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Technics SP15 vs. VPI Scout

I've just spent a few weeks compating an SP15 and a Scout, just as I did in this post; Scout vs. SL1200:

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=638207&highlight=passiveo&r=&session=

This time the results were different. Both tables were evaluated using a Denon DL-103R loaded at 100ohms. I've found that 100ohms + 100pF works best for me. The phono stage the Welborne Labs Reveille, which is excellent. No step-up transformers, the gain was set to 64dB.

The Scout is a great turntable. Its stengths include excellent "weight" or presence and development of harmonics. The Scout also throws a deep and wide soundstage, and is very quiet.

The SP15 is more like the Scout that most would believe. The soundstaging is identical; no kidding. Presence is also a near dead-heat, with the Scout edging ahead ever so slightly. The Scout also does a better job of revealing harmonic content, but again, it's almost too close to call, and requires concentration to hear.

The SP15 has some obvious advantages, more obvious than the Scout's. First, the SP15 is quieter. I was very surprised by this. There is definitely less surface noise present. This leads to better retrieval of detail and clearer "space" around instruments and vocalists.

Second, the SP15 has better rhythm. Pop and rock music have more snap and "toe tap-ablility." I think this is due to the fact that the SP15 favors the leading edge, or attack, of a sequence while the Scout seems to favor the decay of a sequence (at least as compared to the SP15). I beleive this is also the reason why the Scout sounds better developed harmonically. This is odd, because I'd expect lower noise floor to equate to better decay.

In the end, I like the Scout best for classical (especially piano) and the SP15 best for just about everything else. However, I expect that a tonearm re-wire for the Audio Technica ATP-12T on the SP15 would help. The wire appears to be original, and was probably made before people realize wire makes a difference.

Setups:

SP15 with Audio Technica ATP-12T arm (10" arm, medium mass) and Denon DL-103R. Modest home-made (done well, it seems) plinth. Herbie's Way Excellent II mat. Total cost = $700 :-).

Scout with JMW 9 arm, 3g headshell weight and a Denon DL-103R. Records clamped to the platter with no mat. The Herbie's mat and the Scout do not get along, in my opinion. Total cost (Scout purchased mint-used) = $1450. The cost here also includes $100 for interconnects :-).


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Topic - Technics SP15 vs. VPI Scout - PassiveO 22:58:39 05/04/07 (12)


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