VPI PRIME SCOUT TURNTABLE REVIEW. INCLUDES A FEW CARTRIDGES AND CLAMPS/STABILISERS IN THERE TOO

How about a review of the Rega Planar 6?

Thank you for your review. One day I hope to replace my Dual CS 5000 turntable with the Prime Scout 21 with a Ortofon Cadenza RED MC. Then to upgrade my Parasound Zphono ZRM phono pre to their JS3 Jr.

I got mono sound on this video.

Why is your voice coming out of the left channel only through my headphones, when the music plays the music is coming out In stereo? .

I have this turntable for 5 yesrs now. It is paired with a Goldring 1012 GX and a Schiit Mani. I know I'm doing a disservice with a cheap cartridge. Looking to upgrade soon with an MC cartridge like a Audio Technica ART 9 or a Bench Micro ACE, or Dynavector 20X2. Also upgrading to a better phono preamp in the 1000 USD range like the Lehmann Cube SE II or a MusicFidelity MX Vinyl or an IFi phono 3.
An advise for a good pairing is welcome.
MC Cartridge 1000 to 1300 usd.
Phono Stage 1000 to 1300 usd
TIA.

How does this compare to a Technics 1200 for $1800?

Once I got one in for repair. I've never seen such a bad turntable. Especially the arm is of very poor design. It need a cartridge with very low vertical compliance and standard horizontal compliance. Such a cartridge is as far as I know never build. This turntable is waste of money and material. The mounted Ortofon 2M Black is moved to a much better turntable with a Rega RB303 arm on whitch the Ortofon 2M fit perfectly with a correct arm-cartridge resonance frequency close to 10Hz.

Hello Paul, I only hear sound on one side of my headphones. Ah I see others have commented on this. Ok

Nice review. Agree on solid quality and easy of set-up.
I have the Super Prime scout with 10.5 inch arm, VTA on the fly, and the heavier 20 lb platter, paired with a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC* cartridge. I also mounted once an Ortofon 2M black, and the SS is certainly a bit of an upgrade. The much bigger difference is with phono preamp used. Switched from a Vincent PHO701 to an EAT eglo petite, and it is a clear improvement.
Re speed adjustment, VPI makes a separate controller, the ADS. Works great for that and also does 33/45 switch with a button. Only downside is that it takes at least 8 seconds for the motor to spin up from 33 to 45, even if set to just 45. (????) Not a technical defect, I checked with VPI.
I have not heard any difference in sound with clamp, so generally leave it off for convenience.

Nice review! I have been living with a VPI super Prime Scout for nearly two years now and really enjoy it. The version I have has a heavier plater, 20 lbs. instead of 12 lbs on the standard model. It also has a 10 inch arm compared to the 9 inch on the standard model. The record clamp is also different. All other pieces are the same.

I haven’t seen any comparisons of the two, but I would think that the basic character would be similar. I have used an Ortofon 2M black and a SoundSmith Zephyr mimic cartridges. Both perform well, but have different characters. But I was really surprised by how the SoundSmith cartridge offered up a wider, deeper more detailed sound stage yet smoother and with a lower noise floor than the Ortofon.

The VPI took place of my long time turntable, a Kyocera belt drive from the late 80’s. The performance of the VPI is significant jump over the Kyocera, just two different worlds.

forgot to mention the slight speed adjustments that can be accomplished by using the different indentations on the motor spindle.
The middle one is spot on 33 1/3.

Can't say I'm a fan of the mono, left channel only audio here.

What happened with the audio!? Only on the left :(

Thanks for another informative review Paul. How does the prime scout compare to the project extension 10 that you reviewed last year with the improved power supply? I am thinking of purchasing and these two were high on my list. Vinyl is of secondary importance. to cd and steaming . I run an Accuphase E 650 integrated class A amp with sonus Faber Olympica nova speakers and nordost .tyre cabling . An Accuphase dp750 Sacd player and a Naim Nd 555 streamer and power supply in a treated 5m x 5m room. Love your reviews 😀

I drive past the Soundsmith place in New York several times a week. I always wondered how good the cartridges sounded. Have you ever heard the "strain guage" cartridge they make?

Love your videos...however, imo to pay those kind of prices for a turntable is not something I would do even if I could afford it..at my age of 84 hearing a high end turntable would'nt mean anything to me ..I use a Fluance RT-85 with a Ortofon 2m blue cart and a Taya lp-100 with a Shure V15II cart...they are both very good sounding fed through my Kenwood KA-5500 amp..into B&W DM-6 speakers ..and I don't intend on buying another tt..period

Hi Paul,
Seems that the Left channel on this latest video is silent.
Bяad B.

Mono sound?

Hi Paul I noticed the fellow hifi reviewer doing the setup bless him , but fear not I still rely on your good self . I would still put my money and probably my heart dam it on a Rega P8 or 10 , yes I’m an old stick in the mud but ha that’s me to a tea . I just love these glimpses at the equipment that is available now , and to know my favourite medium is still at the forefront of hifi technology . Best wishes and kind regards as always. 😀👍👍👍

A very good American brand.
You get what you paid for.

Another great video, Paul. Well done. Very informative, comprehensive, and interesting, and about the right length. An added bonus for me was the mention of Jan Akkerman's 'Can't stand noise,' which I've loved since the early 80s. I still play side 2 a lot. 'Journey' is such a fine song, and a good test for hifi.

That’s my aspirational turntable right there. I sure wish it had a removable headshell tho

I used a prime scout for 2 years and loved every minute of it. I feel the same way about vpi quality and reliability.