VPI Scout vs. Thorens 165

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.

Re: Jaybo's observation about "weight" and balance parallels mine when I took the Scout out of the box and set it up on the top shelf of a Billy Baggs rack, which is 3/4" mdf with formica veneer. However, when the Scout is set up on a thick maple platform, it's sound is transformed for the better. The missing weight and balance is there in abundance when sited on a good support.

the scout is certainly a good table, but i swear, just the upgrading frenzy on these tables seems to be a full time hobby. check the various threads

Thanks everyone for your posts.

The scout table does sound great right out of the box, in my experience, and the upgrade path is definately there, which is a positive in my mind, not a negative, you can take it as far as you want (and your wallet allows).