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VPI JMW-9 Signature Questions

I just upgraded the stock JMW9 to the JMW9 Signature on my Scoutmaster. Just installed it this evening.

Without even burning it in, I can hear an improvement....more substance and texture to the music, without adding warmth/veiling.

But I have a couple of questions for others using the Signature.

1. How long do the new Valhalla wires require to burn in properly?

2. Do you use the damping fluid or not? If so, how much do you use? What audio difference does it make?

3. Are you using the add-on antiskating device, or just using the VPI recommended wire twist method? Right now I'm using the wire twist because I never thought antiskating was an issue in my previous setup.

4. I thought I read somewhere that one of the upgrades of the Signature is that it allows finer adjustment of VTF. But as far as I can tell, VTF (and azimuth) is still adjusted the same (rather clumsy) way of simply pushing (and turning) the counterweight. Am I missing something?

Thanks for any and all input.
coffee_nudge

Showing 3 responses by nickatkins

nickatkins
82 posts
 
1. They say about 100 hours or so. That seems like an awful lot and I'm not sure if I'm there yet but I've stopped noticing any more improvements. It sounds better than the stock JMW/9 arm and I'm happy for that. I reckon about 10-20 hours will do it (just a guess).

2. Yeah I do but only because I'm now using a low-compliance cartridge (Shelter 501). I have the well filled to about 3 mm from the top.

3. Yep, using the new one. I broke my fishing line so had to buy new nylon wire ($1.50 for 4lb fishing line from WalMart). I can't say I notice much difference (if any) from the standard twisted wire approach, however it looks cool ;-)

4. As far as I can tell, it's the exact same VTF mechanism as before. I was confused about that too.

Hope that helps.

Nick.
nickatkins
82 posts
 
Talking of screws, anyone know what the one in the top of the tonearm above the pivot point is for?
nickatkins
82 posts
 
I've been toying with the anti-skate, between removing it altogether and setting it on minimum (weight all the way to the right). I've convinced myself that this affects the imaging but I'm not so sure. If it's true that they put that new mechanical anti-skate on for "marketing reasons" then we should all just leave it off and forget it's there.
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