2. analog
  3. 158254-4119

Cartridge for vpi Aries scout with jmw9 tonearm

Hello all,
I recently handed my trusty original rega planar 3 down to my son who is building a system. I purchased a used vpi Aries scout with jmw9 tonearm. Any suggestions on a cartridge that is a good match with this table/arm combo? I have always used a Denon 103r and like the sound, but wondering what else is out there that might be worth a try. Open to both mm and mc. 
Thanks for any suggestions.
Cheers
skipper320
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Denon was very cheap, what's the budget for new/better cartridge ?
And what is the effective mass of your tonearm ? 

Definitely you have to look for cartridges with advanced stylus profile (shibata, line contact, micro ridge, stereohedron ... ), because your denon is conical.   

If the budget is under $800 then definitely look for MM or MI
If the budget is over $1k you could find LOMC (but you'be been using MC, maybe it's time for something else ?)  


yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,701 posts
 
The mass of that arm is 10 grams. Any Grado is a good match with that arm!
https://gradolabs.com/cartridges/
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,404 posts
 
I ran an AT OC 9 on that arm and loved it!
br3098
995 posts
 
I’ll second the Grado suggestion. I purchased an Aires 1 deck w/ JMW 10 in 1998 and used it as my primary and then secondary deck for several years. I already had a Grado The Reference cartridge and mounted it. Sounded great. I tested several other MM and MC cartridges over the years and always went back to the Grado. Detailed enough, warm and musical. My advice is to purchase the best Grado cartridge you can afford or fits your budget.

More to discover