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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
br3098
969 posts
 
I have had an Aries 1 and JMW 10" (original version) arm for over 10 years. I agree with mant who say that the JMW arm may not be the best arm, but I think that it works well in concert w/ the VPI decks if all is setup properly. Over or under damping is a big issue - it's a PITA to get it just right.

I have tried a variety of cartridges on the JMW arm. The one that stayed the longest was the Grado "The Reference". Not to say that it was the best cartridge for all LPs. But I didn't find anything I liked better of thought was a good value until I tried a Soundsmith "The Voice" cartridge (medium compliance version). I liked it so much that I bought an SMMC1 mono mounted on a seperate JMW arm wand. Works and sounds great, IMHO.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Hi String

What do you find the main differences are beteen the Ebony LP and XV-1s?

also what exact model of the Ebony do you have as there seems to be a few.

I owned a Ruby2 a few years back and it was grey,dark and grainy in comparison to my XV-1 - looks like they have improved.
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
I use Lyra Titan-i on my Super Scoutmaster with rimdrive and 10.5i tonearm with excellent results- very musical, dynamic, very quiet in the groove, and tracks very well at 1.72 grams.

I used the Mint LP protractor to align this cart. Whatever cartridge you choose, the Mint LP protractor is highly recommended for this tonearm versus the stock VPI protractor for the best performance.
romaxim
13 posts
 
The Benz Ebony LP is the Cadillac, the Dyna XV-1s is the Ferrari. I had both on my VPI arm, besides van den Hul, Koetsu, Micro Magic Diamond etc.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Stringbean,
I never said anything about "approved" tonearms. You are putting words in my mouth.

I simply pointed out the facts i.e. Audiogon's knowledgable/experienced analog participants own Triplanars, Grahams, Fidelity Research, SME, etc.

And people like you own jmw.

It's that simple.

thank you
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