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

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to it.  BTW, Mat is a fan of Lyra too.

While I was there, I had the opportunity to walk the shop and talk for almost and hour with both Mat and Harry Weisfeld; really nice folks whose passion for music and friendly personalities really shone.  

They were a real pleasure and, although it was a relatively small ask to get a spindle without threads, Harry immediately put aside the special project he was working on, grabbed one and offered to put it on the lathe for me.

A truly fun day at the turntable factory.

 

@jetson congratulations on your new table!

Mat offered me to come by so that he can set up my cartridge but I did it myself. I may still take him up on that offer this summer to just have everything checked 

"get a spindle without threads,"

@jetson 

Ditching the VPI dishing method for just weight? If so, how do you flatten less than perfect LP's?

Mine stripped out years ago, so use a collet style weight with the rubber washer.

@jetson congratulations on your new table!

@audphile1 Thanks

Mat offered me to come by so that he can set up my cartridge but I did it myself. I may still take him up on that offer this summer to just have everything checked 

He did it all by eyeball - which kind of surprised me.  I may look into the Analog Magik, but need to do more research.

@tablejockey 

Ditching the VPI dishing method for just weight? If so, how do you flatten less than perfect LP's?"
I recently bought a used Periphery ring and the HRX center weight, but haven't used them yet. I figured they would accomplish that.  If not, I'll have to go back to square 1.