JMW 3d printer arm

Petro85

Petro85

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was reading about this today. very interesting. im my time with vpi tables ive run , jmw 9t, 9s, 10, 10.5, 12.5, and classic arms and ive had a few extra armtubes . the most expensive was about $1200 for an extra armtube for the 12.5 arm on my tnt4. this armtube is $2500, yikes!!! can get an entire really nice tonearm for that. but it is pretty cool technology, id wonder how it was sound wise as compared to the regular s/s and alum arms. they have the counterweight suggestions for lyra cartridges below. not sure youd be able to run a heavy benz lp-s with this, but probably the aluminum lp would be ok.
yes that was a hint for you vpi owners!!! someone here needs to get one of these and test it out for us!!! :snicker:

VPI – JMW-3D
The VPI JMW 3-D
The arm looks like a traditional VPI Unipivot arm, except it's made in a 3D printer. The material is basically epoxy, which forms a rigid, lightweight, structure with good insulation properties. Epoxy is non-crystalline which impedes the transfer of vibration, so it’s the perfect material for tone arms. The shape of the tone arm shaft also adds rigidity to the structure and further prevents the transmission of surface vibrations. The result is a low resonance lightweight tone arm.
This tonearm is backwards compatible and will fit on all past and current VPI Turntables. It will be printed in 10 and 12 inch.
JMW 3D compatibility as of May 5/16/13:
Classic 1
Classic 2
Classic 3
Classic 4 (secondary arm only)
Counterweight Suggestions for the JMW 3D 10"
For Titan, Etna and Atlas the 180gm is ideal!
For the Delos and Kleos 160gm is the one.
For the lightweight Skala, 120gm is ideal
 

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I was at the VPI factory this past summer when they demonstrated the new arm. Same TT used for both old and new arms. Each set up with the same Ortofon cartridge. All they did was pull off the old arm, place the new one on the pivot and plug it in (then go back to the old arm again same way).

The differences we all heard were not subtle. The new arm was gads better in every way. I've always considered the JMW arms to be the weakest point (although still good) on the VPI tables, but this new arm shoudl certainly rectify that impression. Would love to see how someone like Fremer likes it compared to the competition at its new price point (Kuzma, Triplaner, etc.)
 
BobM said:
I was at the VPI factory this past summer when they demonstrated the new arm. Same TT used for both old and new arms. Each set up with the same Ortofon cartridge. All they did was pull off the old arm, place the new one on the pivot and plug it in (then go back to the old arm again same way).

The differences we all heard were not subtle. The new arm was gads better in every way. I've always considered the JMW arms to be the weakest point (although still good) on the VPI tables, but this new arm shoudl certainly rectify that impression. Would love to see how someone like Fremer likes it compared to the competition at its new price point (Kuzma, Triplaner, etc.)
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Vpi is very close to my house. In years past I was there a few times. All the upgrades I've done over the years was because I can drive there and trade stuff in. But I realized I was paying full retail from them . It was ok because it was just easy to do.
I agree with your thoughts on the jmw arm. Best vpi I ever heard was a HRX with a graham arm on it(lyra Titan ). I'm glad you think the printer arm is better, but it's also lighter so I'm thinking about, jmw's inability to run certain cartridges , is still there even with counterweights.
I really wish I bought a 3d arm to try it out before I sold off my last vpi. Just out of curiosity.
Thx for your thoughts.
 
Petro....I ran an LPS with my 3D arm....Harry made me a heavier than stock counterweight.....the result was superb
 
My 3D arm on my Aries 3 (1 yr old) developed a droop/sag on the CtWt stub. My cartridge is an Ortofon Cadenza Black @ 10.7g so I had to use a heavy counterweight. VPI will be sending me a newly design 3D arm that has copper added for rigidity. There have been reports of these arm twisting at the headshell when exposed to heat but will be warranted if any issues apply. VPI CS is top-notched and Mat and Harry stand behind their products.

kevin
 
I just bought a Prime with the 10" 3D print arm. I am no reference what comes to analogue, but I must say I find it superb. I am using it with an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and the counterweight in by no means maxed out, plenty of room to play with.


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My counterweight is not maxed out. It sits near the collar and not at the end. I am also using the SS Counterintuitive which adds wt to the already heavy counterweight. At 10.7 g the Ortofon Cadenza Black required the larger wt. to keep from running the CtWt to the end of the stub.
 

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I had my Benz LPS and Winfield in both the 10.5 and the 3D arms. They are both really great arms...but both require very careful setup. If done correctly there are few arms that can reach their ability. The metal arm sounds more hi-fi, whereas the 3D is really the more natural sounding. The 3D is more precise..better imaging, better dynamics,...better overall...worth the extra money. They both accept a wide range of cartridges. (I don't use anti-skate and find the sound better).
 
miner42 said:
My 3D arm on my Aries 3 (1 yr old) developed a droop/sag on the CtWt stub. My cartridge is an Ortofon Cadenza Black @ 10.7g so I had to use a heavy counterweight. VPI will be sending me a newly design 3D arm that has copper added for rigidity. There have been reports of these arm twisting at the headshell when exposed to heat but will be warranted if any issues apply. VPI CS is top-notched and Mat and Harry stand behind their products.

kevin
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Keven....call VPI - they'll send you a new arm. The early 3D's were prone to heat stroke. The new ones are built stronger.
 
I have my 3D balanced wired with the newer Discovery wire.....has anyone heard the very new Nordost wire and can compare?? Thanks
 
My 12 3d arm had droop/sag issue and vpi offered to replace it. So I decided to upgrade to the 3D-R arm and also replaced my junction box with a balanced ref wire one at the same time. Im very pleased with the results.
 
Here's my 3d arm :mad:. Thanks FedEx.


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It is a great arm. I can only recommend to get the double pivot as well, in case it does not already come as a standard. It improves stability of the arm quite nicely.


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Moby,
Was you are purchased from VPI? If not, reach out to them and ask about a replacement after you file your FedEx claim.
 
miner42 said:
Moby,
Was you are purchased from VPI? If not, reach out to them and ask about a replacement after you file your FedEx claim.
Click to expand...
I’ve filed the claim with FedEx and am waiting for a response. The arm was damaged when I sent it to a vendor as part of my trade in of my Classic 3. I didn’t care for this arm, so it will not be missed, but this is a pain in the rear. It was packed meticulously in the VPI packing materials, plus some additional protection, and double boxed. It’s amazing to me that it was so roughly treated by FedEx that if got broken in two.
 
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