View Full Version : Cartridge Shims wanted
Does anyone know if there’s a UK manufacturer/supplier of cartridge shims for adjustment of VTA for arms with no height adjustment, there are some on ebay from a US seller but the price plus postage is rather excessive.
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sq225917
24-10-2018, 11:55
How tall do you need?
I think he means how thick :)
How tall do you need?
Could probably do with a couple probably 1.0 & 1.5mm.
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montesquieu
24-10-2018, 12:33
What's the arm? If it's Rega, J7 at Audio origami does a pack for pretty cheap.
What's the arm? If it's Rega, J7 at Audio origami does a pack for pretty cheap.
No it’s not a Rega, it’s not arm base shims that I need but shims to go between the headshell and cartridge as the arm is sloping downwards from pivot to headshell.
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Stryder5
24-10-2018, 13:35
Use guitar picks and make your own, available in packs of varying thickness.
I've used them in the past, don't forget to adjust tracking weight.
montesquieu
24-10-2018, 14:09
No it’s not a Rega, it’s not arm base shims that I need but shims to go between the headshell and cartridge as the arm is sloping downwards from pivot to headshell.
Gotcha. I have a collection of these of various shapes, thicknesses and weight.
Might seem like a lot of money for what they are but I've had good results with these - variable thicknesses available. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ebony-Headshell-Damper-HD1-5-HD2-0-Mpingo-Spacer-African-blackwood-clubWOOD/190428266082?hash=item2c5668be62:g:dQYAAOSwdnZZ~xW g:rk:57:pf:0
If you also need to add weight the Technics 3g ones are a no-brainer, dead cheap and quite well made https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-SL1200-SL1210-Headshell-Weight-Spacer-3-gram-SFPZB3501-NEW-GENUINE/112816774302?epid=2255991030&hash=item1a44675c9e:g:0ukAAOSwX95ahWFa:rk:2:pf:0
Speedysteve here will make you one to your precise specifications (he's done that for me) but a one-off handmade one won't be cheap.
Use guitar picks and make your own, available in packs of varying thickness.
I've used them in the past, don't forget to adjust tracking weight.
I've done that in the past myself but I'd be surprised if you can get 3mm thick plectrums, I've just stuck a 3mm thick cork mat underneath the standard rubber mat and by my best "by eye" estimate the arm is now parallel with the cartridge tracking the record, so it looks like I'd need a 3mm shim if I want to use the standard mat on its own. Getting the arm parallel has certainly made the sound a little cleaner and crisper in the treble which is nice, possibly a little more taut in the bass as well so all good.
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montesquieu
24-10-2018, 14:31
I've done that in the past myself but I'd be surprised if you can get 3mm thick plectrums, I've just stuck a 3mm thick cork mat underneath the standard rubber mat and by my best "by eye" estimate the arm is now parallel with the cartridge tracking the record, so it looks like I'd need a 3mm shim if I want to use the standard mat on its own. Getting the arm parallel has certainly made the sound a little cleaner and crisper in the treble which is nice, possibly a little more taut in the bass as well so all good.
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If you need a full 3mm try one of these (assuming you can balance out the extra 3g). Obviously you don't need to use the glue ... I just measured my one and it's exactly 3mm.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IsoKinetik-Cartridge-Stabiliser-3-Gram/292131453803?epid=1361239181&hash=item4404643b6b:g:z7IAAOSw-a1bI~gK:rk:1:pf:0
If you need a full 3mm try one of these (assuming you can balance out the extra 3g). Obviously you don't need to use the glue ... I just measured my one and it's exactly 3mm.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IsoKinetik-Cartridge-Stabiliser-3-Gram/292131453803?epid=1361239181&hash=item4404643b6b:g:z7IAAOSw-a1bI~gK:rk:1:pf:0
I think I may go for the Technics spacer, certainly it's a no brainier on price grounds although they don't state the thickness.
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montesquieu
24-10-2018, 14:48
Just looking at them now, I put two Technics ones together and it's still slightly short of the 3mm thickness of the Isokinetik 3g spacer (while being double the weight)
https://i.imgur.com/0themLw.jpg
What's the arm? If it's Rega, J7 at Audio origami does a pack for pretty cheap.
Emailed J7 at Audio Origami, he’s going to check out doing a custom 3mm one for me.
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This look like it could be a good bet, perhaps a bit pricey.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Universal-Headshell-Damper-Spacer-Weight-Tonabnehmer-Cartridge-Cocobolo-Wood-/263960897403
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This look like it could be a good bet, perhaps a bit pricey.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Universal-Headshell-Damper-Spacer-Weight-Tonabnehmer-Cartridge-Cocobolo-Wood-/263960897403
I have one, but mine is made of carbon fibre. Not sure of the thickness: maybe 2.5 - 3.0mm.
I have one, but mine is made of carbon fibre. Not sure of the thickness: maybe 2.5 - 3.0mm.
Did you get it from the same German supplier or was it somewhere else ?
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Did you get it from the same German supplier or was it somewhere else ?
Quite possibly - it was a good while ago, so I don't remember. Definitely bought it on eBay though.
Looks like I’m sorted courtesy of J7 at Audio Origami.
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My set of headshell shims arrived from John at Audio Origami earlier today and the 3mm shim is now fitted on my ATLP5. The shims are excellent and very easy to align as they are exactly the same width as the headshell, should now get the full performance from my AT95EX.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181029/b2b60edafc0bf44d87b29b45156ac902.jpg
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