Just curious why you've limited your choices to those two. Unless you're being offered a discount price you're talking about $2500 which will buy the VPI Scoutmaster. I'd pick the Scoutmaster over either of those you listed on the basis of it's established reputation for excellence at that price range and the readily available upgrades should you decide you want to make additional investment/improvement later.

Whilst I agree with Cheapskate - products offering an upgrade path deserve our support, and they offer a good, long term value for your initial outlay - if you can only go with one or the other of your choices...go with the Avid and use the extra 500 dollars for a better cartridge or phono pre.

If those two tables are your only options, I'd hesitate to recomment a cartridge or phono pre until you have a chance to list what's available.

Cheers!

Hi, I have to take a bit of a cop out on the cartridge.

I've heard many cartridges from all the lines you mention and they can be fabulous. Almost a "no lose" situation!

At this point, matching to your tonearm becomes paramount, so I will have to learn more about the Avid Diva's arm.

For phono-pre, I've only heard three of them.

Again, system matching is important.

I loved the Bel Canto and the Graham (this one's a joy to listen to), but didn't like the Lehman; although I feel guilty about saying I didn't like it if it makes you not audition it - it's all relative.

First, let's see what we can learn about the arm, to help select a cartridge; then that will help with selecting the preamp.

Do have any info about the arm?

I'll go look around now.

OK, it looks like a Rega derived arm.
Either a stock or modded RB300.

I haven't had much experience with this arm, but I have heard it with some cartridges that can be "hard to handle" on some arms.

Controversy: I think the Rega arm mass is able to handle more "energetic" cartridges than some other arms. Either via how it handles its own mass or its damping qualities, I have no idea.

So, the Sumiko line has sounded smooth, even though they tend toward "a little energetic" in other arms.

I've heard Denon cartridges and Grados sound GREAT on this arm in other tables.

I have insufficient time spent with any of the others.

Hoping that helps a little.

That's a pretty good price on the Diva. They go for $2500 here without an arm.