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JMW 10.5 tonearm cartridge recommendation

I am buying a used VPI classic 1. It comes with a JMW 10.5 tonearm. If anyone here is using this arm, what cartridge do you recommend as a good match. I own a Soundsmith boheme cart that is on my current table. From the specs on the JMW arm, it looks like it may be a bit too light for the arm. Can anyone calculate tonearm resonant frequency for me. I couldn't find a formula to do it. Specs are below.

Tonearm: JMW 10.5i SE - Mass is 12.3g
Cart: Soundsmith Boheme Mass is 6.8g - Compliance 22um/mN

Thanks for your help

Andy
andyprice44
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I use a Benz Micro Wood SL .......Good Luck with the table I really like mine.
brf
1,715 posts
 
Contact Soundsmith directly regarding the compatibility of your cartridge and tonearm. They know both products very well.

As for a cartridge suggestion, the Dynavector 20x2 high output is an excellent choice.
actusreus
733 posts
 
Andy,
Here's a great website you can use to calculate the resonant frequency and find out more about arm/cart matching.

http://www.theanalogdept.com/cartridge___arm_matching.htm

Here's the formula:
rf = 159 / sqrt ((eff. mass + cart weight + fastener weight) * (compliance))

Now, just so you know, there is some inconsistent information regarding the Classic arm. VPI told me it was 11.2 grams. I understand there might be different versions of the arm - one made of aluminum, and one made of a combination of aluminum and steel. It's possible that yours is the latter and therefore heavier, but my Classic is relatively new and I asked a general question and received an unqualified answer.
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
664 posts
 
I've used a Dynavector DV-20XL on a JMW-9 Signature and my current JMW-10.5i with excellent results. Based on anecdotal evidence, the most common carts for JMW arms are Benz, Dynavector, and Lyra.
swanny76109
382 posts
 
I have run both a Cardas Myrtle Heart (which is a Benz Ruby 2) and currently run a Dynavector xx2 mk2 and both have worked great. The Soundsmith VPI model is supposed to be very good too, it is a higher output moving iron. There have been a lot of discussions about it, a great value around 1K. I might try it out next go around. Have fun w/ the Classic, it is a great table.
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