ZYX R-100 Yatra & SME 3009 MKII Non-Improved

I got that same cartridge in a package deal with a vpi-scout and the first thing I noticed after setting it up was tracking issues.

I added headshell weight of 6gm which should have brought my combination into a reasonable region resonance wise but tracking was still not the best. It could track only the first(12db) bias test track (side 1 track 6) on the Hi-Fi News test record. And to do that took a higher VTF that spec'd by zyx. I also tried it on a Rega P2 and got similar results.

My plan is to set it up again someday and try listening to it more before deciding whether to keep it or not. For now I'm sticking with my Ortofon Jubilee which has excellent tracking and sound.

Bottom line is this cart can have tracking issues for some. I have found other threads about it here on Audiogon. I'm not saying it's not a good cart, that's why I still plan to give it another chance someday. It's very likely I just didn't find the right combination of things to set it up properly. Although I haven't encountered any other carts that required this much effort.

Maybe others will chime in with good experience of it's tracking. I would like to hear what setups have worked well. It might give me a clue for what to try next with it.

Before I get chastised for using test records I just want to mention that I have read the advice here to not pay too much attention to their results. I am willing to take this advice and that is why I am planning to give another try with this cart, this time by listening to music instead.

DougDeacon,
Yes I agree about the zyx/jmw-9 mismatch. It was a used package from another Audiogoner and all I really wanted was the scout, but accepted the cart as part of the deal just to give it a try. I agree that even more than the 6gm I added would likely improve things. Thanks for the input.