Old vpi jmw9 tonearm, Nordost vs standard internal wiring

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Dafox, Jan 2, 2023.

  1. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    What is the difference in sound between the standard wiring and the Nordost wiring?
     
  2. John Moschella

    John Moschella Senior Member

    Location:
    Christiansburg, VA
    This is where not having the VPI forum archives to consult is actually tragic. So much information just vanishes. Anyway ...

    Mostly the Nordost costs more.
    Remembering posts on the VPI forum, there are many users that prefer the Discovery wiring (that is the lower cost) including Harry. I think the consensus is that the Nordost is somewhat brighter. I have no first hand experience having only heard the Discovery.
     
  3. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Thank you, that's what I guessed would be the case.
     
  4. Spin 12

    Spin 12 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Salina, KS
    For maximum performance of your armwand, make sure the output junction box is wired with the same stuff!

    Steve Leung @ VAS can hook you up.
     
    hi_watt, Dafox, macster and 1 other person like this.
  5. slovell

    slovell Retired Mudshark

    Location:
    Chesnee, SC, USA
    I had Steve rewire mine with his four twisted pairs including the junction box. Sounds great.
     
    Dafox likes this.
  6. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    @Spin 12
    @slovell

    Thanks guys, I might actually prefer the original wire over the Nordost, what does Steve use?
     
  7. Spin 12

    Spin 12 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Salina, KS
    Copper, not Nordost. It may very well be Discovery.
     
    Dafox likes this.
  8. slovell

    slovell Retired Mudshark

    Location:
    Chesnee, SC, USA
    I can't remember what wire he used on mine but it was high quality. He biwired everything using two twisted wires for each input including the junction box. I could hear an improvement when I put everything back in service. To my old ears everything sounded smoother with a bit more detail, bass was tighter, highs had more sparkle. He's a great guy to deal with and doesn't drag his feet getting it done. I shipped mine on a Monday via Priority Mail and got it back the following Monday. Shoot him an email, he'll answer promptly.
     
    Dafox likes this.
  9. AnalogJ

    AnalogJ Hearing In Stereo Since 1959

    Location:
    Salem, MA
    I had both in my system to try. The standard wiring in my original arm is Discovery. It's warm and fairly rich. The Nordost wiring I tried in a second arm was VERY lean sounding. It sounded quick and soundstaged like nobody's business, but images felt relatively hollow and lacked weight. I didn't like it. If the rest of your system is a little dark, though, you might like it.
     
    hi_watt likes this.
  10. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Thanks, exactly what I wanted to find out.
    Know where I can find an original arm with discovery wire?
     
  11. Ken E.

    Ken E. Senior Member

    I have the Discovery and have never considered changing in 15 years.
     
  12. AnalogJ

    AnalogJ Hearing In Stereo Since 1959

    Location:
    Salem, MA
    I'd contact Harry or Mat Weisfeld directly at VPI. They're both fairly easy to reach, and like to chat.

    Where do you live?
     
    Dafox likes this.
  13. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Thanks, Colorado
     
  14. AnalogJ

    AnalogJ Hearing In Stereo Since 1959

    Location:
    Salem, MA
    Let me know how you make out.
     
  15. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Will do.
     
  16. Tullman

    Tullman Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston MA
    VPI chose Discovery over Nordost. Nordost came back with their latest reference wire. VPI decided to go with the latest Nordost over the Discovery wire. I’m using the latest Nordost wiring in my Avenger TT 3D arm, with Hyperion cart, Vahalla 2 phono cable. Lean my ***.
     
    MGW, hi_watt and Dafox like this.
  17. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    I imagine my version of the Nordost wiring must be the original, didn't know there was an updated version.
     
  18. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Had my tonearm and junction box rewired with Discovery wire by Ray Leung at Vinyl Audio Science, he did a great job and quickly, great customer service. I found the Original Nordost wire, the silver plated one, to be bright and thin, the Discovery wire to be warmer and fuller.
     
  19. John Moschella

    John Moschella Senior Member

    Location:
    Christiansburg, VA
    That is consistent with everything I remember from the VPI forum.
     
  20. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Thanks for the feedback, I see you have a VPI and a number of Benz carts, I will probably look at those someday if I go down the mc path.
     
  21. John Moschella

    John Moschella Senior Member

    Location:
    Christiansburg, VA
    Benz carts do work well with Linn arms except for the (too heavy) LPS. The Benz Wood is the sweet spot for this table/arm IMO.
     
  22. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    I have a VPI.
     
  23. John Moschella

    John Moschella Senior Member

    Location:
    Christiansburg, VA
    My bad.
     
  24. Dafox

    Dafox Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Have you tried the Benz on the VPI?
     
  25. John Moschella

    John Moschella Senior Member

    Location:
    Christiansburg, VA
    Yes. Wood, RubyZ and LPS. For the last year I've been playing the VPI. For the LPS you need the big counterweight, but they all work well.
     

Share This Page

molar-endocrine