2020 Editors’ Choice: Tonearms Under $2,000

VPI JMW-9 Signature $1000 Compared to the standard JMW-9, the Signature version offers worthwhile upgrades such as a stainless-steel bearing assembly, Nordost Valhalla wiring, variable fluid-damping, mechanical anti-skate control, and higher effective-mass design. HP praised the Super Scoutmaster Signature package for its “considerable dynamic jump” and “musical authenticity.” Kuzma Stogi S $1550 (w/Cardas copper wire) The Stogi S is a hydraulically-damped unipivot with a simple string-and-weight anti-skating mechanism, dual underslung counterweights, and provisions for making both coarse and fine azimuth adjustments. In our reviewer’s system, this ’arm enabled a Shelter 90X cartridge to produce almost shockingly three-dimensional sound with rock-solid …