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JMW 9 effective mass?

I read on vinyl engine that the effective mass of the JMW 9 is 7.7 grams. If this is true, that would make the JMW 9 a LOW MASS arm. My cartridge is supposed to be used with Moderate to High mass arms. Its compliance is 15. I think I have a mismatch. Why doesn't VPI publish this information so I would not spend $1,500.00 on a cartridge that sounds wrong on my table. I have a Benz H2.

I was told that my arm is in fact a moderate mass arm. Well, where are the specs indicating this? I want to see for myself. If I have a low mass arm, I should be using high compliance cartridges, correct?

Where do I get this information, it did not come with my tonearm, it just had information on installation

What is a good High compliance cartridge?
tzh21y
toufu
83 posts
 
How about Van Den Hul cartridges? Which version should I get for my JMW9 arm? (I am also planning on upgrading it to a 10.5 arm, unless anybody else could tell me otherwise.)

I am also looking at Zyx cartridges, which I think would be a better match for the JMW arms?
franks
151 posts
 
Toufu, you should also consider the Dynevector and Lyra lines of cartridges. Both work extremly well in the VPI arms.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
Added a 3 gram headshell weight and it made a big difference in tracking. Bass is better and a more solid image. After adding the weight, I would say it it seems as though the weight is a necessity with the benz H2 and teh JMW 9 tonearm. I was tracking at about 2.2 grams. I can track at a lighter setting with better results. I am glad I got the weight. I needed a deeper set of cartridge screws. It sounded horrible withthe original screws.
stevencason
90 posts
 
This is a late entry to this thread but I thought I would add an entry for clarification.

I recently contacted VPI and asked for the effective mass of the JMW 9 their response was 10.2 grams.

Upon doing further research I found that VPI had increased the effective mass of the JMW 9 by 2.5 grams in 2010.

I am comfortable with using high compliance cartridges on my set up (Scout/JMW 9 purchased in mid 2006).

From my research it seems the conflicting effective mass specifications are correct depending upon when it was manufactured.

An example is the Stereophile review from 2003 by Art Dudley.

https://www.stereophile.com/turntables/776/index.html
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
I am using a newer JMW 9 arm on my scout and I would say it has a higher effective mass than is specified.  Its sounds great with a Lyra Delos.  I have the Stainless steel arm tube version.  I think its a match made in heaven
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