I finally installed my cartridge onto the 3D tonearm for my Super Scoutmaster Rim Drive Reference table with Classic platter. I drove to VPI (about an hour from my home) and they helped get the right counterweight and made a few preliminary adjustments to the arm (Thank you Leo!!) as I was shipped a 180 gram weight for the JMW metal arm included with the 3D arm which does not fit on the 3D arm. They also changed the mounting base for my VTA tower, as the 3D arm was hitting the side of the tower on the original baseplate. The 180 gram weight is way too heavy for the Titan-i cartridge which was previously recommended on the VPI website for this cartridge. I believe I ended up with a 140 gram weight with a small fine counterweight adjustment attached.
The CounterIntuitive that came with the 3D arm was too tight on the counterweight and very difficult to adjust even after putting on some oil, so I did away with it, which made adjusting VTF & azimuth easier. I also started using the SoundSmith cartridge screws (aluminum) but found that the high profile made it more difficult to adjust azimuth, so I ended up using regular screws with tiny washers which came with the SoundSmith screws. All in all I spent about 10 hours installing the cartridge, as the Mint LP protractor is extremely precise with very thin lines.
I used the Mint LP protractor for this arm, as I had also used it for the 10.5i tonearm. I used a Fozgometer, a CartridgeMan digital force gauge and digital level, a magnifying glass and a good hand-held LED light (Larry brand).
I will make a separate review of the 3D arm, but my initial listening shows that this arm brings more music, more information, is tonally more accurate, and is more detached from the speakers with more impact and better attack, sustain, and decay.
I want to thank Mat and Harry at VPI for their help, support, and hospitality. They were truly great to deal with and helped correct the glitches with the 3D arm. I was also invited to Harry's house to listen to his various listening rooms with different systems- I thought I was in audio heaven- it was great to listen and spend some time there while my tonearm and turntable were being adjusted and corrected. Harry is truly a music lover and audiophile of the highest order. Thank you again Harry & Mat!!! You guys rock!!!
The CounterIntuitive that came with the 3D arm was too tight on the counterweight and very difficult to adjust even after putting on some oil, so I did away with it, which made adjusting VTF & azimuth easier. I also started using the SoundSmith cartridge screws (aluminum) but found that the high profile made it more difficult to adjust azimuth, so I ended up using regular screws with tiny washers which came with the SoundSmith screws. All in all I spent about 10 hours installing the cartridge, as the Mint LP protractor is extremely precise with very thin lines.
I used the Mint LP protractor for this arm, as I had also used it for the 10.5i tonearm. I used a Fozgometer, a CartridgeMan digital force gauge and digital level, a magnifying glass and a good hand-held LED light (Larry brand).
I will make a separate review of the 3D arm, but my initial listening shows that this arm brings more music, more information, is tonally more accurate, and is more detached from the speakers with more impact and better attack, sustain, and decay.
I want to thank Mat and Harry at VPI for their help, support, and hospitality. They were truly great to deal with and helped correct the glitches with the 3D arm. I was also invited to Harry's house to listen to his various listening rooms with different systems- I thought I was in audio heaven- it was great to listen and spend some time there while my tonearm and turntable were being adjusted and corrected. Harry is truly a music lover and audiophile of the highest order. Thank you again Harry & Mat!!! You guys rock!!!