VPI Launches New Prime Scout Turntable

VPI recently launched a new Prime Scout turntable that refines the original Scout 'table, which has been in production for many years.

In addition to incorporating the Prime's curvaceousness, the new Prime Scout features an upgraded 300 RPM motor (500 RPM overseas), in a machined aluminum housing. The arm now incorporates an additional metal base and the feet have been upgraded to the rubber-isolated ones similar to those originally found on the VPI Classic turntable.

The new Prime Scout now ships with VPI's American-made cueing device. The platter remains the same machined aluminum one found on the original Scout. An upgrade is available to the more massive one with included Delrin clamp now used on the Prime that was originally found on the VPI Classic. VPI also announced for Prime Scout and original Scout owners, a new, optional JMW 3D-9 tonearm.

The new Prime Scout retails for $2200.

COMMENTS
alucas's picture

now thats more like it. right in my price range! i would have to get used to that pivot arm, does everybody like that, moving and balancing in every direction?

isaacrivera's picture

Unipivots in general suffer form minimal friction and VPI's unipivots are excellent. They have been making them for a couple of decades and have been able to polish the design. They are adjustable in all axes and, though not the easiest to setup, it's very doable with some patience--a compromise that allows you to own a class A tonearm at this price range. I have owned half a dozen of them in 10.5in and 12in, 3D versions and they sound amazing. If you plan on fine-tuning it or swapping carts, get a Soundsmith's Counter Intuitive, it will save you a ton of work.

alucas's picture

looking forward to this purchase! currently have two 70's tables, no their not one of the big boys but i do like the at95e sound, well balanced. if i up grade from my marantz 2230 it would be a mcintosh tube system. did i just date myself?

PAR's picture

" The platter remains the same machined aluminum one found on the original Scout."

Sorry if I am wandering into the realm of pedantry but wasn't the original Scout platter acrylic? I seem to recall VPI changing it to aluminium a few years into production. I regularly listen to the original Scout's sibling, the Scoutmaster, which had the same platter. It's acrylic.

isaacrivera's picture

The previous production model that this new model replaces had an aluminum platter. VPI had moved away from Acrylic a few years ago in favor or aluminum and aluminum / SS sandwiches. Both production and sonics were better than acrylic in their testing.

PAR's picture

Thanks. Yes I appreciate that the previous Scout had an aluminium platter and I refered to the change of materials. However Michael refers to the "original" Scout's platter. It being acrylic was the point of my post.

I am sure that your comment referring to the audible superiority of the aluminium one is correct. Nevertheless the acrylic one also sounds pretty good in its own right IMO.

Michael Fremer's picture
I took that from VPI's press release, which of course was mistaken. I had for years advocated that VPI move away from acrylic platters!
Mat Weisfeld's picture

Glad to hear the positive response on this. We have been very excited about the Prime Scout. The original Scout was acrylic but as long as I've been on board it has been the aluminum (Scout 1.1) so I was mistaken and have identified that as the "original". Never was a fan of acrylic platters.

RCZero's picture

I am amazed at how everything makes a difference, but especially acrylic vs. metal. I love my Scout 1.1! I'll be curious to see pricing and some pics of the new 9" 3D arm.

mikemoon's picture

I have a Scout from around 2010 with the acrylic platter. It has been a great table. At this point, I'm not going to upgrade to an aluminum platter for small differences. I do like some of the other tables with the aluminum platter. If I upgraded, I'd go with the Prime or the Classic SE. My roommate has a Classic but it does seem the aluminum platter generates more static than the acrylic. Do most play lps on the bare aluminum platter?

Spsesq89's picture

I research stuff to death before I buy so when it came time to upgrade my entry level Project Debut Carbon Esprit everything came back to Michael Fremer's many reviews of VPI products.

So when I discovered VPI was merely minutes from my home in New Jersey I decided to call and ask to see their facility so I could show my wife, (the real Boss in NJ) what I wanted and why.

Mat invited us to VPI and introduced us to the crew, his wife and showed us all around. What a great guy and what a great company. I went home and ordered the Scout Prime. Mat told us that he was never a fan of the acrylic platter and all the ones he has are aluminum. The uni-pivot arms are really well made as are all the components we saw. The testing and engineering we saw was fascinating. I never realized what goes into the design of a turntable...from the plinth to the motor to the platter and arm. each meticulously designed, proto-typed and assembled.

Overall the facility was awesome, the people there were great and its an American company that keeps Americans working producing high quality machines. I have become a lifelong fan and supporter...now to get my wife to let me eventually upgrade parts later....Thanks michael for the reviews and videos exposing me to VPI and thanks Mat for the tour (The Boss ok'd the purchase!!).

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