Upgraded my Sonata to a 501 mkII...

TSWisla

...so far I am very impressed. Very warm, tons of detail, not as much umf on the bottom end though. Will post a pic when I get a chance.:D

zingo

Sounds sexy...

quadzilla

How do you have your cart set up? I assume you're using the JMW 9 on that Scoutmaster? On my Rega, which uses the same geometry, I found that 1.9 grams VTF with the VTA set such that the stylus is self is as close to perpendicular to the vinyl surface as I could get it provided optimum playback. I also found that Baerwald alignment is best for my tastes. You may also find that bass increases as the suspension breaks in. Most people report that the cart is bright and thin during the first several hours of use, then begins to fill out as it breaks in. Other points to note is that when Shelter says 100 Ohms input impedance maximum at the phono stage, they mean it. More will also make the cart sound thin.

Anyway, congrats on the cart. I'm immensely pleased with mine.

TSWisla

Thank you very much for the info. I have it set at 100 Ohms. I had it set up using the Feickert alignment tool and the Feickert software. I believe I have the tracking force set at 1.88. I may have to play with the VTA, but I think that it is set slightly back (rear of arm slightly lower). I don't find it bright at all right now, but the bass is certainly thin. I do have the JMW 9t. Thank you again.

quadzilla

If you take an old record and just set the stylus down, does it seem to lean either forward or back? I had to raise the rear of my arm slightly and the bottom of the cart is almost level with the surface of the record, just very slightly raised in the back.

The way I set the VTA was by just dropping the needle on an album that I didn't care about, then using a magnifying glass to view the stylus tip. When it appeared to be 90 degrees from the record, I left it alone.

quadzilla

Actually, I'm going to take back what I said about making the stylus perpendicular. I talked to Brian (Bryan?) over at needle doctor, and he said that the optimum angle for the Shelters is 20 degrees +/- a degree or two each way. I'm just got done changing mine, and as soon as I can chase the wife out away from the system, I'll be giving it a listen.