Help with determining my tonearm mass

[GeorgeO]

Hi -
I'm new to this great forum, where it seems that there are a lot of very knowledgeable Technics owners! Hope you can help with some info and suggestions.

I'm the original owner of a Technics SL-1100A with the stock EPA-110 tonearm. Photo attached. I'm just pulling the unit back into service. Up til now I've used MM carts such as my vintage Shure V15 VMR, but after hearing an MC cart on a friend's system, now I've got the low output MC bug.

I've located service manuals and brochures for the SL-1100A on Vinyl Engine, but I can't seem to find any info on the specs of the EPA-110 arm to be able to determine mass and compliance matching.

I'm intrigued by the DL-103R and would use it with a Bob's Devices step-up.

Has anyone had experience with this cart on this arm, and/or does anyone have any specs on this tonearm? I don't have much experience with this at all so I have no idea if it's a low/med/or high mass arm.

Any ideas/suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[Gdg]

Hi George,
I read the EPA 110 is rated as medium mass tonearm (10 to 15 or so), so the DL103R is a very good companion.

HTH

[GeorgeO]

Thanks for the info! I'm excited about trying a DL-103R.

I understand a heavier headshell would be advisable with a DL-103 series. I've just purchased an LP Gear Zupreme headshell which weighs in at 12grams.

Can you recommend what amount of weight I should add to get the best results from the 103r on my tonearm?

Thanks
GeorgeO

[goraman]

The new Grado gold would be a good match with that arm.I think the MC carts are alot of bother for not much in return.
My table came with a Goldring Erocha H high output MC and it was a lazy boreing cart the much less expencive Grado red on my old table blew it away so I thought the new far better table and arm was a huge step backward and haveing sold my old table and Grado I was stuck,so I ordered a Grado gold and later I upgraded my phono stage and felt that a well made MM phono stage and cart is all you need and the Grado needles can be replaced if a accedent happens insted of replaceing a $600.00 cart and haveing to remount and guage a new set up,you just slide out the old styles and slide in the new one in less than one min. your spinning agein.
The old Sure V15 is a nice sounding cart I had one on my old Bic TT and it lasted for 20 years before I had to replace the styles.
It dosent have the sparkle in the top end or the dynamics in the mids of the Grado Gold though. The Audion Silvernight phono stage was a fantastic upgrade as well.