VPI "Aries" Scout
Note: The VPI Scout is still in production in the current production format.
"Rather, this is a flat-out, unconditional, "Holy Mother of Crap, I can't believe how good this thing is" recommendation. It's hard to imagine another way of spending $****.** that will add this much to your system." - Art Dudley - Sterophile
The SCOUT has become the worlds best-reviewed turntable! The SCOUT is the lowest priced turntable in STEREOPHILE'S Class "B" and has attained high performance records worldwide.
For improved stability and damping, the Scout's chassis is made from 1 1/8" thick MDF bonded to a 12 gauge steel plate. The massive platter is composed of 1 3/8" acrylic and is mounted to an inverted bearing of Teflon and brass on a 60 Rockwell case hardened shaft. The 600 RPM AC synchronous motor is contained in a separate steel housing and drives the platter with smooth, quiet operation.
The JMW-9 tonearm is the perfect complement to the Scout, offering all the advantages of a unipivot tonearm at a bargain price. The arm has a low friction bearing mounted onto a solid stainless steel rod with a knurled ring to set VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle). As with the more expensive JMW-10.5i” and JMW-12.7” arms, the tonearm wand assembly of the JMW-9 can be removed and replaced in seconds. This allows instant cartridge changes with multiple armwands. An RCA junction box allows any RCA-terminated interconnects to be used.
The JMW-9 uses the same geometry and mounting as the Rega RB300 tonearm and can be dropped right into the Rega armhole with no modifications.
VPI Scout Features:
• 1 3/8" thick acrylic platter
• 1 1/8" thick MDF/Steel chassis
• AC Synchronous 600 RPM motor in isolated steel housing in black satin finish
Scout 2
Original Description:
The result of mating a great platter to a simple good looking design!
The VPI Scout has become the industry standard as the best-reviewed turntable on the planet! For 2009, we saw fit to bring some big improvements to its best-selling turntable. You may recognize the outboard motor and the plinth, but you will do a double take at the exquisite platter and tonearm.
Every VPI Scout II comes standard with the JMW 9T! This incredible tonearm features a redesigned armtube that is tapered and filled with a proprietary damping material. This revolutionary design greatly reduces internal resonance, yielding a full and rich sound, with a vast soundstage and increased resolution and detail. The added mass also produces deeper bass response and fantastic compatibility with moving coil cartridges.
For maximum stability and speed accuracy the platter is made from 1 7/8" thick machined 6061 aluminum and is attached to a nonmagnetic 303 stainless steel damping plate. The entire piece weighs in at an impressive 18 pounds! Because the aluminum is grounded to the steel, there is virtually no static buildup or sonic degradation. What's in the grooves is what comes out of your speakers.
The VPI Scout II's plinth is made from 1 1/8" thick MDF bonded to a 12 gauge steel plate giving a rigid, non-resonant plinth. The massive platter sits on chrome-hardened ball bearing held by a 60 Rockwell-hardened shaft, below which is a black delrin nut. The VPI Scout II generates absolutely no additional noise for a pristinely quiet spin.
The AC synchronous motor is contained in a separate steel housing and drives the platter via an Aries belt. This combination produces quiet yet stable running with extremely accurate speed. Speeds are 33 and 45 standard, while 78 is optional.
Features:
• JMW 9T tapered tonearm
• 2" thick aluminum platter
• 1 1/8" thick MDF/steel plinth
• 600 RPM AC synchronous drive motor in isolated steel housing
• Aluminum cone feet with stainless steel ball bearings
• Anti-skate
• Solid Delrin Deluxe One-Piece Record Clamp
• Beautiful black satin finish
Specifications:
Dimensions: 19" x 14" x 8"
Foot Print: 16 1/2" x 11 1/2"
Platter Height: 1 7/8"
Platter Weight: 20 pounds
Total Weight: 40lbs
Product Reviews:
"The thing that impressed me most about the Scout was its effervescent character. Perhaps its low mass and acrylic platter are responsible for the sense that it just wants to boogie. While the less expensive 'table doesn't convey a feeling of grandeur like the HR-X, which does a magnificent job of conveying hall space, I couldn't help feeling that the Scout might be nimbler than it big brother. The notes just popped out of it with no sense of delay." - Jacob Heillbrunn, The Absolute Sound, June/July 2007, Issue 172
"What the Scout does show, however, it that, yes, more costly innovations are indeed filtering down to budget 'tables. The result is that audiophiles have more options than ever before. And without a doubt, the Scout is a fabulous one." - Jacob Heillbrunn, The Absolute Sound, June/July 2007, Issue 172
Existing in Production Upgrades:
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HR-X Mini Feet
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2" Aluminum Platter (Prime Platter)
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Deluxe Delrin/Stainless Stain record clamp.
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300 RPM aluminum motor house (Prime Motor Housing)
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300 RPM stainless-steel motor house (Prime Signature Motor Housing)
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JMW 10 3D + VTA Base
