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VPI tone arm set up

Wanting to get back into analog, I just completed all my purchases (here on Audiogon) and am ready to start putting everything together. I have a VPI Aries 1 turntable, a VPI JMW 9 Sig. tonearm and a Shelter 501 mk11 cartridge I have mounted to a Cartridge Man Isolator. My question is- I understand the distance between the spindle and tone arm pivot is to be 223mm. Are they talking about center of turntable spindle to center of tonearm pivot? Also, I purchsed a VPI tonearm jig and noticed it only has 1 null point (inner, closest to turntable spindle) where as other jigs I've seen have 2 null points. Will this align correctly?
markpao

Showing 3 responses by markpao

markpao OP
524 posts
 
Thanks everyone who has responded. I will probably purchase the Mint Tractor just because I like to tweek, to me thats where half the fun is. My concern here though is that a couple of responces are pointing to maybe the Shelter 501 is not a good match for the VPI JMW9 tonearm. I was wondering what cartridge you guys are using that would be a better match? When I contacted VPI they did suggest adding weight, thats when I decided to go with the Cartridge Man Isolater, I think it adds about 2 grams.
markpao OP
524 posts
 
Markus, Is your Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood a MM or MC type?
markpao OP
524 posts
 
I wanted to follow up and let everyone know that I purchased the Mint Tractor as suggested and this was the best advice anyone could have given me. I had a few emails back and forth with Yip, from Mint LP Solutions, and gotta tell you he is a real gentleman and his customer service is second to none. Prior to the Mint, I did my setup with the VPI jig and thought I had it on. With the Mint, I found early on that I was slightly off with overhang and more so with the null point alignments. I then went back to the VPI jig after my adjustments only to see it now appeared aligned perfectly. Not that there is anything wrong with the VPI jig, but I think much easier to get it right with the Mint. The sound, WOW! I am now hooked on vinyl.
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