VPI Scout vs. Thorens 165

As a previous Thorens lover I vote for Linn LP12 or the VPI as they are more reliable and parts/ service are easily available. I have had Many Thorens TT die. All The lp 12s I have owned have never failed !

Pride doesn't mean squat - sound does, so I guess Jaybo is saying The Scout would be his choice. It's mine too - It's hard to beat the scout at it's very low price considering the performance. Why? If I knew that I'd start my own TT company.

I have mine stock and have not upgraded. There is no reason too. If I wanted to spend more, I would look at my options. For the money, the Scoutis hard to beat!

i would agree that the linn lp12 would be a great table. also the well-tempered classic. the oracle alexandria and delphi are nice too. i haven't had any problems with my thorens(knock on rosewood)

As colonel Potter would say to Jaybo "Horsehockey!!!" The Scout is a fantastic table right out of the box. Don't take my word for it, read the reviews and informal posts and look at the sheer number of sales. [That is why there are more Scouts than Thorens on the used market--there are simply more out there] The ability to upgrade in a variety of ways and price points only furthers the attraction. I'm sure there are literally thousands of Scout owners (like myself) who will own their Scouts for years and use them with pride. Ultimately, "satisfaction" and "pride of ownership" are determined by VALUE and, to varying degrees STATUS. The VPI delivers an amazing value and I doubt seriously that there are many owners apologizing for having them spin their vinyl. Now if we are talking about NOSTALGIA as a factor determining "satisfaction" and "pride of ownership" that I can see. I have a 1973 BMW 2002tii that I restored that I am very "satisfied" with and brings me lots of "pride of ownership". It will get outrun by almost any modern sportscar of even the middling sort but I don't care because the performance matters less than the nostalgia factor. I think people cling to their old tables (and other things) because they like to reflect on and connect with their past, not because the thing is necessarily "better" than what is now available.

i bought a scout when they first became available, and although it may have been a bit more detailed(maybe forward) in the midrange than my thorens 147 jubilee and my oracle paris, it just didn't have the 'weight'and overall balance on classical and rock that the others had. i had the same experience years ago with an hw19mklv........yes i tried various cartridges (primarily sure and grado), but i was never satisfied. there was just something missing. i hate constant upgrading, so i sold it. i have used the phono section in both a p300 accuphase and a c22 II mcintosh with all the above. i have also owned mapleknoll, sota,dual,ar,denon..... and spent a week with a rega 25 which was a disaster in my system.