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Cartridge for the JMW 10.5i

I've been looking for a cartridge to replace my Shelter 501 which I never really liked neither on the JMW 9 Signature nor the JMW 10.5i. It sounds better on the latter though with 3 grams added mass... Nevertheless, no matter what I do I can't get rid of some graininess and sibilance on some LPs (not only SH but new as well) and I simply refuse not to listen to my record collection because of this.

Also, in my system Shelter 501 sounds as if there were three separate layers of frequencies that don't mix really well because the midband was a bit thinner, although when the recording is good (let's say MoFi Aimee Mann How Am I Different...) there's nothing wrong with it and it's excellent.

I'm looking for a warm sounding cartridge that will be a good tracker and one that will serve vocals and winds/brass and acoustic instruments well.

I was looking at the Dynavector (from XX2 to DV-1), ZYX (Fuji - 4D), Transfiguration Phoenix, Koetsu Rosewood.
I was suggested to consider Soundsmith and Lyra as well...

Will my tonearm be able to optimize any of those cartridges or should I look somewhere else...
128x128janhavjar
nolitan
865 posts
 
I think there is something amiss with your set-up, the cart or the arm.
I had the 501s on the 9 and 10.5i and it was wonderful. None of the stuff you mentioned above.
As a matter of fact, before i settled for the 501 years back i briefly compared them to the xx2 and i much prefer the 501 sonic signature.
the sibilance issue could be due to misalignment or the vta is not correct.
janhavjar's avatar
janhavjar OP
7 posts
 
I've tried everything... Mint LP, VTA (one of the reasons I got the 10.5i in the first place), I've even replaced the speakers, I've treated the room... All of this have help a bit... Higher tracking force did help as well. At the moment the 501 is tracking at approximately 2.00 grams...
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Change the tonearm.

VPI makes decent tables.

The tonearms are a different story.
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
I would recommend a Benz Micro cartridge based on your requirements. Look at the ACE models or the Wood body models if your budget allows.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I could never get my Scoutmaster or Aries to the point that I liked them either. Both always seemed to have a bright sound to me. I also did the changing out of many components in the analog sectionf my set up to get rid of it. My Clearaudio tables (Performance, Solution, Champion II) never had that sound, so I had decided to switch to a Sota, rebuilt Technics or AR, and then at the last minute, after reading all of the glowing reviews, bought a VPI Classic.

I have not been sorry at all. I love this table. After I read how Harry at VPI researched the sound of dozens of old rigs that were built as a system, I decided to try this. I wanted to avoid the upgrade merry go round with a table that was simple to set up and use, and didn't require constant upgrade tweeking. This is it, I love this table and it has a great sweet, full, rich sound with excellent pace and extension.

It's a great table.
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