i have to admit that i only recently bought the scout. my first turntable in twenty years!! i still need to get a descent pair of interconnects!!! hence my query about the vpi ones... they seem like the natural choice.

as far as record cleaning machines go, i agree that that is an essential one! i don't have enough records yet to justify a nice one, so i just have a knosti anti stat for the moment. (the collection is however growing at an alarming rate.)

the scoutmaster upgrade interested me as vpi seem to do a deal where you can upgrade a scout to scoutmaster for just the difference in cost between the two models, and then it has included the new 300rpm motor and a heavier platter and improved bearing, all in the same upgrade as well as giving you the improved plinth.

basically i was wondering if different elements gave dispproportionate improvements and hence were better value for money???

as for VAC, i love there stuff. the only changes i would consider there, would be to move up the range. i have a hankering for a phi 30/30! however young family is preventing big upgrades for a while at least.

the minimax is great, again i am only really tempted by either a VAC pre or (and this would at least me much cheaper!!!) the mkII of the minimax, with beefed up power supply and reduced gain. the only criticism i have about the minimax is the gain. it has quite a lot and as a result i can only use half of the volume range, even with the turntable. if i want to use it as background music and have a conversation, i'm limited to nine o'clock on the volume. the new model apparently fixes this.

again good luck with the back. i have a good friend who has suffered chronic back problems, and i know how debilitating this can be.

blakeaudio June 30, 2005 10:05

Blakeaudio,
Thanks for the kind words. After extensive research I found a fantastic neurosurgeon and I am confident that he will take good care of me.

If you're looking to upgrade your Scout, a discussion post here would probably bring a lot of experienced Scout owners out of the woodwork. Without any experience though, I'd guess motor first, as stable platter speed is critical to good playback. Then perhaps a VPI SDS, I'm planning on one of those down the road. I'm not sure if they are compatible, but you might consider the Mark V platter and bearing. That way you could use one of VPI's periphery ring clamps. One upgrade I am definitely going to do soon is the Black Diamond Racing isolation kit for the Scout – pucks for the footers and a shelf for the motor. Oh, here’s one we should both do, a good record cleaner. I’m favoring the Nitty Grittys. The Scoutmaster is certainly a worthy option, but upgrading kit in bits can be a lot of fun.

I just took a look at your system, really nice choices. I love the way Kevin voices equipment at VAC. How do you like your Minimax pre? I've seen some killer deals on them with NOS tubes included here at the 'gon and have to admit that I've been quite tempted to try one when budget permits. Lovely aesthetics as well.

creeper June 30, 2005 05:53

sorry to hear about your back. good luck with the surgery.

i have the standard platter and was wondering where to start with inevitable upgrades... platter, motor, or upgrade to the scoutmaster...?

blakeaudio June 29, 2005 11:23

Hbarrel,
Thanks for the compliment. Carl's designs are truly genius. You should post your HT setup.

Blakeaudio,
I purchased the Scout with the upgraded platter and bearing factory installed. As far as the VPI interconnect is concerned, I honestly haven't listended to it yet. As a matter of fact, I haven't even set up the Scout yet. I have a serious back injury right now that prevents me from sitting. Because of it, I haven't been listening to the system at all lately. I go in for surgery July 1st, hopefully it will restore my ability to sit comfortably in two to four weeks. I really, really miss listening to my system. Headphones just aren't cutting it anymore. I will post some listening impressions when I have mended and listened.

creeper June 29, 2005 06:03

did you get the vpi with the tnt platter, orwas that your upgrade? asking as i am curious how different the sound is between the two? also what do you make of the vpi interconnect?

blakeaudio June 28, 2005 15:52

Nice system.
There's a reason as to why Alon's are seldom seen for sale on Audiogon.
My HT system is all Alon.

hbarrel June 28, 2005 12:15

System edited: Thanks to the free "Wanted to Buy" ads here at the 'gon, I got a great deal on a VPI Tonearm cable to mate with my Scout. Thanks AudiogoN!

creeper April 30, 2005 16:21

System edited: Just received the VPI Scout. Looking forward to getting her set up.

creeper March 25, 2005 20:14

System edited: I'm really enjoying the addition of the Meridian 506.20 to the system.

creeper January 14, 2005 15:51

Thanks Creeper. I will be checking out the Northcreek external crossovers.

gfloyd53 March 12, 2004 17:34

Gfloyd53,
I read one of your threads and I bet you're enjoying the BAT gear. Just a little FYI, I have heard a pair of 801 Matrix S3 with North Creek external crossovers, driven with the PA160 mkII. My friend brought his amps over to try them on another friend's 801's (normally driven with a big Krell). They were tubed with 6L6. VERY nice sonics. Here is a link to North Creek, if you're interested:

http://www.northcreekmusic.com/801web.html

My friend with the 801's is a big fan of organ music, and noted positive improvements to the bottom end with the North Creek crossovers installed.

creeper March 12, 2004 16:42

The Mk IIA sounds more interesting to me. I can't get used to the long wall idea. When I walk into a long wall set up room, I feel like I need to leave. Fengshui? Or something like that. Also, when I had my large Krell system in my long narrow room, I felt like I wanted to leave all the time. Even when the music sounded good. And it didn't matter which way the equipment was set up.

gfloyd53 March 12, 2004 15:01

Gfloyd53,
My mistake, I meant update the mkII's to mkIIA status. I have stockpiled some lovely Sylvania 6SN7 GTB's and really enjoy their sonic signature. I'm not sure I'd like 12AU7's in the input/driver stages like the mkIII. The Alons are great, but I'd really like a pair of Alon Lotus SE mkII or mkIII. My friend has a pair of mkII with both sets of woofers - 8 and 14 ohm, so they can mate with high or low wattage amps. Additionally, it was after hearing his PA160 mkII that I had to have a pair. They are soooo flexible and can be practically anything you are looking for with their numerous valve/feedback options. My old room was 9x12 and could only afford setup on the short wall. The new room is 13x15 and allows me to setup on the long wall.

creeper March 10, 2004 15:03

Hi Creeper,
'Upgrading' to Mk III? Then I wouldn't be interested in them. The MK IIs are my dream amps. But maybe it is only a dream because for now I'm unemployed, though I do have some funds. Oh, I bet your Alons are keepers too! What size is your new room and what is the improvement over the smaller room? How much smaller was the small room?

gfloyd53 March 09, 2004 20:49

Rnm4,
Honestly, I didn't consider your comments critical. I agree with you about spending on sources. I've just been gathering gear as I find it (and can afford it), in no particular order, not really having a system "plan" if you will. Hodge-podge, baby!

creeper March 09, 2004 18:10

Creeper,

I wasn't criticizing. I was just registering surprise. Synergy is indeed crucial, but its not suffient. The gap itself is no big deal. But my own predeliction would be to spend disproportionally on the front end. Anyway, I'm sure it sounds great!

rnm4 March 09, 2004 15:51

Gfloyd53,
They are indeed the mkII's. I have been considering sending them back to Kevin at VAC to have the mkIII update. I love them dearly and don't plan on replacing them. However, I acquired them by asking another AudiogoN member, just like you have done.

Nrchy,
You are correct, the room is too narrow. I have recently moved and have a much better room now. I will repost the rig in the new room soon.

Rnm4,
Yes, huge price gap. It's all about synergy though, right? Price/value doesn't really mean anything. Besides, I am on a very slow upgrade path, the system is not solidified by any means.

creeper March 09, 2004 03:55

That looks nice, but is your room wide enough for those speakers?

nrchy March 05, 2004 18:46

Holy cow that's the biggest gap between money spent on source and money spent downstream as i've ever seen (cartridge excepted)!

rnm4 March 05, 2004 18:45

I see from the pictures that these VAC amps are the PA160 MK IIs. Are you still using these? Are you thinking of selling them to upgrade? Please let me know when you list them on Audiogon if you do.

gfloyd53 March 05, 2004 15:51

Are you still running the VAC PA 160s in your system? Also, are these the original 160s or the MK IIs?

gfloyd53 March 05, 2004 15:46

System edited: I've been playing around with budget (garage sale) analog rigs. I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the T-20, still getting the PF-30 set up. These are only bandaids, but fun to play with until I acquire funds for a decent turntable.

creeper July 05, 2003 21:06

System edited: I finally acquired a pair of Black Orpheus biwires for the Alon I mkII. I am enjoying the results - much improved, sonic tone is very neutral now.

creeper May 03, 2003 18:09