Is my headshell wired correctly?.......

[HackneyRF]

.....or am I just a bit dim?

OK so I'm trying to fit this DL110, however the wiring on the headshell is the other way around to the cartridge, i.e. red/white on the headshell is top but bottom on the cartridge and blue/green is bottom on the headshell and top on the cartridge. Also the wires left to right are on the opposite sides on the headshell and cartridge. Any ideas folks?

Cheers

Loz

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r502/lozring/Mobile%20Uploads/20160106_203924.jpg

[struth]

If it was ok b4, then I wouldnt worry about it. its an old headshell/arm combo and they may just be wired that way. I cannot remember .

[HackneyRF]

If it was ok b4, then I wouldnt worry about it. its an old headshell/arm combo and they may just be wired that way. I cannot remember .

Wow, quick response Grant. So reconnect colour matching or position matching?

[struth]

colour match initially. if it doesnt sound right then you'll maybe need to think again. wont do any harm either way

as I say if it was ok with another cart then the wire positions are likely to be ok.

[HackneyRF]

OK thanks. Given the positions of the wires it might be tricky but lets see how it goes.

[walpurgis]

Wiring positions for most headshells.

http://i63.tinypic.com/abgry0.gif

Cartridge pin wire polarity/channel positions are marked on the back of the cartridge, often colour coded.

[walpurgis]

Actually. Looking at images of Thorens headshells things are different. Yours appears to be correct.

http://i67.tinypic.com/24fimxf.jpg

[HackneyRF]

Thanks Geoff

Makes sense. Might need to get ever so slightly longer wires to accommodate. Or maybe not. That's it for another day now. Early rise.

Cheers

Loz

[walpurgis]

Loz. Your headshell wires look like decent Litz type items, maybe Audio Technica or Osawa. I'd keep them if you can.

[HackneyRF]

Actually. Looking at images of Thorens headshells things are different. Yours appears to be correct.

http://i67.tinypic.com/24fimxf.jpg


Think this shows the headshell wiring is the way it's supposed to be.

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/Manual/14.jpg

[HackneyRF]

Loz. Your headshell wires look like decent Litz type items, maybe Audio Technica or Osawa. I'd keep them if you can.

Certainly going to try Geoff.

[walpurgis]

Think this shows the headshell wiring is the way it's supposed to be.

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/Manual/14.jpg

Looks correct to me. Just follow the colour code on the DL-110.

(by the way. If you like the DL-110, keep an eye out for a decent second hand DL-160. They're the model up from the 110. Not available new any more, but sound lovely)

[HackneyRF]

Looks correct to me. Just follow the colour code on the DL-110.

(by the way. If you like the DL-110, keep an eye out for a decent second hand DL-160. They're the model up from the 110. Not available new any more, but sound lovely)

Yes the DL-160 seems to be highly rated by quite a few, so will no doubt give it a go at some point.
So update on this headshell wiring malarkey. The present wiring won't allow the cartridge to position comfortably, it's too short/stiff. Replacements on order. Longer and more flexible apparently.

Cheers

Loz

[HackneyRF]

An update.

Had delivery of some longer Cardas headshell wires. This solved the problems of getting Denon cartridge to sit nicely in the headshell. Fitting the cartridge and setting up alignment was made really straightforward for a Luddite like me by the Geo-Disc. Highly recommended tool I'd say.

First record on was Steel Pulse's 'Handsworth Revolution'. First impressions were very very good indeed. A much fuller, dynamic sound than I had been used to with the modest AT91. But I guess that would be a given! Next on was Max Richter's 'From Sleep' followed by Steely Dan's 'Aja' both sounding superb, even at low level listening after my friend arrived for dinner. I dare say the new plinth has a part to play also. But I reckon this is one of those upgrade routes that is going to be worth every penny and be a real revelation. I'm really looking forward to giving this new set up a decent run at neighbour irritating levels!

It also looks pretty handsome too. Will put a picture or two in the gallery when I get a moment. Thanks for the sound advice from Geoff, Grant etc.

Cheers

Loz

[shane]

Whilst there is a standard wiring pattern for headshells (and yours looks right) there is no standard pin layout for cartridges. I just swapped over my Denon 304 for an Acutex, and the pin layout is a mirror image on the Acutex but both have the top two pins for right and the bottom two for left. I've seen plenty of others (Shure for example) that have the two left channel pins on one side and the right channel pins on the other. Just follow the colour code.