Back in the vinyl saddle again.


Since my divorce 8 years ago, I have not used my turntable and have been spinning CD's, followed by streaming. As a result, I decided to sell the turntable, along with the roughly 1,000 albums I still had.

To that end I set up the turntable so I could demo it for potential buyers.

Unfortunately, once I played first record, I was hooked again. Now I am mired in another rabbit hole and I am in need of some advice and recommendations.

Current setup is a VPI Scoutmaster (circa 2006) w/JMW 9 arm and a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM cartridge. The cartridge is probably overdue for either replacement or retipping. Related equipment are a Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL phono stage, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated, ATC SCM19 speakers and a REL bass array.

My questions are:

1. Should I keep the VPI or sell it and use the money to buy something newer? If I decide to buy, can you recommend any possible replacement? Budget, perhaps $2,000 CDN ($1,500 USD). 

2. If I keep the VPI, can someone please tell me the real effective mass of the JMW 9 (2006 version) I have? I have read it is anywhere between 7.7 and 10.2. Which doesn't really help.

3. Likewise, if I replace the Virtuoso Wood cartridge, what is a good replacement? Either MM or MC. I am considering a Dynavector XX2 MkII if it is a good match for the JMW9. Also, what do you think about buying used cartridges? Is it an option?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

tony1954

Showing 1 response by tooblue

I too own one of the early models of the VPI Scoutmaster  and use it in my headphone setup, keep that table and arm as they are really the sweet spot of the VPI line. My notes show the effective mass of our arms are 8.7 grams. I would also keep that Virtuoso cartridge, this cartridge is derived from a AT95/VM95 generator cartridge, just buy a stylus assembly for the AT95 which sell for $50.00 to $150.00 for the ML diamond and cut it down per the videos available on line. The changing of the stylus is really simple and after doing it once you just wonder what all the fuss was about. I run a Teo Audio CBP which is also a reworked AT95 and just replaced my stylus again last week for the second time, BTW it sounds great in that arm. Good luck and welcome back to vinyl. Enjoy the music