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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
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,833 posts
 

@jetson got it. Thanks for clarifying 

@jaybe I’ve got probably around 50-55 hrs on my Blue. Ran it thru 2 phono stages - Whest Two.2 and Lab12 Melto2 (tubed). I will be honest I struggle to qualify Umami Blue as warm even with tubes. May be it needs more time, closer to 100hrs to fully blossom? It’s very resolving and doesn’t hide or mask anything but also doesn’t make any recordings unlistenable. The ML before it was warmer and more polite. I’m still not 100% set on phono stage though. Sold the Melto2 and will most likely be going up the Whest line. I really dig the Whest sound. 
Any thoughts on how many hours it took your Blue to fully settle?

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,677 posts
 

For clarity 3x Nimbus on lightweight components… 3 points define your plane… be sure to get one under the torrid…

 

the 1” Nimbus works for Herron, but to be sure measure your feet. Even your mighty Ayre will likely benefit from- so measure that and pick a size that work for both so you can evaluate at no expense.

jetson OP
155 posts
 

@tomic601 
Thanks - that's great advice on the same size for comparative purposes.
I need to do some experimenting all around.

As far as the shelf goes, I appreciate the comment and info   There is a lot I should discuss there.  That subject deserve another thread in the right forum.

jetson OP
155 posts
 

Thanks for all the advice, here and in other threads.

This is where I ended up.

I traded in my existing TT for a VPI Signature 21 without the motor. VPI is mounting a Lyra Kleos as I write.

It will pair with the SOTA total eclipse motor/controller/tachometer package and linear power supply.  The LPS at SOTA is backordered and I have been waiting on that, but since I finalized the rest, I will ask for the motor system to ship.

Thank again for all of your help folks.

Jim

 

tablejockey
4,403 posts
 

@jetson 

Should be a nice upgrade-especially going with the Kleos.

Enjoy it👍

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