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Thread: what makes a good headshell?

  1. #21
    Bigman80 Guest

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    The AT1010 uses a chuck type attachment and it's very very secure. It makes solid contact between pins. It's the best arm I've owned (and about to get better) regardless of headshell.

    Jamie, has just bought a Pioneer arm with a removable headshell and it's not come off his TT either, replacing a Zeta and an Alphasson. Both of those had been rewired too!

    Its not the headshell being attached or one piece arm/headshell that matters. It's the damping properties, bearings and tonearm wire connections that matter. Get that right and your laughing. Soldered or pressure connection, hasn't made a blind bit of difference in my system. The arms limitations have been the biggest factor.

    IMO.

  2. #22
    Join Date: Jan 2009

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    Quote Originally Posted by montesquieu View Post
    SME haven't abandoned it it's currently used on several of their arms.

    Where's the evidence that the sound is compromised? Some of the best arms in the world have a removable headshell. (And some of them don't).

    Your opinion has no evidence behind it.
    If you look at the SME range, those aimed at highest performance either have a fixed headshell or a much more mechanically inert design. Look, you clearly want to believe a different point of view so I won't waste further time. My opinion has plenty of evidence behind it in the sense that adding a mechanical joint at the headshell impacts upon the transference of vibration - how much you consider this an issue is up to you but don't pretend it doesn't exist!
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  3. #23
    Join Date: Jul 2009

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    I think the most important thing to consider regarding a headshell, is whether it looks nice or not.
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  4. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beobloke View Post
    I think the most important thing to consider regarding a headshell, is whether it looks nice or not.
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  5. #25
    montesquieu Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by YNWaN View Post
    If you look at the SME range, those aimed at highest performance either have a fixed headshell or a much more mechanically inert design. Look, you clearly want to believe a different point of view so I won't waste further time. My opinion has plenty of evidence behind it in the sense that adding a mechanical joint at the headshell impacts upon the transference of vibration - how much you consider this an issue is up to you but don't pretend it doesn't exist!
    Highest performance? I'd take either of my Ikedas or my AT-1503 over an SME V any day of the week. Likewise something like a Glanz.

    Can you point to the evidence please if there's plenty of it. All I've read so far is opinion.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bigman80 View Post

    Its not the headshell being attached or one piece arm/headshell that matters. It's the damping properties, bearings and tonearm wire connections that matter. Get that right and your laughing. Soldered or pressure connection, hasn't made a blind bit of difference in my system. The arms limitations have been the biggest factor.

    Quite.

  6. #26
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    The audiophile obsessive in me tends to dwell on the ‘unnecessary joint’ theory that Mark outlines above, but in my experience and practice no tonearm is really defined by whether it has a fixed or removable headshell. There is much more to a good sounding tonearm than just this one aspect. Ultimately, I have found, as Tom has, that the most enjoyable and musical sounding tonearms generally have removable headshells, and the added convenience that brings is icing on the cake. For someone who only ever uses one cartridge, swappable headshells might not matter much, but for those of us who listen to stereo and mono using different transducers, convenience is important.

    As for what makes the the best headshell, the answer rather depends on mass and cartridge compliance. That said, there are clear differences in sonic character between light alloy, carbon fibre, wood etc, so mass aside, which type is best rather depends on the preferences of the listener. My current favourite is the Timestep ebony headshell, which is moderately heavy at 15g and has a lovely ‘organic’ and natural sound that I find quite alluring. On a practical level, I like multi-adjustable headshells like the Acoustical Systems Arche 5D, which is heavy at 18g and does have a lovely sound character but is ruinously expensive. I’m mulling over a design for a heavy-ish machined alloy headshell with generous cartridge mounting slots, as well as adjustable overhang and azimuth at the collet, to allow for any tonearm alignment oddities.

  7. #27
    Join Date: Apr 2012

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    The pros and cons of removable headshells and fixed examples and one piece arms were researched. I remember the mags delving into this many years ago. No doubt the data is out there if anybody is interested enough (I'm not).

    The usual SME/Universal headshell is retained by what is basically a spigot and socket arrangement. This is a reasonable compromise, but that does not alter the fact that this is exactly what it is. A compromise! There are better ways of doing things.

  8. #28
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    on reflection i shouldnt have sold my Yamamoto ebony Headshell HS-1A ... that was a nice thing.
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  9. #29
    Join Date: Nov 2008

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    I'm gordan.

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    headshells are redundant, use SPU or FR pickups
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  10. #30
    Join Date: Jan 2009

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    I'm openingabottleofwine.

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    Quote Originally Posted by anubisgrau View Post
    headshells are redundant, use SPU or FR pickups
    Or use an EMT or any other 'integrated headshell ' cartridge design.
    Barry

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