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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
dirkbusche
24 posts
 

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.

analog_tiffer
67 posts
 

Referring to Herron VTPH-2A as a “flavor of the month” is about as dumb a thing that I’ve read here in 20-+ years.    

jetson OP
155 posts
 

Hi guys,

I've been off doing some research and planning.  Here is the path that I think I'm going to take based on your input, and additional research.  Thanks for all of your help so far. 

Keeping:  VPI Prime Scout Plinth and 12" Heavy platter
Replacing: VPI Classic Signature Feet with VPI HW-40 feet, JMW-9 gimbal tonearm with JMW-10 3D Fatboy tonearm; VPI Standard Junction Box with VPI Reference Junction Box; VPI Motor with Sota Total Eclipse Package, SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC Star with Hana Umami Red.
Relocating the system to bring the Turntable, EX-8, Herron and Innuos between the speakers.
Adding: VPI Periphery Ring, HR-X Center weight

Reasoning a.) Between the tonearm and the Total Eclipse package, I feel that I've pretty much equaled and likely improved upon the tonearm and speed control upgrade benefits of the Clearaudio with Tracer tonearm. 

b.) Upgrading the VPI and keeping the Herron keeps the tube warmth and cartridge loading options and saves the money for the Umami Red, which I've read is a good match to the Herron.

c.) about $3,000 savings

Moving the components to the new spot removes the degradation of the 20' long XLR cables, drops the ISO-MAX RCA to XLR bridge and avoids the expense of upgrading that cable run.  It also gives me the opportunity to get some shorter, improved speaker cables to upgrade my Rocket 44s.

Overall, it seems that the VPI-FBoy-Hana Red/Herron/EX-8/Quatro CT will be detailed, realistic and musical and that the Clearaudio-Tracer-Hana Blue/PX-8/EX-8/Quatro CT train could tend towards too detailed and fast to the extent that it might a bit dry and become fatiguing.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,830 posts
 

Good plan. Keep us posted. I am still breaking in my new Umami Blue on Prime X and it’s sounding very good. Red should be even better. I think matching Red or even Blue with tubes is the right move. 

jaybe
863 posts
 

Same turntable.

I spoke to someone that upgraded to the fatboy. He thought it was good but not worth the money.

I installed the HW-40 feet, I'll say the same about those.

I have the Blue. Worth it if you like the slightly warmer sound with great detail.

However, I'm not putting more money into my Scout. Chrome wheels on a family car. Instead I'm looking at the Forever table. 

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