Thank you Tinpan for recognizing I picked up a bunch of reels and records from the floor and vacuumed the floor to take that picture. 8)
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/05/a0/7c/05a07ca7420d9cb1a89c13ad18439ef9.jpg)
The VPI Aries is huge (like 1 1/2 times the width of a regular TT) and has no dust cover, so it picks up dust like a magnet (I have an acrylic case that is supposed to emulate a dust cover but rarely use it). I have it connected to a VPI speed controller. The Van de Hul Frog cart is absurdly expensive. Adjusting the arm requires a unique jig that comes with the unit.
So... Is it any better than a Rega RP1, Technics SL-1200, etc.? God yes! I would have never bough a TT setup like that normally (like $7K bucks all together, probably more if you include the carbon fiver 'feet'). But a deal presented itself and I went for it. I am not sorry I did. With the right LP it makes a huge difference. I thought this acquisition was going to be "amplifier currency" - I would eventually turn the turntable into an amplifier through trades. I am not trading it any time soon.
I will post pics later - the TT is on the far right of the pics and outside the field of view.
As a side note, the Steve WVU who sold this TT to me has some experience with the VPI Scout (and other VPIs) and did not think it was up to par with other VPIs, if memory serves me.
Regards,
OBG