Aries 1 JWM 10 Tonearm replacement or upgrades?

Discovery wire is fine.....if you can work a 3D printed arm - especially with the 2nd pivot (150 dollars).....it can really improve.  Also, replace the standard feet with Bearpaws.....(large brass cones) for an additional improvement....that should keep you busy.....

I have the same setup, I wouldn't trade it for anything. VTA much easier than the newer versions too. Let me know if you do change it out, I would be interested in your JMW10.

Original Aries is one of the best tables VPI ever produced.  Especially the "Extended' model with the JMW-12 arm.  Like  @stringreen suggests....  Get a current model 3D printed arm.  Call VPI to make sure it will work without any modification to the base and enjoy.

Stringreen...I am interested in getting some bearpaws for my Prime. There are many to choose from?  What model do you recommend?

OP....talk with VPI. They sold me a second 3D arm at a reduced price as it was a demo in their workshop and I agree get the second pivot. 

FYI, the new JMW 3D printed tonearm is not a drop in replacement for the original JMW 10 tonearm as the new 3D is 10.5 inches whereas the the original JMW is 10 inches.  You will need to purchase a new VTA tower if you plan to upgrade the arm.  The Aries 1is a very nice table.

ekimg.....here's a link 

http://edensoundaudio.com/shop/category/terrastone-platforms/

Call him up (nice guy) and tell him your table and he'll make the correct attachment.   On the site look at "products"

The early Aries are very good

As I did with my 12" arm, you can probably purchase just the 3D arm tube but you will also need a new lower bearing pivot point.  The old VTA tower can be adjusted, pivoted on its base, to accommodate a slightly longer arm if that is necessary.  The factory can probably advise on this, Also ask at the VPI forum.

Re: compatibility....

The spindle-to-pivot distance is the same for the 3D 10 and the JMW 10.  258mm.  Check with VPI so make sure there are no other gotchas.  

Original JMW 10 on the aries 1 is 250 mm

@taj2 - That's a VERY GOOD reason to call VPI to verify EVERYTHING.

You can also order the VPI feet of the HRX version as I did with my Aries 1, very nice improvement.

Just my opinion, but feet like VPI's aren't very effective at providing isolation. For the price of them you can get a set of Townshend Audio Seismic Pods, VERY effective isolators.

Just a couple of points of clarification to a few of the above posts. The original JMW 10 with the threaded counter weight is shorter than the new JMW 3D tonearm, therefore, it will have a different spindle to pivot mounting distance. Although the original JMW 10 VTA tower does have an adjustable dog leg platform to accommodate and fine tune spindle to pivot distances, the azimuth side weights of the newer 3D tonearms will not clear the older VTA tower.

@brf may be correct; he usually is.

My own experience is a substitution of the 12" 3D arm for an original on a very original 12" base. As I wrote above, I did need to change the original lower bearing for the "spike" now used. At its closest point (which is just after leaving the rest position) the larger azimuth side weight clears the tower by about 1/2 inch. While on the record the distance is far larger.

On the pictures of the arms at the VPI site though, the azimuth side weights of the 10" arms seem quite a bit smaller than those of the 12" arms.

So who knows, but best to figure it out before purchase.

@melm, my comments are in reference to the 10 series of VPI JMW tonearms. 

If you have an original or later production JMW 12 metal arm, you may have to change out the fluid reservoir pivot point for the newer spiked pivot point to be compatible with the JMW 12-3D printed tonearm.  Azimuth side weight and VTA tower clearance is not an issue with JMW 12 tonearms. 

Yes, the original JMW 10 tonearm with the threaded counter weight can accept the new style tear drop counter weight without any modification.  A simple, inexpensive and worthwhile upgrade would be to change out the conical pivot point assembly for the newer spiked pivot assembly.  The end user can perform this replacement without any modification to the tonearm VTA tower.

You all rock and I am looking to get to a 12" super platter and a jwm 10" 3 D arm as major upgrades to my tt. Has anyone used isolation bases? HRX feet worth finding? My understanding is the verion for Aries 1 is no longer made. Have a great weekend !

@billandsol 

what did you end up doing?  I would highly recommend the 10" 3DR with the new Nordost wire. And whatever VTA base and mod you would need to get the right pivot to spindle distance.  I have the arm and it is amazing.

@billandsol, there is a VPI Super Platter with inverted bearing on U.S. Audiomart right now, asking price $1200.