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VPI Scout cartridge compliance

I have acquired a VPI Scout with a JMW-9t (not signature) tonearm. The table didn't come with a cartridge, so I have been using a Shure M97xE that I had laying around (and it works amazingly well). I've been reading a number of forums that state a JMW-9t arm needs a medium to high compliance cartridge due to its relatively low mass. I've also seen literature for the low compliance Soundsmith Zephyr that states it was designed specifically for VPI arms. Which is right? What do I want to accomplish here?
bobana0
tswisla
79 posts
 
The Zephyr is the perfect match for the 9 Sig and 10" arms, which weigh more. The best bang for the buck cartridge for the 9t is the DV 20x. Don't believe me? Just call VPI. Adding mass with weights or screws is nonsense, never worked for me no matter what I tried.
bobana0 OP
9 posts
 
Thanks Tswisla. That sounds like good advice.

Although, I tried a DV 10x5 and wasn't that impressed. I use a Jolida JD9 and it has enough settings for anything, but I couldn't come up with one that sounded right with the 10x5. Maybe the 20x would simply be a better match for the system even though the compliance is the same.
dodgealum
976 posts
 
I have run the 20XH, 20XM and 20XL on my Scout. The 20XL was the best performer. In my system the AT OC9MLII was better for half the money. Note: the Dyna's were not the "2" versions so I don't know how, for example, the 20XL2 would compare to the OC9.
jrsbat2
11 posts
 
I am using a Soundsmith Sussurro Paua with my Classic 2 arm. Talking with Peter and with VPI all Soundsmith carts work well on VPI arms. The compliance numbers for the Paua say it should not work with my VPI - but it does work very well. I use the Soundsmith EZ-Mount Cartridge Screws. The EZ-Mount screws come in pairs made of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and brass. You can tweak the arm weight by using different screws. Also, the knurled screw body makes it easy to mount a cartridge.
moofoo
100 posts
 
I just got a Scout 1.1 with Soundsmith Zephyr and it sounds great, better than my Marantz TT-5S1 which had the Clearaudio Vituoso Wood. My Scout has the JMW-9t arm. At first I was using a 1M Audioquest Victoria from the table to my phono-pre, then went to .6M Victoria, which I think sounds much better.
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