Anyone NOT like the sound of VPI?

The problem is the cartridge needs a 3-4 gram weight on the headshell to improve the upper bass lower midrange response. This is not an ideal match but can be made to work if you increase the mass.

You must also let the Valhalla wire break in, seriously, it needs 50 to 60 hours of playing to loosen up the sound. Set the back of the arm down slightly which will slighly increase the tracking force, make sure you are level and if you do not have seriously slam bang bass get
a new phono section.

I really don't understand why dealers team up cartridges and arms based on absolutely nothing. Get the Dynavector 20X-M and you will have slam, bass, and a beautiful soundstage and midrange.

HW

Lowering the tonearm at the base (my suggestion) will increase the bass, but go too far and you'll lose the mids and highs, so be careful. Also, adjusting the VTA will affect your VTF, so re-measure that when you are done.

Before adjusting, attempt to determine if the arm is parallel to the playing surface. Based on your symptoms, I would guess the arm is higher at the back and lower at the cartridge. If you can see that it is higher, without having to use a ruler, then it's WAY too high in the back. Otherwise, the way to measure is to lower the arm onto the record (use a beat up record) and use a ruler to measure the height of the arm at two points. That will tell you if the arm is higher at the back. (It's not that easy, truth be told, because the JMW9 arm is tapered. You have to look closely.)

And be careful not to knock the arm with your ruler or hand, since its sitting in the groove. I wouldn't want my advice to result in a busted cantilever!

Good luck.

Tom

I still think its most likely an issue with the low compliance cartridge. Vpihw's suggestion of adding mass to the tonearm is worth a try.

Vpihw is Harry Weisfield. Listen to what he says about his products and ignore the rest of us. He won't steer you wrong.

My Scout came with a Dynavector marked 20X.
9" arm.
The box has the H checked.
It only has an H and an L box to check.
Is the M a new version?
I love the Scout with a JLTi phono and the 20XH.
Would the 20XM or 20XL be an improvement?