Cartridge/stylus recommendation for a JVC JL A40?
- Thread starter Sobsey
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patient_ot
Super Member
Need more info. What is your budget in dollars? What cartridge is on there now ? - brand and model? Do you have pictures?
Finally, did you download your manual from VinylEngine or elsewhere? If so what is the effective mass of your tonearm?
Finally, did you download your manual from VinylEngine or elsewhere? If so what is the effective mass of your tonearm?
Problem is that manual specs for cartridge say “except US, UK & Canada.” I’ll take pics. I don’t see a tonearm mass figure in the manual unless I’m reading it incorrectly.
The table’s current cartridge is an IMS, which cursory research online suggests has merged with a supplier called Nagatronics, so I presume it’s an old cartridge. Hoping to spend under $100.
The table’s current cartridge is an IMS, which cursory research online suggests has merged with a supplier called Nagatronics, so I presume it’s an old cartridge. Hoping to spend under $100.
Problem is that manual’s specs for cartridge say “except US, UK & Canada.” I’ll take pics. The current cartridge is an IMS, which cursory research online suggests has merged with Nagatronics, so it must be an old cartridge. (I bought the table used, long in storage.)
I’m not great at reading tech manuals, but the one for this table doesn’t seem to have tonearm mass listed, unless I’m missing it.
I’m not great at reading tech manuals, but the one for this table doesn’t seem to have tonearm mass listed, unless I’m missing it.
patient_ot
Super Member
I just checked the manual. Your arm mass is 21.5 grams including the stock headshell. This is almost the exact same as the mass on my JVC QL-F4. From pics the arm looks almost identical as well.
From experience, I'm going to tell you to choose a cart that is lower to mid compliance. Some of the higher compliance cartridges may not work that well on this table. You'll probably get overly wooly bass if you do go that route.
Additionally, be careful with aftermarket headshells on the turntable. JVC overhang is 48mm which is a little further back in the slots than Technics. Unfortunately the slots on some headshells are not long enough for proper JVC overhang. So check that before you use any aftermarket headshell on this turntable. Some types with tapped holes on the underside may work well depending on the range of adjustment and the cart you are using.
In the $100 range I liked the Vessel A3SE and it seemed to be a good match for the arm with a stiff enough suspension. The Sumiko Pearl is based on a similar design (both based on the Excel ES-70 of old) and would probably work quite fine also.
If you can find a decent aftermarket stylus for the cart you already have that might be the cheapest route to get things up and running. But we need more info for that.
From experience, I'm going to tell you to choose a cart that is lower to mid compliance. Some of the higher compliance cartridges may not work that well on this table. You'll probably get overly wooly bass if you do go that route.
Additionally, be careful with aftermarket headshells on the turntable. JVC overhang is 48mm which is a little further back in the slots than Technics. Unfortunately the slots on some headshells are not long enough for proper JVC overhang. So check that before you use any aftermarket headshell on this turntable. Some types with tapped holes on the underside may work well depending on the range of adjustment and the cart you are using.
In the $100 range I liked the Vessel A3SE and it seemed to be a good match for the arm with a stiff enough suspension. The Sumiko Pearl is based on a similar design (both based on the Excel ES-70 of old) and would probably work quite fine also.
If you can find a decent aftermarket stylus for the cart you already have that might be the cheapest route to get things up and running. But we need more info for that.
Many thanks for all this! I’ll see if I can’t upgrade the stylus and take that approach to improving performance.