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Aries 1 JWM 10 Tonearm replacement or upgrades?

I have an original JWM 10 arm with the threaded counterweight on my Aries 1 turntable. Is there a suitable drop-in upgrade tonearm available or is there a set of upgrades I can do to maximize the existing arm as best bang for the buck? It has the original Discovery tonearm wire as came from the factory also.

Thanks for your input!

Have a great weekend!

billandsol
brf
1,715 posts
 
@melm, my comments are in reference to the 10 series of VPI JMW tonearms. 

If you have an original or later production JMW 12 metal arm, you may have to change out the fluid reservoir pivot point for the newer spiked pivot point to be compatible with the JMW 12-3D printed tonearm.  Azimuth side weight and VTA tower clearance is not an issue with JMW 12 tonearms. 
billandsol OP
50 posts
 

I really appreciate all the input on this thread!! I have done a bit of research and am wondering if my tonearm with the screw-on counterweight arrangement can be modified to accept one of the drop counterweights? I just bought a Dynavector 20x2H and thought that it might be possible to do the drop counterweight and then go to an upgraded armtube for a significant improvement? Motor upgrade is available for $300, worth it?

Thanks All !!

brf
1,715 posts
 
Yes, the original JMW 10 tonearm with the threaded counter weight can accept the new style tear drop counter weight without any modification.  A simple, inexpensive and worthwhile upgrade would be to change out the conical pivot point assembly for the newer spiked pivot assembly.  The end user can perform this replacement without any modification to the tonearm VTA tower.
billandsol OP
50 posts
 
You all rock and I am looking to get to a 12" super platter and a jwm 10" 3 D arm as major upgrades to my tt. Has anyone used isolation bases? HRX feet worth finding? My understanding is the verion for Aries 1 is no longer made. Have a great weekend !
soundwatts
221 posts
 
@billandsol 

what did you end up doing?  I would highly recommend the 10" 3DR with the new Nordost wire. And whatever VTA base and mod you would need to get the right pivot to spindle distance.  I have the arm and it is amazing.
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