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REVIEW: VPI Industries Scout Turntables

68.223.198.90


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Model: Scout
Category: Turntables
Suggested Retail Price: $1,500
Description: Aries Scout TT w/JMW 0 Tonearm
Manufacturer URL: VPI Industries
Model Picture: View

Review by Sailfish ( A ) on February 06, 2004 at 10:30:03
IP Address: 68.223.198.90
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for the Scout


A review for sure but some background first…

After assembling, what I had intended to be, a killer “Home Theater” system a funny thing happened. I found myself doing something I used to do quite a bit… just sit and listen to music. Not the five or seven channel Pro Logic II variety (or mutation) but just plain (?) stereo, with, of course, a little help from the sub. Back to my roots, if you will. Relaxing, reading and listening. A great change of pace from mindlessly switching from show to show.

It became apparent that this was enjoyment at its finest. Although it didn’t take long to realize my collection of discs was rather small and they got repetitious fast. I purchase a small variety of the new SACD/DVD-R discs after plunking down cable money for those six channels. To my chagrin, what I thought might be a revelation in sound was anything but. Titles in the new format still were in stereo or, when in multi-channel audio, lost their precious bottom end.

Considering the dilemma of expanding a library worth listening to, I remembered all those records from years ago. Flipping through those platters brought memories of days gone by back, a couple flashbacks as well but a startling realization I had what I needed all along – a wide variety of artists and sounds. And I remembered my youngest son, a Beatles fan, stashing a couple of turntables in a storage cabinet. After dragging them out and blowing off the dust it was apparent they just may need some work. Ah the internet!

I fanatically started my research into tables figuring e-bay or audiogon a great place to purchase something. (which they are) But jeez… there are some real choices there for tables plus some killer new ones too! It became apparent I just plunked down a decent amount of dough on sound amplification, speakers etc. so do I really want to limit a table to a couple hundred dollars? That old weak link theory…

Lucky enough I’m in Miami where just a short drive away is Larry at Hollywood Sound. Although the other retailers I normally go to are much closer, turntables are just pictures in a brochure to them. After speaking with Larry, my wife and I paid him a visit. He not only had a real live turntable, he has quite a few! A big concern of mine is bang-for-buck. Am I going to hear my monies worth from a turntable vs. compact disc, and then, do I really need to spend a lot for a table.

Larry was more then accommodating, taking my Nashville Skyline album, cleaning it first, placing it on a turntable. He then took the new SACD version of the same recording placing it in the most advanced cd player I’ve ever seen. Larry, by the way, has a spectacular selection of 2 channel audio gear in addition to tables. This one had a tube stage output costing thousands of dollars. I’ve nothing like that for my home playback so I assumed the vinyl playback might come close to this disc player but would confirm that I didn’t need to overspend on a table here. Shows you what I know! My old record put 30 something years of technological advances to absolute shame! Johnny Cash’s wonderful voice was awesome again… Where had it gone? In a rather short time my darling wife was more then sold on my dumb idea to drag out our records again. You can imagine the conversation we had on the way up to Hollywood Sound... "You want to spend WHAT just to play an old record??"

Now Larry began a short course in Turntable 101. We compared arms and arm design, tables, motors and such. In short order it was apparent the Aries Scout was technically superior in terms of built quality, design as well as eye appeal. Its tonearm, the uni-pivot design, makes so much sense with it’s simplicity. If it can’t track correctly, I wouldn’t know what could! The thing I liked the most really is the overall simple design. I don’t know beans about turntables but enough to know if you don’t physically attach a motor with anything more then a high-tech rubber band to something, then the motor’s vibrations and harmonics can’t possibly affect anything surrounding it. The base (plinth) is rock solid with a massive bearing housing for the platter. An incredible overbuilt piece of gear. In all honesty, the Scout was not the table I set out to buy but after actually being able to compare it in person with other brands it’s selection became so certain. Costly? Yes but hardly overpriced. Could be it’s a true bargain.

I’m more then please with my choice of the Scout. I was able to load the table into my car completely set-up and ready to go. At home, it is incredible. I honestly never new those recordings sounded so good. I am also more then pleased that Larry at Hollywood Sound spent my money wisely, giving me terrific value in return. I would pass along this to anyone looking to get into vinyl in South Florida... Why buy mail-order when you can actually see and hear the differences in equipment, deal with a knowledgeable, service oriented audio expert right in your own backyard? Oh, did I also mention his pricing was just right?


Product Weakness: none to think of
Product Strengths: Simplicity. Superior design. That Tonearm!


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: B&K 507
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Aries Scout
Speakers: B&W CDM 9NT
Cables/Interconnects: various
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock/Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 25 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: loud
Time Period/Length of Audition: every chance I get
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): none
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: VPI Industries Scout Turntables - Sailfish 10:30:03 02/6/04 ( 2)