Cartridge upgrade for VPI Scoutmaster

Thank you for your input. I have decided to get an Zyx Airy 3. It is on its way and should be here by 12-3-08! I bought used from a reputable 'Goner. Will post after set-up.

Dyna and Benz cartridges work great with VPI arms. I would stick with these brands.

I've done a little recent experiment that, IMO, confirms Audiofeil's assertion of resonance issues in the JMW-9 arm. Admittedly, my Scout's Garrott Optim FGS is no uber high end cartridge. After adding a layer of SmallParts.com's thinnest resonance damping mat between the cartridge body and headshell, there was a very noticeable increase in resolution and diminished smearing of instrumental voices in complex passages. Perhaps other cartridge bodies with different construction have resonant frequencies that interact with the arm to lesser or greater degrees, but the interaction is most obvious with this combo.

Can you use a non-VPI arm on a VPI table? I'm still struggling to determine my next cartridge. I'd like to buy a Dynavector XV-1 and be done with it, but worry that my JMW-9 Signature won't do it justice.

>I'd like to buy a Dynavector XV-1 and be done with it, but worry that my JMW-9 Signature won't do it justice.<

It won't.

However, very few $1000 tonearms will optimize the XV-1s; you are not alone.

Don't let money burn a hole in your pocket. Find a nice Benz, Clearaudio, Zyx, etc. that works well in your arm until you can afford to upgrade.

The journey is ongoing; very few find the rainbow's end.