Calculating mass/resonance figures for Zu Denon 103

[mikeyb]

I've just received my Zu back from repair at Zu in Utah and was setting it up again and thought I'd try and get it right this time by using a calculator to work out the correct mass that the cartridge should have in relation to my Mission 774 arm.

Standard figures are:

Cartridge weight 14g
Arm effective mass 5.5g
Cartridge Compliance is 5 cu (5 x 10 –6 cm / dyne)

Now I've bodged up extra weight on the cartridge AND the counterweight and it sounds pretty good, so it must be right, right

I used a figure I worked out using a formula I found on the net, but I'm wondering if someone can tell me what THEY think the weight of the cartridge should be to get the figure to fall within the 8-12hz range that's supposed to be ideal.

I'll then know if my calculation is correct lol.

I'm not telling you what I have it at in case I'm found to be a complete numpty

PS: Photos to follow once I'm proven wrong lol

[karma67]

a lot i would have thought!
have you looked here?
http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge...&submit=Submit

[mikeyb]

a lot i would have thought!
have you looked here?
http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge...&submit=Submit

Lol funnily enough I have it set at a 'lot' just now, I weighed it and just wondered if I'd calculated correctly.

I tried looking at the vinylengine version but it just confused me, ( actually that's not true, it's the Denon compliance figures that confuses me with the 10hz 100hz thing ) I found a formula to try and that's what I used.

Although I think I still need to add a few grams yet to be 100%

[karma67]

lol thats why i posted the same thread a while back for my cartridge,all that dyne bollocks goes right over my head!
my thread is here, http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...ance-frequency

if you have no luck shoot the members who helped me a pm

[helma]

I have no idea what the actual compliance @*10Hz is for the DL-103 and I've never owned one, but my guess is it'll be somewhere around 10, say 8-12. Assuming that, the minimum would probably be around 15-20g (tonearm/headshell + cartridge combined) and you could go as high as 40g or even more, depending what the compliance actually is.

Some cartridges / combos might prefer the res. freq on the low (or high) side for best sound quality, and perhaps the DL-103 is one of those judging from all the comments it needs some mass to shine.

[mikeyb]

I have no idea what the actual compliance @*10Hz is for the DL-103 and I've never owned one, but my guess is it'll be somewhere around 10, say 8-12. Assuming that, the minimum would probably be around 15-20g (tonearm/headshell + cartridge combined) and you could go as high as 40g or even more, depending what the compliance actually is.

Some cartridges / combos might prefer the res. freq on the low (or high) side for best sound quality, and perhaps the DL-103 is one of those judging from all the comments it needs some mass to shine.

I think I read somewhere that you multiply the 5 by 1.8 which gives 9 so that might be right enough.

[petrat]

Ask Barry

.... which could become my standard response to a lot of questions on this forum

[mikeyb]

Ask Barry

.... which could become my standard response to a lot of questions on this forum

Could make it a Stickie lol

"Ask Barry"

[mac72]

Assuming 9cu is correct to fall within 8-12Hz total weight of arm, headshell and cartridge is in range 19.5-44 gram , so there is massive room to play with .
103 loves high mass arms I would try to be well above 30g.

[mikeyb]

Assuming 9cu is correct to fall within 8-12Hz total weight of arm, headshell and cartridge is in range 19.5-44 gram , so there is massive room to play with .
103 loves high mass arms I would try to be well above 30g.

mmmmmmm interesting 😉