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Mounting a Shelter 501 on a JMW/9

This is quite a popular combination based on the number of visible systems on a'gon pages. But can it really be so difficult to mount the cartridge or is it just my novice alignment skills? It appears you need to mount the cart with the screws as far forward as they will go in the arm slots (with the left screw slightly back in order to angle the headshell), and even then the stylus doesn't go forward enough to hit the spot on the Geodisc. The overhang is huge, about 7 mm, and it just seems wrong somehow. Am I missing something here?
nickatkins
dogface1956
6 posts
 
Hi,

I have the same set-up and I had mount my Shelter 501 the same way, I thought it was weird at first, but it works, sounds great to my ears. I used the both the Geodisc and the cartridge alignment tool that came with my VPI turntable and both put the cartridge in the exact same spot so I figured I had it dialed in correctly.

Jeff
bgrazman
226 posts
 
I didn't like the Shelter/JMW combination...

BUT, I'd think about using the Cartridgeman Isolator (there are a lot of people who consider shelter incompatible with JMW 9 because of mass and compliance issues)
nickatkins OP
82 posts
 
Dogface1956, I loved that combo! I can't imagine how price/performance can be beaten.
semi
649 posts
 
My VPI SSM w/ JMW9 Sig arrived recently and I just mounted my Shelter 901. Same observation as you, I had to push the cartridge all the way forward to hit the alignment mark. In fact, it's still a hair short but soundwise it was fine.

FYI, problem also exists on JMW10 when mounted on Aries.

I had Shelter 501 & JMW9 before, but not at the same time. My experience with 901 w/ JMW9 Sig so far has been pretty positive.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
New Shelter 501 mkll on my jmw 10.5, same problem as cited here. All the way forward still missing the jmw protractor dot by about 1 mm. I am convinced this is a combination of Shelter and VPI incompatibiity. VPI should make a warning on their website warning of this issue.

It sounds good though...makes me wonder how exact OH really has to be...
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