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I presently play a several year old VPI Scotmaster, It has a JWN 9 inch arm, Its cartridge is a Benz Micro MC, I like, I'm not even sure it is faulty, but it has about 5000 hours. It's going to soundsmith. Let's say it is defective, what level would you repair it to. If you decide on a new cartridge. If you get and entirely new cartridge make sure it matches. Id like to here people's reasons, I will be replacing the cartridge with a Grado Platinum Statement MM . Id like to hear any reason. I would like to learn.
Boboli
Follow Ups:
I have a Soundsmith level 3 Benz L2 wood retip on a 12g arm, and I had two L2's before sending the first in. Memory is always a tricky thing on carts. It's not what we hear as much as "something just not there". Definitely I gave up no detail or speed on the change, bass is still at Benz level, and the Benz warmth seems to be all there. I was very happy with both the Benz and a Shelter 501 I did at the same time.
Also considered keeping the boron cantilever, might try doing this on my Dyna Karat. Many have noted the optimized LC is more difficult to dial in exactly than level 2.
I would expect about 9.35 in resonance on a 9.5g arm dependent on mounting hardware. Haven't heard a SS cart so cannot compare. Your arm should also be excellent on Dyna but they are not as warm.
The customer is then charged what he is likely to stand. ...
I highly recommend Soundsmith. I have used them several times and was pleased each time. I recommend sending it to them for an evaluation. I think it is around $85 and they apply that to the repair. That way you get his expertise in recommending the best repair rather than deciding up front. You can still decide on the ruby cantilever with line contact stylus after his recommendation.
Thanks to you both for the useful information.
why not consider a new cartridge that was created from the ground up for your arm by Peter. I only heard them on VPI tables at shows, and i was impressed by them, have not lived with any of them so i cannot give you a complete review. Peter has a very definite vision in sound and his designs all follow that, you may not agree with him in which case the whole discussion is moot. His designs favor accuracy and and speed over over heft and fullness. You get a third row center sound vs a mid balcony sound kinda effect with everything he touches :). This is all very subtle and frankly quite hard to describe, but once you hear it you will immediately recognize it.
As far as rebuild of the Benz goes, expect it to be a different sound when you get it back, it is going to be faster and more extended on both ends but probably a bit less lush then the original sound was. I base this on what i had with other cartridges rebuilt SoundSmith. I would go for the highest grade because it gives you the best tracking stylus of the bunch. Peter and crew does impeccable work.
dee
;-D
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.
quote by Kurt Vonnegut
nt
The original JMW-9 was only 7.7 g effective mass. Even with the VPI 3 headshell weight, it would be considered a low/medium mass arm, so a highish compliance cart would work best. I used a Dyna 20XL successfully in mine on a Scout. The Signature is in the 10 g range without headshell weight.
Opus 33 1/3
I guess I am mostly dabbling with the idea of getting a new cartridge vs retipping the Benz. Just looking for combinations that have made people happy. I value mid-range clarity and tight bass.
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