Originally Posted by
Papa Dee
Its my understanding that the SME headshell is too light for the Dl103 hence my questions about a heavier headshell...preferably magnesium.. and how heavy...?and does this mean I would have to change the arm on my Thorens to utilise the benefits of the dl103
Not only the headshell, it's the whole tonearm effective mass that counts. That since this low compliant cartridge design needs more vertical inertia to perform optimastically. And to add mass on the headshell side, you'll need to counter add mass to the counterweights sides as well.
Ideally if your DL-103 cartridge (8.5 grams) and headshell (plus mounting plate and shim if ever) can buid up to 20 grams and about, you should be fine to make it sing with only a heavier counterweight and a heavier bias weight with the original rider weight pulled to it's maximum to balance the whole tonearm.
Only caution is about your knife edge bearing made. Early versions of the 'Improved' SME's have a steel knife edge bearing that are preferred but then require an inner tube/wand dampening to prevent "ringing" issues. The later 'Improved' have a nylon knife edge bearing that shouldn't need that dampening. Or change of tonearm.
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