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new turntable/setup advice.....garrot Optim FGS

Im looking for My first TT in years. I dont have any local dealers so I will probably be ordering the gear. I have been reading everything here for several months and now I am ready to pull the trigger. I am weighing several decisions.

1) Do I start off with some sort of starter table? Rega P-3 or the like. Or do I jump in "Whole Hog" and get a Scoutmaster or something similar that can be upgraded.

I'm leaning toward the VPI line because I understand the setup is pretty painless. So a couple of questions about the VPIs.

2)Is the JWM-9 "signature " A really good upgrade over the standard JWM-9. Other than the wire upgrade are there other features such as more versatile settings.

2) Ive had a recommendation of the Garrot Optim F.G.S. MM cart. I would like some info from someone using this cart.

Sorry if Im rehashing old posts but I have read everything that I could find.
catfishbob
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Catfishbob,

I was just thinking of posting an almost identical question...

I can't decide if I should buy something inexpensive to get my feet wet and go up or dive in full force to start. I also haven't had a TT in over 20 years, so set up and the like are real concerns. Should I risk me screwing up an expensive table or start low and work up??

What do you analog guys think?
photon46
1,086 posts
 
Kennyt & Cfbob, you ask a very subjective question....so it's hard for someone who doesn't know you well to give meaningful advice. One person's beaucoup bucks is another's chump change. That aside, I'd ask; how dextrous and patient are you? Tonearms like VPI that implement azimuth and tracking force adjustments by moving the same weight in different directions/rotations can be a test of patience and coordination. If you are a bit of a klutz, I'd consider a tonearm that implements each adjustment with a discrete adjustment. I've got good hand eye coordination, close up vision, and patience and I don't consider VPI set up (done well) painless at all. The advice to consult with a longtime expert dealer like Hollywood Sound or Audiofeil is wise, don't hesitate to benefit from their experience.
catfishbob OP
44 posts
 
Kennyt....you mirror my feelings exactly. I wonder how much I will enjoy vinyl. Ive been going through some of my old vinyl and am excited by the prospects. I only wish I could be close enough to one of these dealers so I could meet face to face and hear the product.

Photon46.....Klutz?.....Moi?...probably. What arms do you consider user Friendly?
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
I find that VPI stuff is very easy to install and get running well. The factory is always helpful with a real desire to make their customers happy. I find that they don't shmooze, but in simple E=mails can solve any problem with their products. ...and then there are all of us in Audiogon-land just waiting to help. I know after I do a major VPI upgrade(changed the 9 Sig for the 10.5i) that turns out well, I'm especially happy and proud of what I did, and also, it is a great learning experience. Don't be chicken...just do it
photon46
1,086 posts
 
No offense meant Catfish. I've just worked with some guys who really don't do well with small parts and fussy adjustments. If you take your time and don't get impatient, it's really not hard to do. When I say it's not painless, I mean you just have to be prepared to make the same adjustment more than once to get everything dialed in to the nth degree. Sometimes I've changed cartridges and everything went smooth as silk and I was done in 40 minutes. Sometimes (last Sunday,) things didn't settle as well on the first try and it took me an hour and a half to get things right. Stringreen is right, you just have to jump in the deep end and learn to swim.
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