Help choosing a new cartridge

I had a Shelter 501 mk2 on a MM7 running through an EAR834P and this was great sounding. Then I traded up to a Lyra Argo i and the sound improved considerably; the Lyra is a much better tracker. How about a Dorion? Also I used to enjoy a Benz Glider M2 on a VPI HW19 with good results. A little more than $500 perhaps but these will make your table and phono pre shine. The load on the 834P is fixed at 500 Ohms.

Do you have the JMW9 standard or signature model? The JMW9 standard has an effective mass of 7.7g and the signature model's effective mass is 9.5g. Makes a big difference in terms of cartridge compatibility.

I have the standard, not the signature, arm. What does that mean for what cartridges I can use?

Well, if you apply the following formula:

rf = 159 / sqrt((7.7+.5+cw)*cu))

where cw = cartridge weight and cu = compliance
you should ideally get an rf (resonant frequency) number between 9 and 11.

7.7 is the effective mass of the JMW9 standard arm. .5 is the approximate weight of the mounting screws (if you know the exact weight of the mounting screws, use it instead).

So, if you plug in the values of a couple of cartridges:

Dynavector DV20XH - 8.6g cw , 12 cu, rf = 11.19
Benz Ace - 8.8g cw, 15 cu, rf= 9.93
Shelter 501 - 8.1g cw, 9 cu, rf=13.14

So, for the JMW9 standard arm, the Benz Ace is the best match. The Dynavector would still work fine, but not as well (rf between 8 and 12 is considered ok. between 9 and 11 even better). The Shelter would not be a good match.

Hope this helps.

Tom

It's difficult to find a moving coil in that price range, you usually have to spend more on those. However, some of the finest MM cartridges can be had for that price, or near there. I would suggest you go that route.