VPI Scout Follow-Up and Mini Review

[crooner]

I've had my VPI Scout for over a month now. Man, how time flies!



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[crooner]

Setting her up was a breeze even for me that I am all thumbs
Installing the Benz Glider cartridge with it's non removable stylus is always scary. However, following VPI's excellent instructions I was able to do everything in less than one hour.

This my first experience with unipivot tonearms, so at first I found the arm quite strange to handle. It only has a very sharp bearing support, so it shakes a lot when you pick it up. Once it's on the record, however, the precision is uncanny.

The VPI approach makes complete sense since having a single pivot point eliminates friction caused by conventional bearings. This does make a difference in tracking ability specially at the inner grooves. The result is much natural sounding strings and the ever important vocals.

The separate motor was also a first for me. I was wondering if moving the motor closer or further from the plinth would shift turntable speeds. Perhaps I was lucky, but my initial placement was spot-on. Perfect speed and pitch. Very impressive indeed.

I am using a granite slab below the table. Works great with no induced feedback from the speakers. Even when playing my acid test, Telarc's Carmen conducted by Leonard Slatkin.

To level the table, I used a couple of bubble levels, placed on the platter. I adjusted the table's feet and the rack spikes, as appropriate.

Compared to my earlier Sansui SR-838 (no slouch!) I noticed a much lower noise level with blacker backgrounds and better isolation of individual instruments, including the human voice. The sound is more laid back with no detectable distortion as the arm approaches the center of the record.

I have been playing some of my favorite records on it, and discovering new details and stuff I've never heard before.

Tonight I played Joni Mitchell's Blue (a thrift store copy in VG+ condition), and I was mesmerized at the clarity and directness of Joni's voice. The guitar work was also convincingly reproduced. I stood there, transfixed, as Joni caressed me with such songs as "River" and "A Case Of You". I'm a happy camper.

The VPI Scout comes with no dust cover. VPI sells a cheap $50 job that looks kinda crummy. The nicer Gingko dustcover is $269. Rather expensive for a dustcover.

I searched Audiogon and found a guy that custom makes acrylic covers. He charged me $130 for the cover and it looks very close to the expensive Gingko.

Unfortunately, the cutout for the arm (at the rear) was a bit off. I had to cut the acrylic to make it fit. I'm no expert in this, so it looks a bit funky. Fortunately, it's in the rear and not terribly noticeable.

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