But would the VPI Scoutmaster actually out-perform the Techie in fidelity? maybe not as much as you think.

So much "advanced" HiFi isn't advanced at all IMO. It's merely "bling-fi" with a hugely over-inflated price tag designed to be a mugs eyeful. the technics 1200 visual design has been with us for around 40 years and you can relate directly back to the 1970 SL 1200. That and the current "Rega" cost of the standard model tends to put audiophools off. Fine by me, as these audiophools bought the LP12 in the 70's because it was the "in" thing to have rather than anything else and they soon moved on the the "Orrible Oracle" (it was in it's very early incarnations) 'cos it was more expensive and looked more flashy.. And so it goes on.

I still think a suitably plinthed SP10 is a fantastic deck and because of the wider arm choice on a large plinth (a 1200 looks dreadful with a hole where the arm should go) I'd be delighted with one of these as an alternative to the amazing NAS Dias, which doesn't appear to have a sound at all.