SME 3009 S2: Ikeda IS-2W or FR-S/5 headshells?

[F575M]

Chaps,

I am considering either an Ikeda IS-2W [16g] or a FR-S/5 [18g] headshell for my 3009 S2. I am not sure if they will fit it and if I would need a heavier counterweight.

On another note, I am also considering the new Yamamoto Sound Craft HS-5S Titanium [18.4g].

Anyone who has been successful with either headshell?

Cheers,

[Barry]

Is your SME arm an 'Improved' model?

I have used the Fidelity Research S/3 (20g) and S/5 (17g) headshells with either of the original Series II SME 3009 and 3012 arms.

How heavy is the cartridge you wish to use?

[F575M]

No, both are non-improved. Sorry, I should have stated that it is for mounting a new Denon DL-103R.

[Barry]

With the Denon 103R cartridge fitted into any of your suggested headshells, you will struggle with counterbalancing (even if you use the lack of counterbalance to provide the VTF).

http://www.analogue-classics.com/assets/images/smeeffmass02.jpg

e.g. mass of DL103R is 8.5g. Assume 0.5g for fixings. So with the Ikeda headshell the total mass is 25g. Assume the recommended VTF is 2.5g, so you need to counterbalance 22.5g. Maximum counterbalance for the SME 3009 is 20g.

However it might be possible, if you don't mind the counterweight looking as if it is about to fall off the arm stub behind the bearing block.

[F575M]

Hi Barry,

You did a great math job. What decent head shell would be ideal for the 103R? There are many vintage headshells available on eBay. One that has come to my mind is the Grace HS5 (11g).

Cheers,

[Barry]

My experience has only been with the Denon 103.

Marco is your man to discuss suitable headshells for use with Denon cartridges - he has a lot of experience with Denon cartridges. But the Grace headshell does look like it might be a possible contender.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/gZEAAOSwXUxc-glU/s-l500.jpg

[Barry]

I've had a word with Marco regarding a suitable/optimum mass headshell for use with your Denon 103R. He recommends one weighing15g, and suggests you might consider the Denon PCL-300:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-PCL-300-Head-shell-In-bVery-good-Condition-/333516676211

As far as counterbalancing the cartridge/headshell combination, you might just get away with it, provided you use the 2.5g VTF the Denon requires.

[F575M]

Thanks Barry, I wrote him through another thread and he was very straightforward.

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...-/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-...D/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!

Marco.

P.S That is if you can balance it out on your arm.

[F575M]

This is headshell paradise:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/free50now/m.html?item=324202016357&hash=item4b7bf22e65%3Ag%3AVAIAAOSw2eNe6sqR&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[drSM]

My 103r sits in a Jelco HS30
Lovely thing.