VPI

VPI has upgraded their most well-known turntable, the Scout, to the Scout 1.1 with a new price of $2000 and has introduced two new models, the Classic Companion at $4000 and the Classic 4 at $8000.

	The difference between the original Scout and the Scout 1.1 is in the platter and bearing. The previous acrylic platter has been replaced by a 1.25-inch thick, very heavy and well-damped aluminum platter. This platter is very reminiscent of the magnificent platter on the Classic turntables and has the same excellent acoustic properties and large flywheel effect that damp out resonant colorations and keep instantaneous speed variations to an absolute minimum. The main bearing is now of the inverted type and is also similar to that of the Classic models.
	The Classic Companion uses a Classic 2 walnut chassis/plinth with the same 20 pound, 2-inch thick aluminum platter and the same inverted main bearing. There is a built-in, 24-volt power supply to feed the motor a pure signal and an external transformer to keep line voltage away from the turntable and cartridge. This lowers noise and results in a cooler motor. This model also uses the standard Classic 2 tonearm mount with adjustable VTA on the fly. The departure from the other Classic models is that the Companion uses a 10.5-inch tonearm with gimbal bearings rather than the unipivot bearing of other models. Finally, the Classic Companion comes with a pre-mounted Grado Companion, a model specifically designed for VPI. This low-inductance cartridge has sufficient output (1.5 mV) to be used with most phono preamplifiers or built-in phono stages.
	The Classic 4 is essentially a scaled up version of the Classic 3 with a plinth large enough to accommodate the very long JMW 12.7 tonearm. The advantage of longer tonearms like this is, of course, reduced errors in horizontal tracking angle and concomitant reductions in distortion. The Classic 4 can be fitted with a second JMW 12.7 for an additional $2000 for those who wish to be able to use two different cartridges without having to change their hardware. All other features of this model remain the same as in the Classic 3.