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I have a older used VPI super scoutmaster with rim drive and a 10.5 JMW unipivot tone arm, what would be gained by installing a dropped counterweight?
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not a whole bunch as it's minor you may find. I thought I noticed an increase in stability but sound wise?
I have one on my Scout that replaced the original concentric one. It is WAY more involved to set up properly. The comments below are not to be taken lightly. I can't say for sure if there is an audible difference because it takes sooooooo long to set things up you may crawl into bed after changing them out. The unipivot is so dam demanding to get right.
If you do decide to go with it take breaks, move slowly and precisely, and don't forget to put on your stylus guard.
A dropped counterweight adds more stability to a unipivot arm as it helps move the center of the arms gravity further below the pivot point. However, it presents an additional difficulty for adjustment in that the position of the weight will affect azimuth. Lots of people using the dropped weight also use the Soundsmith Counterintuitive device to help adjust the weight's position. Another option that helps is the second pivot accessory.
" dropped counterweight". I assume that you mean a counterweight whose position lies below the pivot point of the arm?The stock JMW counterweight is effectively of this type. Its mass is not distributed evenly around the rear of the arm tube but mainly below the tube and below the pivot i.e. it has a low centre of gravity. This increases stability particularly when tracking warps. It is an essential consideration for unipivot arms.
With the JMW unipivot design the fact that the mass of the counterweight is not evenly distributed but eccentrically means that not only does it set cartridge VTF by movement fore and aft but also azimuth by movement side to side. A point to bear in mind when considering any replacement as also is its total weight which should be such that its position to balance the cartridge is as close as possible to the pivot for lowest inertia.
I cannot see any advantage in replacing the stock JMW counterweight for a "dropped" design as it is, effectively , one where the main mass is already placed below the pivot.
"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams
Edits: 02/17/21
nt
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