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... for somewhere under $1800 MSRP. I'd keep my Exact for now
(2) Wait for awhile (approximately 6-8 months) and get a VPI Classic. If I go with the Scout now, I could hold out on the Classic for a year or so...

Cool. I think the Classic is at least double the price of the Scout, so I wonder about the law of diminishing returns there. I'd go with the Scout, and go ahead with a killer new cartridge for it. As I understand it, the arm is more than capable of getting the best out of the best cartridges. And add a dust cover; I think the VPI's don't have that and to me that's a necessity. That will add some $ to either the Scout or the Classic.

Or, go with the Classic next year and sell me your 1 year old Scout for a fair used price

I will vote with the Classic.

The Scouts will be marked down as they get liquidated and this will drive down the resale value.

Also, I worry the fun upgrade path will be eliminated for the Scout.

I say, go deeply into debt now to stimulate the economy and get instant gratification with the Classic.

Mmmmmmm.

I want a Classic, too.

VPI does make a cover for the Scout:

http://www.vpiindustries.com/products_cover.htm

I have one and quite like it. There's a hole that fits over the spindle and the clamp holds the cover on. I just place the cover on and don't even tighten it down. $75 from VPI. Sent then a check and a week later I had a cover. The Classic Cover is $300, so add that to the price of your Classic.

I prefer the look of the Scout to the Classic so I'd go with that, all other things being equal, which they probably aren't.

I'd consider the new Well-Tempered Amadeus before thinking about the Classic at the same budget. Sorry to throw the wrench in the VPI discussion, but you did say you were open to suggestions!

Also: Nottingham. Very very musical tables...

You can buy an LP12 'kit' (like VPI, upgradable) for under $1000, ready to go. A Valhalla'd LP12, with a Linn Basik arm, will usually sell for under $1k, easy. More like $800.

I had the same thoughts(down to looking at the same "upgrade") before swapping the subplatter, platter, and rewiring the tone-arm. (and many more tweaks).. the total cost was around 300 bucks or so./

I've done a whole lot of listening to tables between then and now, and determined that I would have to spend a *hell* of a lot more money to get any sound improvements over this modded table.

of course if you aren't a DIY type, it doesn't really matter.

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I thought about that modding, but I think I'll be happier with a new setup.

you may for a while.... 300 is a hell of a lot cheaper than 800.

at any rate, enjoy your purchase.

I have had the Music Hall MMF-7 for a couple of years now, with the Benz Ace cartridge, and it is a really excellent combo. The Turntable was around $1000, and the cartridge around $600.

I have thought about upgrading a couple of times, but when I compare I keep coming to the same conclusion: A minor improvement in sound quality will cost me $4000 to $8000!
Nothing in a lower price range impresses me at all.

What I have sounds so good that I have pretty much decided to quit fussing and stay with it, lol.

I think that the Benz Ace cartridge is a real standout at its price, plus there are 3 versions; high, medium, and low output (I have the high output version). Highly recommended.

Just so you can hate me:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1252078124&/Voyd-Voyd

A nice table if there ever was one.

All you ever wanted out of a Thorens TD124, and more - with less hassles.

It should disappear fast.

Awesome! Give us a full report. With all those upgrade possibilities on the VPI, I think you're good for more than a year.

I have the Well-Tempered Classic and I have yet to find a compelling reason to change it up after almost twenty years. Mostly it's just that it's so good at what it does and has just about zero chance of wearing out. I know there are better tables or arms out there, but I'd have to shell out double what it costs today to really justify it.

That being said, it's simplicity of design is a major pain to set up, and it has no ability to deal with bouncy floors or other environmental bumps. It's antiskate sucks frankly (way too much).

There are times when I've thought, is this thing worth all this trouble? wouldn't it be nice to have it all just simple and easy to adjust and understand?

But...The thing just sounds incredible, and for anywhere near the price you won't get a quieter or more neutral rig. WAY deep bass and excellent details. So I'm keeping mine, but I'd say only get it if you're OK with some serious "under the hood" setup action.

I'm happy for you buddy! I think you're at the stage, with your Scout/Graham Slee, where you'll have to spend significantly more to get any marked improvement. Since you already have the Scout, I don't think you need to have that "I'm-upgrading-my-TT-in-a-year" mentality. If you come into the money, I'd rather go for a sweet cartridge instead (mono anyone?), and the SDS (what tonearm are you using, btw?)

SDS is supposed to be one of the best drive systems out there. I've heard of many VPI users proclaim that with the addition of the SDS, it was like getting a brand new TT with improvements in virtually all the sonic characteristics... it's a drive system based on pulse wave rather than sine wave, so it should add a significant improvement in torque. For the explanation why mucho torque = better sound, AD's article on Audio Note TT has a great explanation:

http://stereophile.com/artdudleylistening/listening_75/

(incidentally, judicata, the Audio Note TT that AD writes about is based on Voyd TTs, an example of which I linked a few posts back...)

Anyway, I also know a friend who all but gave up on his Thorens 124 because of speed/motor issues, but has added the SDS... now he loves the TT...

At any rate, have fun!

Yes...send it to Soundsmith.