[NIGHTFALL1970]

Was the VPI Traveler discontinued?
It's not on their site anymore.

[brooklyn]

It looks like it might have been.. For $300.00 more, I would rather
go with the Scout Jr. anyway.. It looks like a more solid turntable.

[mix4fix]

Somebody mentioned to me that the second generation traveler wasn't as solid as the first.

Thoughts?

[Letitroll98]

I was told the same thing by a Traveler owner.  I assume they couldn't meet the price point and maintain the quality that they wanted.  And yes, I'd spend the extra for a Scout Jr vs a Traveler, I think everybody including VPI comes to that conclusion.  Now, would you then spend the $500 extra for the Scout over the Jr?  I'm thinking yes, but what does everyone else think?

[neobop]

When this thread first appeared, 7/27, I looked on Audiogon and there were 3 new Travelers listed at a discount.  It's not on VPIs site anymore. 
VPI sold a lot of this model overseas, but with Nomad now as entry level and production problems with the arm, it no longer made sense (cents?)?

They have 6 production models without Traveler and 3 custom tables.  The new Avenger is now one of them. 

Now, would you then spend the $500 extra for the Scout over the Jr?  I'm thinking yes, but what does everyone else think?

Seems a far cry from entry level but $500 seems worthwhile here.  Scout has an aluminum platter and JMW arm.  It also has a steel plate under the MDF plinth.  What it doesn't have is the 300 RPM motor.  I suspect that is no longer made in the Scout pod - check with your dealer. 
http://vpiindustries.com/scout.html

I now see used Classics regularly on Agon, Audio Mart, in the $2400 range.  As long as you're spending money.....
neo

[NIGHTFALL1970]

It looks like it might have been.. For $300.00 more, I would rather
go with the Scout Jr. anyway.. It looks like a more solid turntable.

I saw a Youtube video of the owners son doing a demo, and he said that the Traveler "blows away" the Scout Jr.  I will try to post a link when I can.

[Letitroll98]

https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VZDwrBk6VCo

 

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Thanks Letitroll98 for the link.

[mix4fix]

Link no work.

[NIGHTFALL1970]

The link works for me on my iPhone.

[Letitroll98]

Yeah, I try to test all the links I post so I won't be embarrassed at my digital dyslexia.

I've met Matt on a couple of occasions and he's a very unassuming person, not given to hyperbole.  So I could believe him when he says the Traveler beats the Scout Jr, with the caveat that the video is appears to be a couple of years old, perhaps before the un-anounced changes to the Traveler?  And what may be an early version of the Scout Jr, I believe he said it was a Nomad base on the one in the video.  Regardless, for some reason the Jr appears to have somewhat replaced the Traveler.

[neobop]

Yea, pretty stupid thing to say - selling against your own product.  The Jr is an upgrade vehicle for those with high end aspirations.  The others are what they are.

If you want to stay around $1500, the Marantz TT-15 might be the one?
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7273-marantz-tt-15-acrylic-turntable.aspx?source=igodigital&

neo

[bacobits1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZDwrBk6VCo

This is the link that works here.

[mix4fix]

Yea, pretty stupid thing to say - selling against your own product.  The Jr is an upgrade vehicle for those with high end aspirations.  The others are what they are.

If you want to stay around $1500, the Marantz TT-15 might be the one?
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7273-marantz-tt-15-acrylic-turntable.aspx?source=igodigital&

neo

I always wanted that turntable since I love Marantz Reference gear.

If the Traveler is not as quality as it was, then the Scout would be a better investment (of course, you can also go with another brand of turntable)