Which turntable??

[xi-razorback]

Clearaudio Concept Wood w MaestroV2 or the VPI Prime Scout with Sumiko BP Evolll?

 

I'm leaning towards the VPI but really because it looks cooler. TT is going to feed a McIntosh phono pre and a McIntosh MA5200 integrated to a pair of Cornwall lll's.

[fuzzydog]

I've always liked the looks of the Marantz TT-15S1, but i dont know squat about turntables.  I think its made by clearaudio.  

[wstrickland1]

Both mfgs are well respected. I personally like VPI but not because I think it's "better", I just have experience with it. I have a Scoutmaster and it is a sweet machine.

[xi-razorback]

38 minutes ago, wstrickland1 said:

Both mfgs are well respected. I personally like VPI but not because I think it's "better", I just have experience with it. I have a Scoutmaster and it is a sweet machine.

What cartridge is on it?

[gfxmla]

I currently have the Marantz TT-15S1 (Mfg by ClearAudio). It's a damn fine table, IMO. However, I want to move up to a VPI. Not for any glaring limitations with the table, but just because I'm in this hobby and upgradeitis is always prevalent.

If anything my main complaint with the Marantz/ClearAudio is all the variability in the tonearm and the wacky antiskate they have. The tonearm slot is not keyed, so there is a chance that the arm can be off during setup. They also have a magnetic antiskate, which is somewhat confounding. I still can't tell if it does anything.

I am really sucked in by the VTA on the fly options on certain VPI tables. Since I am constantly changing between older and newer, heavier LPs it seems like that would really come in handy. One of these days....

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[wstrickland1]

10 hours ago, xi-razorback said:

What cartridge is on it?

I'm running a Benz Ruby III

[cadeallaw]

I own a Clearaudio Concept Wood and love it.

I Almost went with a VPI Classic 1 from the internetz (and was also looking at a Clearaudio Performance DC), but I got to demo the Wood for a few weeks and decided to pull the trigger. I got the Satisfy carbon fiber tonearm. I also upgraded the cartridge to the Audio Technica AT Art-9.
The tonearm on the Concept Wood was a better tonearm than the one on the Performance DC (that I was considering)... also, I believe the Satisfy tonearm retails for more than what the stock VPI Classic tonearm goes for (at least in the States)... can't speak to performance though.
Finally, the Satisfy tonearm alleviates the problems that some people had with the regular Concept: footfalls

 

On the other hand, people who have VPIs really seem to dig them.

Edited July 31, 2017 by cadeallaw

[LarryC]

On 7/28/2017 at 10:39 AM, wstrickland1 said:

Both mfgs are well respected. I personally like VPI but not because I think it's "better", I just have experience with it. I have a Scoutmaster and it is a sweet machine.

I like Basis because of my experience with it -- it has an outstanding sound quality.

 

With Basis, one does not need to go higher than the 2001, which AJ Conti used for himself.  The admirable Basis record clamp is a must, however.  The Vector arm seems to have been a great leap forward.  Sadly, AJ's untimely death may have stalled the company, as I haven't heard much about it recently.