Wanted - Audio Technica AT-LH18 headshell

[RobsterD]

Hi
As I'm going down the full Denon route with A23 SUT,thought I'd try a heavier headshell than the standard one on my SME.
Anyone got one of these lying around could p/x with an AT-LS12,anything suitable would also be considered :)
Cheers
Rob

[DSJR]

I appreciate you want a bargain, but new ones are on fleabay from time to time :)

[Marco]

Hi Rob,

Don't go for an LH-18, mate. I've been there and done that.

It's a superb quality headshell, but the problem is the 'bulky bit' at the back, where the azimuth adjustment is, sits too low down, and when a record is playing, almost touches the surface when correct VTA has been achieved, as the 103 is such a low-bodied cartridge, so usually the arm needs to be lowered down to almost the maximum point possible.

What happens is that with records which are slightly (or badly) warped, the 'bulky bit' at the back of the headshell ends up rubbing against the surface of the record, and in the worst cases, causes the stylus to jump as the headshell hits the record surface.....!

Do you understand what I mean? :)

So, avoid an LH-18 and go for an Ortofon LH-9000 instead:


http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2188/ortofonlh9000a.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/i/ortofonlh9000a.jpg/)


Buy here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Ortofon-Headshell-LH-9000-LH9000-SME-NEW-/400109350790


That's what I use with my stock DL-103. It weighs 17.5g, which is spot-on ideal for the 103, mass-wise, and IMO it's even better, sonically, than the LH-18, due to it virtually eliminating resonance. It also comes fitted with Ortofon's superb 8N solid copper cartridge leads, which I also use:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3882/accesoriesheadshellcabl.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/accesoriesheadshellcabl.jpg/)

.... And it doesn't have that troublesome 'bulky bit' at the back.


Get one of those, along with your A23, and you'll be totally sorted! :cool:

Marco.

[RobsterD]

Cheers Marco,yep know what you mean the SME has a grub screw on its bottom also that sometimes gets perilously close to the record surface.
Thanks for the heads up :cool:
Rob

[Marco]

No problem, dude. That's what we're here for: to benefit from each other's experiences :)

Marco.