input,so I gave mine.
My input is purely subjective.

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleophus /img/forum/go_quote.gif http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/pp1.html Here's a Benz review. Johnsonad was looking for preamp input,so I gave mine. My input is purely subjective.

I don't doubt that it's a fine amp.

I haven't heard it, so that would make me hesitant to make proclamations concerning it's quality. Especially proclamations based on nothing more than the circuit topology chosen by it's designer(s).

 

[cleophus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelamvr6 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't doubt that it's a fine amp. I haven't heard it, so that would make me hesitant to make proclamations concerning it's quality. Especially proclamations based on nothing more than the circuit topology chosen by it's designer(s).

Thanks for the XR-2 link,I haven't heard it,even the reviewers were
wary of IC's.The free trial period is impressive.They obviously believe
in their product.

A Benz ACE/PP-1 combo is worth an audition.Very neutral,adding nothing.

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleophus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the XR-2 link,I haven't heard it,even the reviewers were wary of IC's.The free trial period is impressive.They obviously believe in their product. A Benz ACE/PP-1 combo is worth an audition.Very neutral,adding nothing.

And thank you for that advice.

I will in fact be looking to upgrade my phono stage soon, so I'll keep the Benz on my list of possible candidates.

 

[johnsonad]

Thanks guys! So far I've picked up a Shelter 901 and a few tools. I'm going to try and find a few stages local and attempt to audition them. In researching, these seem to be the most over priced piece of the puzzle..... I'm not supper picky but want a sound that makes me happy and justify's the TT rig. If anyone local wouldn't mind loaning me their stage for a few days, that would be fantastic

 

[jp11801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonad /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks guys! So far I've picked up a Shelter 901 and a few tools. I'm going to try and find a few stages local and attempt to audition them. In researching, these seem to be the most over priced piece of the puzzle..... I'm not supper picky but want a sound that makes me happy and justify's the TT rig. If anyone local wouldn't mind loaning me their stage for a few days, that would be fantastic

I would contact Jay at Audio Revelation he is local to you and you can hear a number of phono stages there. Audiorevelation.com

I have bought several things from him and he is an extremely knowledgable turntable guy

 

[johnsonad]

Thanks John, you have been a big help

 

[nelamvr6]

Well, I'm finally listening to my Scoutmaster.

It was definitely worth the wait!

It sounds superb!

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelamvr6 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I'm finally listening to my Scoutmaster. It was definitely worth the wait! It sounds superb!

Great to hear! Enjoy

 

[johnsonad]

Just got the Scout in today. The cart should be here in a couple more days. Stage is still out there but I have a couple lined up audition and a local shop that is going to help me set it up. Let the vinyl spinning begin!

 

[riffer]

I haven't read all the details in the thread, but if you got the Shelter 501, you might want to get the 3gm headshell weight and try it with and without the weight.

My combination with the Scout/JMW9 is the Ortofon Rondo Bronze cartridge with Trigon Vanguard II/Volcano II phono stage.

 

[johnsonad]

I picked up the 901, not the 501. A couple people say this is a good combo and others feel the Scout is a little slow and warm and combined with the 901; it does not balance well and I would be better suited with a Blackbird or a livelier cart. We will have to wait and see.... The Apache should be here very soon and once it arrives I'll start in on phono stages. Any experiences with VPI tables and Shelter carts?

 

[johnsonad]

Alright, finally got the cart set up and am spinning vinyl now! I've borrowed a BAT VK-P5 and it sounds pretty good. Will have to wait for the amp to get here before I select on though.

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonad /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright, finally got the cart set up and am spinning vinyl now! I've borrowed a BAT VK-P5 and it sounds pretty good. Will have to wait for the amp to get here before I select on though.

Excellent! Congrats!

 

[johnsonad]

Thanks! I'm really impressed at how good vinyl can sound. It's pretty amazing. It's also easy to tell a good from a bad recording. No wonder people put so much cash into these rigs