VPI Scoutmaster
Beschrijving / Description
VPI Scoutmaster with Grado MM element.
The Scoutmaster is something of a hybrid of the best of a number of the New Jersey company's proven turntable technologies. Think of a Scoutmaster as that turntable on steroids. As noted above, rather than the single plinth, you get two 1-1/8th thick pieces of dense MDF with a 12 gauge steel plate to reduce external resonances. The VPI is the opposite of a suspended table and if you have a hankering for that sound you won't find it here. It uses the huge acrylic platter from the Aries model and is a beautifully machined bit of gear. The independent-standing motor is plucked from the Black Knight; 300 RPMs of purring power that is very quiet and accurate as well, given the measurements I made of its speed stability. The arm is the JMW-9 Signature, a unipivot design with Nordost Valhalla wire from the cartridge leads through the junction box. In spite of its heft, this is an easy unit to set up, allowing for precise settings of VTA, VTF and azimuth. Though new users of a unipivot arm may be a little intimidated when you set it on to its single pivot. Go for it.
Specificaties / Specifications
The Scoutmaster combines key features from several of VPI's most successful tables. It uses the Aries 2/HRX platter and inverted bearing, the Black Knight solid aluminum motor assembly with new fused IEC socket with new 300-rpm motor, and a dual Scout chassis with a steel center. The Scoutmaster also comes with the JMW-9 tonearm installed. The table stands 19" by 14" by 5 3/4" and weighs 48 pounds! That's 15 pounds more than the Scout!
For improved stability and damping, the Scoutmaster's chassis is made from two 1 1/8" thick MDF sandwiched between a 12 gauge steel plate giving a more rigid, non-resonant plinth. The HRX platter is 1 7/8" thick of finely machined Acrylic and has a larger diameter than all previous VPI platters. This improves speed stability and allows for the use of the New HRX Stainless Steel Outer Periphery Ring Record Clamp.
The Black Knight solid aluminum motor assembly with a new fused IEC socket with new 300-rpm motor is contained in a separate steel housing and drives the platter via an Aries belt, speeds are 33 and 45 standard, 78 is optional. This combination gives quiet, yet stable running with accurate speed.
The JMW-9 tonearm is the perfect complement to the new ScoutMaster., offering all of the advantages of a unipivot tonearm at a bargain price. The arm has a low friction bearing mounted on a solid stainless steel rod with markings to set VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle). As with the more expensive JMW-10 and JMW-12 arms, the tonearm assembly of the JMW-9 can be removed and replaced in seconds, allowing instant cartridge changes with multiple arm wands. An RCA junction box allows any RCA-terminated interconnects to be used.
"VPI's Scoutmaster turntable is in every way, shape and form, simply a stunning accomplishment. Don't be fooled by the 'table's diminutive 19 x 14-inch footprint. Don't be fooled by its lack of bells and whistles. Don't be fooled by its price. This muscular and compact 48 lb. package is a heavyweight contender in every sense of the word. The Scoutmaster could be the ultimate - and even last turntable—for many analog music lovers."