seangj Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I am thinking about purchasing a VPI Scout. I found a lightly used one for $1000 with the JMW-9 tonearm. The newer Scouts with the JMW-9T tonearms are $1800. Is the JMW-9T worth the extra $700, or should I go with the used one and use the savings for a better cartridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidamnesiac Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 $1800 - $1000 = $800 I have nothing to contribute to this thread besides this snarky math and my jealousy. The VPI Scout is part my reasonable* dream rig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearchuck Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I think that it really boils down to two simple questions: 1. How good is the rest of your gear? 2. How attuned are you to ever-so-subtle resonant changes in your turntable's tonearm? If your response to both is "not very" then I would say go ahead and buy the used Scout. If your answer is "very" then by all means, hold out for the upgraded JMW-9T. Bottom line is that VPI is a great company that makes great turntables. Did they improve upon the JMW-9 enough to warrant the extra $800? That's not really a fair question since we're also comparing a new turntable with a used one, but I have a feeling that unless you're "Super-Serious Audiophile Guy," you won't notice. Now as to whether or not a used Scout is worth $1000, it sounds about right. You should do your research on that though. Also, you might want to consider the Traveler, which is near that price range new and has been getting really good reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 I think that it really boils down to two simple questions: 1. How good is the rest of your gear? 2. How attuned are you to ever-so-subtle resonant changes in your turntable's tonearm? If your response to both is "not very" then I would say go ahead and buy the used Scout. If your answer is "very" then by all means, hold out for the upgraded JMW-9T. Bottom line is that VPI is a great company that makes great turntables. Did they improve upon the JMW-9 enough to warrant the extra $800? That's not really a fair question since we're also comparing a new turntable with a used one, but I have a feeling that unless you're "Super-Serious Audiophile Guy," you won't notice. Now as to whether or not a used Scout is worth $1000, it sounds about right. You should do your research on that though. Also, you might want to consider the Traveler, which is near that price range new and has been getting really good reviews. I am leaning towards the used Scout, but also have noticed the traveler. I'm not a "Super-Serious Audiophile Guy" and I don't have the greatest setup now, but I want a table that I can keep forever and have the ability to upgrade as I go. That is why I'm interested in the Scout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Get the used Scout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 OK so I have a VPI Scout TT going through Cambridge 640P through Klipsch Quintets and a sub What Carts would you recommend around the $500-700 range like the Grado Sonata or some Dynavector carts? I would like the DV-20X2M Special, but can't afford it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 But better gear before you upgrade the cart. Unless there isn't a cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Buy. And as kannibal said, but the scout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Damn iPhones. Buy. aviolentworld 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 No Cart with the Scout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearchuck Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Welcome to the money pit! Plan on spending the next couple of years buying / experimenting / swapping gear that matches the level of the Scout. It's the curse of the audiophile. It's also really fun, if you're into that sort of thing. If it were me, I'd consider a Dynavector 10x5, Audio Technica AT33EV, Grado Sonata or Denon DL-103R. Except for the Grado, they're all a couple hundred below the top of your price range, but very capable performers that should give you a good push in the right direction ... a steady platform, if you will, from which you can upgrade later on. The reason why I'd keep my cart choice around the $400 range is because I would also want to start saving my money for a better phono stage. The Cambridge 640 is a good budget / entry-level preamp, but you're definitely going to want to upgrade in the future as it will undoubtedly be one of the weaker links in your system. Look at us spending your money for you. How nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Thanks for the advise. I think I'm going to go with the Dynavector 10X5. Hopefully this summer I can upgrade the preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 The 10x5 is a good match for the scout. You can go higher, but the 10x5 is a great place to start, especially considering the rest of the chain . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Oh, and congrats, and welcome to the VPI owners club. It's, like, super exclusive and stuff. It will be a cool experience hearing the upgrade path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 So the guy who was going to sell me the Scout flaked out on me. After thinking about it, this might be better. I'm still going to get a Scout, but now it will be new. I can get a B stock for $1400, or a new with a Dynavector 20X2MM Special for $2400. So the questions are, anyone have any issue with B stock, or it the new with the awesome cart a better deal? A B stock with the 10X5 would run $1800. Is the 20X2MM worth the extra $600? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3arl Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Sounds like I might need to trek out to Loveland to hear this new system at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Sounds like I might need to trek out to Loveland to hear this new system at some point. Let me know whenever you come up here. We can grab a beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Hmmm. I say go for the b stock (what is wrong with B stock? Is it purely cosmetic flaws?) and the 10x5. Then upgrade other things around it, like the preamp, your inegrated/pre&power and speakers. Then look at an upgraded cart. Just my opinion. But if you want to go all out then do it. Just know that the turntable and cart will be SERIOUSLY outperforming the rest of the chain and you'll be using and wearing it without getting everything it's putting out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hmmm. I say go for the b stock (what is wrong with B stock? Is it purely cosmetic flaws?) and the 10x5. Then upgrade other things around it, like the preamp, your inegrated/pre&power and speakers. Then look at an upgraded cart. Just my opinion. But if you want to go all out then do it. Just know that the turntable and cart will be SERIOUSLY outperforming the rest of the chain and you'll be using and wearing it without getting everything it's putting out. That's what I'm thinking now. I can get the B Stock Scout, 10X5, and a Jolida JD-9 for the same as the Scout with the 20X2MM Special. What are your thoughts on the Jolida? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 It's one of the highest reviewed phono pres at $500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 I just ordered the VPI Scout, DV 10X5 and the Jolida JD-9 for $2214. Not a bad deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Wow. Thats a huge leap. Nice. Looking forward to the review. What are you using for an amp? I know you said you have a Klipsch Quintet for speakers. These are fine for home theater, but really aren't ideal for music. Not that you can't use them and enjoy them for the time being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Right now I am running then through my home theatre amp which is a Samsung HW-700 or 770. I am eventually going to have a dedicated system, but for now it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seangj Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 Received my scout today. Sounds great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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