Headshells

[Mike - H]

Are they all the same? Are they all interchangeable? I've just bought my first arm with detachable head, a Jelco 750L, I want at least another shell for cart comparing What should I be looking for? I suppose to start with stick with the same as, to give a fair comparison, but after that what are my options.

Cheers

Mike

[DSJR]

The Ortofon/SME style shells are broadly the same geometrically, but obviously differing in mass, construction and the quality of wires used.

The Sumiko shell seems to be a good alternative at just under £40 and the jelco shell can be got separately on fleabay I think. The typical SME shell is judged too light and flimsy for many modern cartridges and of course, the cartridge is held in one place, the overhang being set at the pivot end on SME's. later ones did get more rigid though (the ones where the finger lift is attached to the shell itself rather than being sandwiched between the cartridge and shell-top.

Over this price, there are loads of contenders, some no doubt being genuinely good and others more of a status symbol. Up to you as to which you, your wallet, cartridge and hifi system prefer :)