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I have a new PMAC AT1010 and I am looking for a headshell for a second cartridge, an AT 0C9ii.
Any recommendations?
Ideally, it will have the ability to adjust azimuth and effective length.
Budget please? Otherwise, I'll go all 'high-end' on ya!;)
Marco.
Budget please? Otherwise, I'll go all 'high-end' on ya!;)
Marco.Give me a few recommendations at 50, 100 or more.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
TBH, Geoff, with a cartridge like that (and its somewhat fussy 'posh stylus'), I wouldn't be using anything less than this, the 'daddy' of all detachable headshells, and with infinitesimal amounts of adjustment: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Orsonic-AV-101B-Anti-Vibration-Universal-Headshell-Japan-/273379675926
I reckon it'd look pretty cool too, on the end of your arm:cool:
Marco.
vinylspinner
01-11-2020, 20:13
Hi Geoff,
Your inbox is full.
Nigel
Despite appearances the overhang adjustment range of the Orsonic headshell is no greater than other designs. IMO the Audio Technica AT-LH13H (the number denotes the mass; 15g and 18g versions are available) is all you need in a headshell, for a not exorbitant amount.
https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/media/audio-technica/headshells/at-lh13h/at-lh13h_l_1-large.jpg
vinylspinner
01-11-2020, 20:51
Despite appearances the overhang adjustment range of the Orsonic headshell is no greater than other designs. IMO the Audio Technica AT-LH13H (the number denotes the mass; 15g and 18g versions are available) is all you need in a headshell, for a not exorbitant amount.
https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/media/audio-technica/headshells/at-lh13h/at-lh13h_l_1-large.jpg
Yes, I agree with Barry. I have two of these and have offered one of them to Geoff.
Nigel
Wakefield Turntables
01-11-2020, 20:59
Yes the Orsonic is expensive but look what it does https://korfaudio.com/blog51 have a read.
What is the point of assessing and measuring the rigidity of an empty headshell?
Because when 'filled', it'll impart the benefits of that rigidity on the partnering cartridge, no?;)
Agree that the AT is a nice headshell:)
Marco.
Geoff, if you like Barry's suggestion of the AT shell, if you're interested I could be tempted to part with my (mint and boxed as new) AT-Ti15ANV. which is granddaddy of all AT headshells, made of solid titanium, and very beautifully engineered:
https://www.audiophile.com/products/audio-technica-at-ti15anv-machined-pure-titanium-limited-edition-headshell
It's a truly gorgeous thing, with provision for azimuth and also overhang, as the barrel of the bayonet fitting can be moved back and forth within the headshell itself, as seen on the second pic above [which can be enlarged]. They're as rare as hen's teeth now, due to the limited run.
Of course, I wouldn't be wanting anything like that price for it!:nono:
I'd do you a good deal. PM me if you're interested:)
Marco.
Hi Geoff,
Your inbox is full.
NigelCleared
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
The Orsonic is likely too heavy for the Counterweight of an AT1010. Not sure the variation in arms as I've haven't seen a PM(AT-1010) Designated arm?
Also, not all versions have the Azimuth although I believe the linked one does have.
You are likely to find a good match using the Audio Technica Magnesium headshell, with damping strip. It was issued with the arm original I think.
All sorted, thanks. I shall report back.
Because when 'filled', it'll impart the benefits of that rigidity on the partnering cartridge, no?;)
Agree that the AT is a nice headshell:)
Marco.
No it won't, because attaching a cartridge to headshell turns it into a completely different structure with its own set of resonances
Indeed, but surely it's still better to attach it to a more rigid, less resonant one, than the opposite? Otherwise, why would high-quality aftermarket headshells, all addressing the issue of rigidity and resonance, have been invented?
And if it made no difference, we'd all just be strapping our cartridges to any old shit headshell... No, all I can say, from VAST experience of using numerous such aftermarket headshells, is that they unquestionably effect a *considerable* improvement on the sound of the partnering cartridge - and for many different reasons, if nothing else certainly from the addition of mass.
Marco.
Lightweight headshells are used with high compliance cartridges, which because of that do not pass a lot of energy into the cartridge/headshell/arm.
Low compliance cartridges need to be used with arms of higher effective mass, and most of this mass is provides by a heavy, thick headshell, which will be more rigid and more capable of passing on the excess mechanical energy to be damped in the headshell/arm and mass of the turntable.
Of course, but that doesn't irrefutably negate the potential sonic benefits of fixing ANY cartridge, low or high compliance, to an intrinsically more rigid and less resonant headshell. I've certainly heard the benefits of such on numerous occasions.
So why did you buy your vintage Fidelity Research ones - just because you liked the look of them?:ner:;)
Yes, their high-mass will benefit your low-compliance cartridges, such as the Denon DL-103, but I'd contend also because their construction is more rigid and less resonant than something flimsier, such as for example the stock detachable headshell, on a non-fixed headshell SME 3009.
The only thing that's fit for is a Shure V-15!
Marco.
Of course, but that doesn't irrefutably negate the potential sonic benefits of fixing ANY cartridge, low or high compliance, to an intrinsically more rigid and less resonant headshell. I've certainly heard the benefits of such on numerous occasions.
I don't agree - fitting a high compliance cartridge into a rigid but heavy headshell negatively affects the bass response of the cartridge.
So why did you buy your vintage Fidelity Research ones - just because you liked the look of them?:ner:;)
No it was to use with low compliance cartridges such as the Denon 103, otherwise I would have to mess about with lead shims/weights. They do look good however. :)
Yes, their high-mass will benefit your low-compliance cartridges, such as the Denon DL-103, but I'd contend also because their construction is more rigid and less resonant than something flimsier, such as for example the stock detachable headshell, on a non-fixed headshell SME 3009.
The only thing that's fit for is a Shure V-15!
Not true - it is 'fit' for any cartridge with a compliance of 15cu or more, such as: ADCs; AKGs; B&Os; Ortofon SL15s and S15-Ts, and Shure M55Es.
I don't agree - fitting a high compliance cartridge into a rigid but heavy headshell negatively affects the bass response of the cartridge.
Yes I agree, but that's not what I meant. You can still have a rigidly constructed, low-resonance/properly damped, headshell, but which isn't high-mass.
I have 10g headshells that qualify as such in my collection, such as the AT-MG10. What makes them such is their construction from solid magnesium, as opposed to the aluminum, or whatever, of most other detachable headshells.
Magnesium has excellent damping properties, so when you tap the shell, it's dead. It does not 'ring', in the way of the flimsy SME.
No it was to use with low compliance cartridges such as the Denon 103, otherwise I would have to mess about with lead shims/weights. They do look good however. :)
Yes, but my point was that your FR headshell is not only high-mass, but also low-resonance, due to the materials used in its construction, and so you're also getting the benefit of that.
Not true - it is 'fit' for any cartridge with a compliance of 15cu or more, such as: ADCs; AKGs; B&Os; Ortofon SL15s and S15-Ts, and Shure M55Es.
I was being somewhat flippant, but yes, any high (or high-ish) compliance cartridge, although I'd disagree about it sonically optimising an M55E, as I found with mine that it likes a bit of mass, certainly when fitted with a NOS conical stylus.
My main point though was that the SME headshell itself is rather flimsily constructed and resonant, and for those reasons, it will not allow even high-compliance cartridges to perform at their absolute best.
Try it sometime, if you've got an AT-MG10 headshell (or if not get one, as they're fairly inexpensive), and fit any of the cartridges you've mentioned above to it, on your 3009, and also on the stock detachable shell, and I *bet* you that most, if not all, will sound better when mounted on the AT!;)
Marco.
Hi Marco,
On another thread I posted a question regarding the use of either an Ikeda IS-2W [16g] or a FR-S/5 [18g] headshell with my 3009 S2 non-improved and my new DENON DL-103R.
Barry did the math and said that I will struggle with counterbalancing (even if you use the lack of counterbalance to provide the VTF). He also mentioned that you have a lot of experience with Denon cartridges.
There are many vintage headshells available on eBay. What's your recommendation?
Cheers,
Horacio
Hi Horacio,
IME, the optimum level of headshell mass for ANY DL-103, short of certain special editions, is 16 to 16.5g, unless the cartridge itself has been re-bodied into a heavier shell, in which case different rules apply.
FR headshells are good, but IMO rather expensive for what they are, where you're largely paying a premium for the name, and their relative rarity.
If I were you, I'd nab this PCL-300 headshell (either from this seller or some other), which itself is 15g: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-PCL-300-Head-shell-In-bVery-good-Condition-/333516676211
Then, to make up the shortfall in mass, fit a 3mm one of these stabilizers (at 1.8g): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAPHITE-MC-STABILIZER-SMORZATORE-VIBRAZIONI-PER-TESTINA-GIRADISCHIIN-GRAFITE-HD/251599599502
Trust me, that will sound much better than anything else you were thinking of using - it's a great combo with a DL-103!:cool:
Marco.
P.S That is if you can balance it out on your arm.
Many thanks Marco. The PCL-300 plus the graphite stabilizer cost including shipping is £141.77. A brand new, NOS, FR-S5 from California costs £148.39.
This is headshell paradise, two days ago they sold a PCL-300 for $99. Please take a look, there are very interesting headshells for a reasonable price.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/free50now/m.html?item=324202016357&hash=item4b7bf22e65%3Ag%3AVAIAAOSw2eNe6sqR&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
Horacio
Many thanks Marco. The PCL-300 plus the graphite stabilizer cost including shipping is £141.77. A brand new, NOS, FR-S5 from California costs £148.39.
Yup, and I guarantee you the former will sound considerably better;)
I've owned both, and used them with various DL103s, so I know.
Marco.
Headshell heaven EBay seller: samurai_electronics**
https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=samurai_electronics**&hash=item3d98c03ede%3Ag%3AwI8AAOSw74Rd5zl0&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252 Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkXKoKcbeZcOrOku%252BoOBl%252 BS4HIMKKXqHP9lDgzLxQTjzejSUD%252BMgg5R1oWW4Cu4xj41 Plv3TivWKYNTuR%252BiY2jld6PnfosRVsyl%252Bg1ZpFRt2I Px49cI2SsFmmrIUAFyRY2k8twU%252FjVzwZNz5iubi9iEFQWT m5nYygQaO8VHHqd2g67O4H54KqPAjoIA2axUhnPFW4Om7j8zo9 Opa4Iz7S55xDWl%252FmlUuRv2P9PVQ%252BjRDpK7D5pGh32t dAGllL2ziJJvaKEn23EpoUhWEToL9dhzealpJwAimvCBacdh3c NIcEUe5mXyuwvPpbK0AtJoABCaXuQyKwc9bZz%252Fzub3pOHD PNWaR%252FxgT%252FWhDFLk9pNSwKdbRe6dPtMofxpAicjhgH HY%252FOj4k4%252B1EFojeznA5iOPyA%252FBSZx4S%252B6C W6sKpumjQhAB7dvYVQ885RwO3%252FVqCTw8dMejZobFiIYSv1 o3iyPtBvbZSkxo5LQn9cHIQbDp0soqVFs6jj3Mop0V2Z2Gfxb3 7PPm35TlFd4R6UqkeECbYrnO2r%252Fm4KiE5R9tLx3lIxeoHq bQR%252BgRGC%252Bd1kBw6V4YW%252BgrYLGncpsmhZEbbEVr WHmigE529peRXc71tivXBBlsKyKVVUOQpl9N2UNIBOMTMUSdzD BrbBef4bb9iuxwZduiTCD4fFDjVpocBa7Lqngodxga64K6BjKb dvJtikhrSGzQ5JmP9b0FMnWJk%252Bf4UrzeMqYp5TBFxyIKeT k8htXTGFaj5LgSn4L1tfGEWPUKqH%252FwmDaPEan09tbtOudh Q%253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A264555740894c1b9ba6005bd457d 91ba310c450896ff%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524&item=264555740894&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=headshell&_sacat=0
Yuki, I know him well - I bought my new Denon DL-103GL and SUT from him recently. He's top notch - superb customer service. So if anyone deals with him, you can do so with utter confidence:thumbsup:
Marco.
He recently had GL at a competitive price that was on my radar but I bought Cagey's Audio Techne brass body 103 with boron/shibata on AoS.... Pity he could not hear it with a suitable arm as I doubt he would have sold it as shockingly good.
Yeah, I'm surprised he bought that. You simply cannot get a 103 to work properly on a low-mass tonearm.
Marco.
337alant
06-11-2020, 10:29
Ortofon also do some nice headshell's
https://www.ortofon.com/hifi/products/headshells/
Alan
Yuki Nagai - Samurai - is expensive, he also charges for postage but he is knowledgeable and a nice chap. He helped me find hard to find tonearm bearings. Unfortunately, he sells small stuff, he does not want to get involved with amps and preamps.
Marco, these chaps in Germany have good prices, you probably know them: https://www.ebay.com/itm/4mm-Headshell-Damper-Spacer-for-Denon-DL103-DL103R-Cartridges-Racing-Carbon/264082285077?hash=item3d7c87e215:g:ogMAAOSwmkpZ3hf 7
How about replacing the Denon DL-103R body?
Cheers,
Horacio
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