As the format itself is the
most limiting factor in the chain, the difference between merely
good and
excellent analog front ends I'd put at maybe 10%. We, as audiophools, pay a lot for that additional 10% in performance......Joe Q. Public wouldn't was nuances over 'articulate bass' or 'extended, airy treble response', ya' know
It's debatable whether the Scoutmaster/Shelter $3K) would be
substantially better than the AT anyhow. Without tightly regulated speed regulation, the VPI is at the mercy of the oft-wavering AC line frequency to keep it on time. You are largely dependent on inertia of it's 10lb.+ platter to keep it on time any better than a vintage 80's cassette deck (frankly, tho it's so-so as a music source, CD/Redbook has quietly all taught us the lessons of speed sensitivity and accuracy over the past 2 decades).
You would need to invest another $1000 in VPI's (outboard) SDS unit to get the VPI to the AT's level of sophistication in speed regulation. It's not to say OTHER aspects of the VPI performance could/would be superior, but
speed regulation would be, by it's very basic belt drive/AC synchonous motor'ed design,
worse than the AT's until you invested another $1000.00.
I recommended the
AT-PL120 as it's very inexpensive, absolutely new and requires
zero set-up (what little there is is already done by LPGear). You simply set it down on a solid surface, plug the interconnect leads into a phono stage, turn up your volume and play your records. When you go to sell it (and you likely will in some period of time as you're an vinyl-phool now
), perhaps the worst you will lose in the transaction will be $140 (50% of new).
I would recommend stands/isolation (the IKEA birch cutting blocks or other hardwood.....this investment is likely better than similar money spent on the next level of cartridge performance) and a $150 (KAB) to $250 (Nitty Gritty) record cleaner with cleaning supplies. This is an indispensible aid and will follow you on your vinyl journey thru many deck swaps in the future.
Enjoy your decision - either way...John
