[MichaelHiFi]

First off, my last rig was a Technics SL1800. That was a long, long while ago. Never sold my vinyl though, nor did my Dad, nor did my brother, and I have it all.

On a stupid impulse buy at a rude dealer in SF, I brought home a used VPI Scoutmaster. It had/has a Dynavector XXV Mk II mounted on a JMW of some sort tonearm. How would you know? Well it looked cool... 

He told me the cartridge was nearly new. It played like crap then the needle fell off. So off it went to Soundsmith for a rebuild. Sounds way better!

Steep learning curve here. I purchased a used Blue Heaven cable for $400 from the same dealer. List is $379. He got me good  I also came home with a PS Audio phono stage.

So that my assortment of goods. And it sounds pretty good now. But I know it could sound better.

Wanting to move the player away from my system (off to the side) I want a longer phono cable. I'm very good at DIY and thought I'd built a high purity silver cable with some good ends. Thought?

The tonearm has the "normal" wire in it. Is the Valhalla wire that much better? Should I bother?

It did come with the Periphery ring and a plastic screw on clamp.

No anti-skating device but Soundsmith say's they are about to release their model.

The digital side of my system is really sounding amazing. Would like to get the vinyl side dialed in better. I'm thinking of a better phono stage someday - possibly a Audio Note, or a used Aesthetix RHEA. But I may be getting ahead of myself which got me into trouble in the first place.

Which direction should I go in?

[jimdgoulding]

First up you need a record cleaner if you don't have one.  SpinClean works like a champ and is inexpensive.  A magnifying glass is a good thing, too, so you can view the stylus rake angle.  No anti-skatng control on your arm?

[Ericus Rex]

Sounds like you have good stuff already.  Are you sure the cartridge is set up properly?  Improper setup is the most likely candidate for upgrade.

[bside123]

Seems like you must have a "set-up" problem. I've owned that table, and when it's set-up properly, it can sound very good. As a matter of fact, the VPI Scout series can sound amazingly good... when done right. BTW, unless you have the anti-skate module, VPI tonearms do not come with anti-skate. This is a long debated subject, guaranteed to open a can-o-worms, and "no" Harry does not believe in anti-skate.

[MichaelHiFi]

I have the VPI 16.5 record cleaner. My cart is setup as well as to the limits of my knowledge. Cantilever is in alignment with the platter both in height and azimuth. I'm using a tracking force of 1.997 grams according to my gauge.

The table sounds good, don't get me wrong. But reintroducing myself to the vinyl world without the assistance from others, I'm sure I missing many things I hadn't thought of.

Anti skate - Who's Harry and why a non-believer? 

[vortrex]

I would get a MINT Tractor to set up your cart.

[Minn Mark]

Michael Fremer sets up a VPI Scoutmaster in his DVD:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/fremer/vinyl.html


Also, I have a VPI Classic I with the VPI 10.5 arm and use NO anti-skate (as VPI recommends).

Good luck. Its a great TT.

Mark

[TONEPUB]

Did you get the VPI protractor for cartridge alignment?  If not, you can probably get one from VPI pretty reasonably.

I have had the Scoutmaster and currently have a Classic.  I've found this table to be more critical/jumpy than others getting the Azimuth correct because of the unipivot. 

As far as "could sound better" that's pretty wide ranging.  If you can experiment with tracking force in very small increments as well as the VTA. If you have it a bit too much one way the cartridge will sound thin, lacking in bass, and the other way, muddy, slow and lacking in treble.  Again, baby steps.

If you can spend a solid day with it, I'll bet you can get better results.  And as I've mentioned in a recent article, grab a used $5 mofi copy of one of their early records.  Made of Japanese super vinyl and you can play the heck out of it while going through the adjustments.

Best of luck...

[Sonny]

Michael, if you are close by, I work in SF and will offer my help.  I have had a few VPI tables in my day and currently have a JMW 10.5i arm on it.  I'd be happy to help if you'd like
You can PM me or email me at gotoma8@yahoo.com

Tuan

I have the VPI 16.5 record cleaner. My cart is setup as well as to the limits of my knowledge. Cantilever is in alignment with the platter both in height and azimuth. I'm using a tracking force of 1.997 grams according to my gauge.

The table sounds good, don't get me wrong. But reintroducing myself to the vinyl world without the assistance from others, I'm sure I missing many things I hadn't thought of.

Anti skate - Who's Harry and why a non-believer? 

[MichaelHiFi]

MY TT was sitting on a Adona black granite base which was sitting on a box. I had a rack on order for the better part of 2 months (thanks Magnolia HiFi - what's the hurry?).

So now I have a rack which my TT can sit on out of the reach of my little one. He probably did me a favor removing the diamond from the cantilever  Soundsmith rebuilt the cart and it sounds much better. In fact, after setting the Scoutmaster up again, very carefully, using the Soundsmith recommended settings, it's sounds much better than my digital setup. Ya a know - no big deal there - it should sound better!

So, wanting to understand exactly what I have, such as what arm I have, I'd need help. I'm thinking of building a cable, a longer one to the phono preamp.

Thanks for the tips folks. I'll check out that DVD as well