Plans for my VPI Prime Scout


My existing TT is a slightly modified VPI Prime Scout: Scout base; Classic Signature feet; 12”, 20# Prime platter, JMW-9 Gimbal Tonearm, 300 RPM motor in Aluminum enclosure and two speed pulley; periphery ring; HR-X center weight. The cartridge is Soundsmith Zephyr Star MIMC. It’s quite old, and I’m not sure of the hours, but it has no obvious issue.

Here is my plan for an upgrade. I would appreciate hearing your opinion on what I’m thinking.

 

I contacted VPI they priced some upgrades, gave me a trade-in price and suggested the Signature 21 if I wanted to go with a new table. The Sig 21 is $6,700 after trade in.


The current plan is to modify as below:

 

Scout Base: Keep

Classic Signature Feet: Change to HW-40 ($0.00 - dealer “owe’s me one”)
Prime Platter: Keep

Tonearm: Change to 10” FatBoy Gimbal with Nordost wire (Possibly change wire to AQ Angel to match interconnect).
Motor: VPI said the single speed pulley and multiple belts is usually only run with a speed controller. So my plan is to keep the same and Keeping same and consider the SOTA Total Eclipse package.

Cartridge: Hana Umami Blue has been suggested.  I read great things and was wondering what else I might consider.  I listen to a pretty even mix of Blues, Female vocals, R&B, Classic Rock, and Jazz.  Side question: Is it better to sell the Zephyr before or after it's retipped?

If I go with the above without the Total Eclipse I pay 45% of the Sig 21 full cost. With the Total Eclipse it’s 62% of the full cost.

The other option is to sell what I have now with the new feet (presumably above the $2,000 trade-in), and buy ……what?

Thanks, I appreciate the help.
Jetson

jetson

Yes Keith did retire and oddly the flavor of the month phono stages used go for close to new prices….

For me the Herron benefits from shelf isolation, HRS Nimbus under the chassis, a mid grade AQ power cable, HRS damper plate,’Mazda triple mica nos in the critical gain position and for grins I built some laser trimmed Vishay loading plugs…. 

@jetson 

I retrofitted my VPI HW19 MKIV with the Sota Total Eclipse a few years ago. It works wonderfully. Strongly recommend it. 

@audphile1 

If you use the Total Eclipse package and get the Roadrunner along with the Condor you change the speed with the Condor and the Roadrunner ensures it is correct. 
The pulley size does not matter within reason.

 

First, I would ask myself: What am I missing with the Prime Scout, or what bothers me about it? If nothing comes to mind, invest in a better phono stage, a better cartridge, or a better turntable mat—the best one being the Harmonix TU 800 M (1,100 euros). I’ve borrowed and tested 15 mats, and this one completely outperformed them all.