Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: VPI JMW-12 Tone Arms by Mel

I see that a review of this arm has been requested. This arm and its 10 inch cousin have been reviewed in the audio press several times so I'm going to comment mainly on what they have not said. It's a good time to do it because these arms are now selling at such low prices that it seems hard to justify many others that are more expensive, or less and nearly in its price range.

First of all, it's huge. You really aught to see and measure it before committing to it. I have it on an early TNT, and it extends all the way to its extreme right side, beyond the plinth. Not only is the arm long, but the base is far larger than the 10" version. The arm itself extends over most of the near-right post. I had to remove the cover-screw arrangement and replace it with a 1/4" screw. I got one that's black and uses a hex driver, so it looks OK. On the other hand if you want one, I think it can be fitted to more tables than people think for the base is huge and if you're willing to have it extend over the side of your table cantilevered (and if your table can handle the weight) it might work. Bring a ruler.

One of the best things about it is that its so easily adjustable in every parameter. It begs you to fool around and find the right VTA. It's so easy, it's ridiculous. I've done it while a record was playing just to do it, but most of the time I do it when the record's not moving. Another feature of its adjustability that has not been written about is that it's adjustable for effective arm length without removing the base. Reviewers who have complained about the cartridge mounting being either to far forward or backward seem not to have known this. An adjustment easily takes care of it, within limits. Obviously you cannot adjust for a grossly misplaced mounting.

The set-up protractor supplied is not the best IMO. It basically just lets you set overhang, and then it won't work as designed when the arm is low, as when you lower the back of the cartridge. I think you need a good protractor to set overhang, one with a mirror that lets you set the angle of the stylus. That's been written about in the Asylum.

As for the sound, I won't write too much here for much has already been written and I am in the process of upgrading. What I can say is that the arm plays with the kind of security that I used to enjoy only from open reel tapes. Any anxiety about tracking high level passages, or tracking the inner grooves is gone. The word is control. I am now totally relaxed. This seems due to its solidity and its length. One thing that's very noticeable is the increase in separation that I am able to achieve. Also like open reel tapes, there is never any of what I call the hi fi "wispyness" I have heard from some systems and that I have never heard from live music. I have had a BPS and I think some of the high frequency problems with it would be cured by this arm, but I have not yet tried it.

Finally, VPI service after the sale has been especially generous.

REVIEW: VPI JMW-12 Tone Arms Review by Mel at Audio Asylum