What cartridge is on your VPI Scout?

I currently have an AT-OC9ML/II on mine. It sounds great and tracks well. My only issue is it’s a tad bright but I can deal with that and I get some tonearm resonation also not a big deal but I’m interested in learning about possible better matches.


My plan is to buy a second wand and switch between the two. My budget maybe $1200 should be a big improvement over the AT-OC9ML/II. Or the laws of diminishing returns may apply.

 

I had a 10x5 and oc9 mlii and preferred the oc9 in all respects. In fact I use the oc9 on my classic and still love it.

I would think it could be bettered with your budget but not by leaps and bounds.

The 20X2 is a natural choice.

 

20X2

 

20X2L

 

Ortofon Cadenza Bronze. Doesn't pair well as far as I'm concerned

 

The Ortofon Quintet Black (and even the lesser Quintet range) seem to be a great match for the VPI arm.

 

Quintet Black.....great cart for your table.

 

On my Scoutmaster I use the Dyna 20x sv....

 

2mBlack on one wand MP500 on the other

 

Dynavector 20x2h here. The backup wand has a Dynavector 10x5 retipped by Soundsmith, Level 2.

 

I'm using the Ortofon 2M Black coupled with the Graham Slee Era
Gold V phono preamp for a while now and love the combination.

 

AT-OC9ML/ll, love it.

 

Dynavector DV-20XH

 

Dynavectors and VPI seem to always go very well together. Zu Denon DL103 is another terrific match if you have enough gain for low output MC, or a step up transformer.

 

Dynavector 20x2H (With level 2 SoundSmith Ruby retip)

 

Just curious, what's the effective mass of the tonearm?

Also, it seems that the Mark II and Mark III carts are different animals:

I have a Pro-Ject 9cc Evo arm on my Perspex. The carbon fiber construction tends to (as Michael Fremer puts it) "ring like crazy". So it's not just the best compliance match for the arm that's important. If you have issues with tonearm ringing, look for carts that have some damping that will help mitigate it. Tonearm ringing can cause mistracking and possibly even record damage.

 

Well I don't have a scout, but of the same breed. Dynavector XX-2 which sounds amazing on a Classic. Replaced a Soundsmith Zephyr with it.

 

Dynavector 20X2L with Soundsmith level 2 retip, or Soundsmith Otello as backup.

John K.

 

A few mentioned the Ortofon 2M black......has anyone tried the 2M Bronze and is this a valid alternative for those who perhaps cannot shell out the coin for a Black??

 

I would think the Bronze would be fine, slightly less detail, but less noise and other clutter as well!

 

I have a Classic, and started out with an OC9/ii and thought it was amazing. It's a testament that the dealer who kind of begrudgingly installed it for me thought it was really good as well. I ended up "upgrading" to a Clearaudio Maestro and while it's a great cart I think I'm just an MC kid and miss a lot of the aspects of the OC9/ii. I'd sort of like to try the /iii someday.

 

Just a quick side question since I'm planning on buying a new tt later this year and the Scout or Traveler are among my possible choices. There's a guy who posts a lot of needledrops to Youtube with his Scout/10x5 combo and I noticed some recent ones reveal a lot of motor hum not unlike the problem I've had with my Pro-Ject tables. Are any of you Scout users getting motor hum or is that an isolated instance?

 

No hum with mine. Truthfully if it wasn't for the clamp I wouldn't even know if it was spinning or not without a record on it.

There are so many possible reasons why there may or not be some motor hum.

 

I never noticed motor hum with my Scout when I had it. One of the advantages of the Scout is that the motor is separated from the rest of the table. I would guess that if the table and motor were on an extremely resonant shelf/table/etc.. that some noise could be present but this is an separate issue which quite frankly could be solved with a little felt pad under the motor (or the like).

 

I was about to say, if I took the trouble to own a turntable with a decoupled motor, motor hum sure would be awfully annoying. I think some people have surmised hum problems with VPI are just related to unshielded cartridges and the metal platter itself, but it seems more likely it would be the motor IMO.