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Upgraded Carbon vs VPI Traveler

ScaleAutoArt

ScaleAutoArt

Super Member
I have a Pro-Ject Carbon with Ortofon Blue and acrylic platter. Pretty happy with what it does. That being said I still want to step up to a better table and the VPI Traveler is on my short list.

Will I benefit from the upgrade? If so will it be a notable difference?
 
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I think that would be a huge upgrade. If you want to stick with pro-ject for the same money, try the 2Xperience or for more, the perspex. I will end up with one of the three myself. One thing I really like is the acrylic platter. So maybe a VPI Scout.
 
juno said:
I think that would be a huge upgrade. If you want to stick with pro-ject for the same money, try the 2Xperience or for more, the perspex. I will end up with one of the three myself. One thing I really like is the acrylic platter. So maybe a VPI Scout.
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Actually I am impressed with what I have read on the VPI...and it's made in the USA, great materials and solid construction. Considering the popularity of my Carbon I should get most of my money out of it so the upgrade should be easy.

The VPI will also be more in line with the rest of my system.
 
I really like the traveller, but didn't care for the built in mat. They changed that. Don't care for the crackle finish. Waiting to see how the tone-arm issue shakes out. But really, the traveller or scout are at the top of my list...more so the scout due to the acrylic platter. Unfortunately, I do not know if their speed controller works on the traveller. its very expensive though, at any rate. Another reason I am leaning more toward pro-ject. I dislike having to move the belt each time I want to change speeds.
 
I had that exact same setup and I've also owned the Xpression III, Music Hall MMF-5 and currently using a MMF-7. Personally I'm done with Czech tables. I do like the sound of my Music Halls, I actually sold a Rega P3-24 and kept the MMF-5 over it but they just have a toy like feel to them. I really like the Traveler but my gut tells me to spend the extra money on the Scout. I know once I have the Traveler I will always be thinking "what if" and if upgraditus rears it's head, I can upgrade the Scout. With the Scout 1.1 out, you might find a good deal if a Dealer has the v1 in inventory or wait for the B-Stocks to be available again.
 
ScaleAutoArt said:
I have a Pro-Ject Carbon with Ortofon Blue and acrylic platter. Pretty happy with what it does. That being said I still want to step up to a better table and the VPI Traveler is on my short list.

Will I benefit from the upgrade? If so will it be a notable difference?
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For consideration:

VPI appears to be discontinuing the Scout, which is replaced by the the Scout 1.1

They appear to be the same table with the exception of the platter, i.e. acrylic going to aluminum. Subject to more scrutiny/verification.

Elusive Disc and Music Direct appear to me moving out Scout inventory to prepare for Scout 1.1 and good deals are available on the Scout. YMMV.

I know this because I am the beneficiary of one of these deals...Just placed my order yesterday.

K.
 
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ScaleAutoArt said:
I have a Pro-Ject Carbon with Ortofon Blue and acrylic platter. Pretty happy with what it does. That being said I still want to step up to a better table and the VPI Traveler is on my short list.

Will I benefit from the upgrade? If so will it be a notable difference?
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It will be a notable difference. A good way to know what you're getting in terms of sound quality from your current equipment is to listen to something better for a while and then return to the original. The Debut turntables are nice for what they are, though.
 
dosley01 said:
I had that exact same setup and I've also owned the Xpression III, Music Hall MMF-5 and currently using a MMF-7. Personally I'm done with Czech tables. I do like the sound of my Music Halls, I actually sold a Rega P3-24 and kept the MMF-5 over it but they just have a toy like feel to them. I really like the Traveler but my gut tells me to spend the extra money on the Scout. I know once I have the Traveler I will always be thinking "what if" and if upgraditus rears it's head, I can upgrade the Scout. With the Scout 1.1 out, you might find a good deal if a Dealer has the v1 in inventory or wait for the B-Stocks to be available again.
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Thats strange...I have the 7.1 and certainly don't get a toy feel to it. What I do get is an awesome sound
 
I guess that came across wrong, I do like how they sound. I just have been enamored with the VPI Scout and it seems so much more industrial than the MH/Pro-jects in the same price category. I'm really trying to tell myself that my MMF-7 is all I need and how much better could the Scout be? But it's not working. :tears:
 
beatcomber said:
Why? It's not any more of an effort than flicking a switch. I see it as one less electronic component to worry about breaking now.
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Not sure how the speed control works (in relation to the VPI table itself) but one was added to an XA table I did (without the motor pod doo-hicky)
The test results showed a slight increase in W/F/R measurements.
 
Bigerik said:
I'd think the Traveller would be a nice upgrade, from a nice table you already have.
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Yes...perhaps...but as you say I already have a nice table and should just be content for now. I am giving the Speedbox a try and if it does what everyone says it does I think I am good until I have a large sum of money to blow on an upgrade. Then I am leaning more towards a Scout or Clear Audio table.
 
I don't really know if a Traveler would be an significant upgrade from a Carbon with an acrylic platter.

I do know what you get with a Traveler is a heavy 8 pound aluminum & SS platter, a machined gimbal suspended tonearm, and a heavy solid plinth constructed out of aluminum and acrylic sandwich. It's an industrial quality construction that translates into amazing sound.
 
Too late to the thread but if the Traveler is a competitor to the Concept (sonically, whic I believ that it is) it would be a huge upgrade from the Carbon, with or without the Acrylic platter. I owned a Pro-Ject table with a Carbon fiber arm and an MH table with the Acryl-It platter both with a Speed Box...My Concept was far, far better. Not even close. From the reviews I have read the Traveler is similar in quality to the Concept.
 
Never too late ;)

I have had my eyes on the traveler for some time now and it will also remain on my upgrade list... especially if its big improvement over the Carbon. I can always get my money out of the Carbon.
 
Well today I had a small bonus show up so I am able to swing the upgrade to a VPI Traveler...found a demo unit for about 1K w/full warranty.

So I am now selling the Carbon. I will put it in Bartertown if anyone is interested.
 
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