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Mounting a Shelter 501 on a JMW/9

This is quite a popular combination based on the number of visible systems on a'gon pages. But can it really be so difficult to mount the cartridge or is it just my novice alignment skills? It appears you need to mount the cart with the screws as far forward as they will go in the arm slots (with the left screw slightly back in order to angle the headshell), and even then the stylus doesn't go forward enough to hit the spot on the Geodisc. The overhang is huge, about 7 mm, and it just seems wrong somehow. Am I missing something here?
nickatkins
11 responses Add your response
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Get a DB protractor so that you can properly adjust overhand no matter what the arm-table combo.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Oh, what IS your table? And if not a VPI, who drilled/mounted the arm? Any chance this was mispositioned?
nickatkins OP
82 posts
 
Sorry, forgot to add that ;-) My table is a VPI Scoutmaster. I have the new Signature tonearm. I had no issues like this with my previous cartridge (Denon 103R) which I believe is due to the cantilever being much further forward relative to the cartridge body.
readster
241 posts
 
what did you think about the jmw-9 / denon 103r combo ?
dogface1956
6 posts
 
Hi,

I have the same set-up and I had mount my Shelter 501 the same way, I thought it was weird at first, but it works, sounds great to my ears. I used the both the Geodisc and the cartridge alignment tool that came with my VPI turntable and both put the cartridge in the exact same spot so I figured I had it dialed in correctly.

Jeff
bgrazman
226 posts
 
I didn't like the Shelter/JMW combination...

BUT, I'd think about using the Cartridgeman Isolator (there are a lot of people who consider shelter incompatible with JMW 9 because of mass and compliance issues)
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
Nick,
The Shelter on my signature/SM combo is all the way forward on the headshell as well. I used the alignment jig provided with the new arm, and I got the stylus to hit the dot.
nickatkins OP
82 posts
 
Dogface1956, I loved that combo! I can't imagine how price/performance can be beaten.
semi
649 posts
 
My VPI SSM w/ JMW9 Sig arrived recently and I just mounted my Shelter 901. Same observation as you, I had to push the cartridge all the way forward to hit the alignment mark. In fact, it's still a hair short but soundwise it was fine.

FYI, problem also exists on JMW10 when mounted on Aries.

I had Shelter 501 & JMW9 before, but not at the same time. My experience with 901 w/ JMW9 Sig so far has been pretty positive.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
New Shelter 501 mkll on my jmw 10.5, same problem as cited here. All the way forward still missing the jmw protractor dot by about 1 mm. I am convinced this is a combination of Shelter and VPI incompatibiity. VPI should make a warning on their website warning of this issue.

It sounds good though...makes me wonder how exact OH really has to be...
mtodde
2 posts
 
I am using a 501 on the standard JMW9 and it sounds wonderful. Elusive Disc installed the cart as I bought it with the table and it was almost all the way forward. When I installed the 3 gram headshell weight I had to remove the 501 and reinstall it and I was able to get it to line up perfectly with the dot on the VPI provided alignment tool.
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