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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
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,470 posts
 
I changed the VPI 9 Sig to the 10.5. on a Supersoutmaster with heavy platter using a Benz Ebony LP. There is an audible improvement, but it is very incremental. The big difference is that the 10.5 allows very precise repeatable VTA adjustment. If you change VTA often, then the 10.5 is the arm to get...if you set the arm so that it performs optimally with all your LP's, it may not be so cost effective. I find the 9 Sig to be a top notch arm and certainly good enough for me. I might bring your attention to http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Tonearm.html
arnold_layne
141 posts
 
i had been using what I would called "mid fi" turntables for a long time. When I decided it was time to go "audiophile" grade on a turntable, I was willing to spend about $2K on a TT/Arm combo. I purchased a VPI scoutmaster / JMW9 arm combo for $2K used. This was my first experience with a unipivot arm. After doing much research on the internet and asking questions here I was able to set it properly using the correct tools. The great plus to VPI turntables is the upgrades that are available. You can start off with the "base" model and upgrade things like tone arm, platter, add on things like the SDS speed controller, rim drive, periphery ring.

Steve
catfishbob OP
44 posts
 
Stringreen....I know very little about TTs therefore I would assume that I would not be fooling with the VTA on every record, at least not initially. I was advised NOT to get the signature wiring. The logic was that unless I had a super phono stage the sig might sound a little bright. Do you have an opinion on this? Thanks for the link

Thanks Arnold_layne

Where can I go to get a good "primer" on TT setup?
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