what makes a good headshell?

[YNWaN]

SME haven't abandoned it it's currently used on several of their arms.

Where's the evidence that the sound is compromised? Some of the best arms in the world have a removable headshell. (And some of them don't).

Your opinion has no evidence behind it.

If you look at the SME range, those aimed at highest performance either have a fixed headshell or a much more mechanically inert design. Look, you clearly want to believe a different point of view so I won't waste further time. My opinion has plenty of evidence behind it in the sense that adding a mechanical joint at the headshell impacts upon the transference of vibration - how much you consider this an issue is up to you but don't pretend it doesn't exist!

[Beobloke]

I think the most important thing to consider regarding a headshell, is whether it looks nice or not.

[RobbieGong]

I think the most important thing to consider regarding a headshell, is whether it looks nice or not.

[montesquieu]

If you look at the SME range, those aimed at highest performance either have a fixed headshell or a much more mechanically inert design. Look, you clearly want to believe a different point of view so I won't waste further time. My opinion has plenty of evidence behind it in the sense that adding a mechanical joint at the headshell impacts upon the transference of vibration - how much you consider this an issue is up to you but don't pretend it doesn't exist!

Highest performance? I'd take either of my Ikedas or my AT-1503 over an SME V any day of the week. Likewise something like a Glanz.

Can you point to the evidence please if there's plenty of it. All I've read so far is opinion.

Its not the headshell being attached or one piece arm/headshell that matters. It's the damping properties, bearings and tonearm wire connections that matter. Get that right and your laughing. Soldered or pressure connection, hasn't made a blind bit of difference in my system. The arms limitations have been the biggest factor.

Quite.

[walpurgis]

The pros and cons of removable headshells and fixed examples and one piece arms were researched. I remember the mags delving into this many years ago. No doubt the data is out there if anybody is interested enough (I'm not).

The usual SME/Universal headshell is retained by what is basically a spigot and socket arrangement. This is a reasonable compromise, but that does not alter the fact that this is exactly what it is. A compromise! There are better ways of doing things.

[Barry]

The pros and cons of removable headshells and fixed examples and one piece arms were researched. I remember the mags delving into this many years ago. No doubt the data is out there if anybody is interested enough (I'm not).

The usual SME/Universal headshell is retained by what is basically a spigot and socket arrangement. This is a reasonable compromise, but that does not alter the fact that this is exactly what it is. A compromise! There are better ways of doing things.

The spigoted helical draw-socket arrangement use on the great majority of detachable headshell pick up arms was developed by Ortofon, but is erroneously referred to as the SME design, is due to the adoption of the arrangement by SME (ARA designed the arm for his own use with Ortofon cartridges, which at that time were only available fitted into either the type A or type G headshells), and owing to the subsequent popularity of the arms this misconception continued.

What better ways are there? Is the Lenco headshell coupling any better, or do you think those arms employing a detachable arm wand, where the coupling is located near the bearings are significantly better?

[walpurgis]

But if the term Ortofon type headshell is used, most people would no doubt draw a blank. Say SME type and most will know what is meant. It's simply Hi-Fi speak common usage these days.

The ideal would be an integrated arm and cartridge (it has been done), but that would mean returning the whole thing to the manufacturer or agent for refurbishmment.

[Barry]

I think the correct nomenclature is the EIA headshell coupling.

So an integrated arm and cartridge? I think one would have to go back to the early '50s to see that; with the Farranti ribbon pick up, or maybe the Leak moving coil design.

Certainly the early manufacturers of pick up cartridges (Shure, Miniconic, B&O, EMI and Decca) made their own arms, presumably to optimise the whole assembly, with the consequence that the cartridges could only be used with the respective arms.

I'm not sure when the universal 1/2" spacing of the cartridge fixing points was introduced or by whom, but I suspect it was either Shure or Elac.

[anubisgrau]

seriously guys, what kind of talk is this? a good shell for 1 pickup may be crap for another. some pickups like heavy ones, hard coupling, rigidity, other completely opposite things. not everyone use heavy MC pickups that call for big mass, hard coupling. if this would be a main criteria, a stuff like vintage SME/shure shells would never happen.