VPI Scoutmaster questions.........

I can't really comment on the differences, but I recently set-up a Scoutmaster with SDS and peripheral ring clamp with a Dynavector XX-2 cartridge for member velocoracing. I am a Linn/Rega guy so will not go into sound quality, but having owned VPIs of the past, I was really impressed with the marvelous quality of the fit and finish and the ease of setup. This is as user friendly as a unipivot gets. If you like the VPI house sound you will love the Scoutmaster. It is a bargain at the price.

I have had the Scout and now have the Scoutmaster in my system. I auditioned both the SDS and the Walker Motor Controller. While the SDS made a vast improvement in pace and rhythm, the Walker is in another league altogether. While it is almost twice as much as the SDS, the difference between the two is priceless. Backgrounds are blacker, and the focus and timbre of instruments are very well delineated. That said: I would also add that there have been numerous posts here on AudiogoN about the mass and control of the JMW unipivot arm and it's ability to handle very low compliance carts such as the Denon 103 series and the Shelters. I have three carts that I use with my Scoutmaster/Walker combo: Dynavector 17D MKII, Denon 103, Shelter 501 MKII. All three have their strengths and weaknesses, but all three work very well on the JMW arm, as long as you are willing to invest some time with careful setup and VTA. I currently have the Shelter installed and am enjoying what it does in my system.
If you decide to go the Scout or Scoutmaster route, and can swing the extra money, give serious consideration to an investment in the Walker Motor Controller. You won't regret it.

wow, and not one person telling you to get a teres, amazing. i have a scoutmaster, with the upgrades you were talking about, (sds, ring clamp, heavyweight), and it is an incredible maching, of course, you're getting pretty close to super scoutmaster or teres dollars with the addition of the extras, but the sound is amazing, i wish i would have bought it first, before my digital equipment, because i don't hardly listen to cd's anymore. but i think, whatever you decide, you're not going to be dissapointed with a VPI table.

You might want to try the Black Diamond Racing record clamp. It's $300 but makes the other clamps look bad. You can get it from Music Direct. If you don't like it or don't think it's worth the scratch you have 30 days to send it back. My one piece I had for years threaded out on me so I got the stainless one. Then I noticed the BDR in MD catalog. The guy talked me into it and I figured what the hell, got 30 days. This clamp kicks ass even over the stainless besides being drop-dead gourgous. The only thing I don't care for with VPI is how are you going to get accurate antiskating twisting the tonearm wires? Don't care for their tonearms.