Could this be a 'giant-killing' tonearm cable?

[MartinT]

I could offer the small but valid point that cartridges are way easier to mount and align in a headshell compared with a fixed arm design.

[Marco]

But it's unnecessary, as I've already done so:

Quite simply, the most important and significant difference there is between two similarly priced and well-engineered tonearms, one with a fixed headshell, and the other detachable, is that cartridges are a damned sight easier to fit on the latter!!

Like I've said, I've never heard the claimed sonic degradation of using tonearms with detachable headshells (if I had, there's NO WAY I'd use one), providing that the tonearm's overall construction and engineering quality is in the highest rank, as is the case with my Ortofon, a Fidelity Research, or Martin's superb Dynavector - and indeed all the arms that Dave mentioned.

One only has to carry out some relevant comparisons to discover that fact!

Also, isn't there a theory that the detachable shell decouples the cartridge from the arm's main resonance modes (or something along those lines?)

Marco.

[sq225917]

I've never heard that 'theory', it sounds more like idle supposition. The last thing you want in any tonearm is decoupling, because that just means some kind of 'floppy' and that means not under control. A bit of damping is good, but I'd always prefer things to be notionally rigid.

[Marco]

Cool, Simon. No worries...I've no idea whether there's anything or not in such a theory.

All I know is that there's no way I'd trade the huge convenience of mounting cartridges in high-quality detachable headshell arms (and being able to swap cartridges quickly for something else), for using arms with fixed headshells, in order to gain a claimed increase in sonic performance, which I've never heard

As a matter of interest, has anyone ever compared two SME 3009s, with the same cartridge (in an otherwise identical T/T and system) - one being the older version with a detachable headshell, and the other, the later 'improved' version, with a fixed headshell? And if you have, did you notice much difference?

That would be the only true way of settling the argument, as no other tonearm that I know of is available with or without a detachable headshell, and so when one normally carries out such a comparison, too many other variables are in the equation, in order to test properly for the claimed sonic degradation.

I sometimes wonder if those who dismiss tonearms with detachable headshells do so because the idea doesn't fit with their notion of 'tonearm perfection' or 'engineering logic', rather than having the practical experience of comparing one type of arm against the other (in the absence of all other variables), and thus arriving at a more meaningful conclusion?

In my experience, lateral thinking often defies 'obvious logic'...

Also, there was a lot of brainwashing done by the press, in the UK audio scene, in the 70s and 80s, an example of which is the now well-documented unfair bias against (all) direct-drive turntables. 'S-shaped' tonearms, with detachable headshells, being automatically inferior to 'straight armtube' fixed-headshell types, also came into that catergory, and I think that those who were influenced by, and in turn bought that bullshit, still can't shake off that bias...

Following fashion and conforming to the 'accepted norm' often has much to answer for in audio, whereas having the courage of your convictions and the gumption to think for yourself, challenging 'obvious choices', and going a different route from the sheep, more often than not pays dividends!

Marco (forever an audio non-conformist).

[hifi_dave]

Having used many of each design over the years, I don't think there is any advantage for either fixed or detachable, except for cartridge mounting. It's just a different philosophy like transistor v valve or belt v idler etc. Whatever floats yer boat.

[Marco]

I totally agree, Dave. Have you ever done the comparison with an SME 3009, as outlined above?

Marco.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just my $0.02 worth. What happens if you cant be arsed with shifting from one head shell to the other, just like me! I like fixed head shells for the simple reason that half of the arsing around aligning a cartridge is removed for you. Personally I've not heard that much difference, sonically, between fixed or detatchable head shells. I think this is yet another variable where far too much time is spent "worrying" and not enough time spent enjoying the music.

[synsei]

I think this is yet another variable where far too much time is spent "worrying" and not enough time spent enjoying the music.

Here, here...

[Marco]

Hi Andrew,

Just my $0.02 worth. What happens if you cant be arsed with shifting from one head shell to the other, just like me!

There's no need to do that if you only have one cartridge. Some us, though, have half a dozen or more, all set-up to go in separate headshells, so having a tonearm with a detachable headshell makes it much easier to swap between them!

Quite often it's nice hearing an alternative 'take' on your favourite music, offered by a cartridge with a rather different sonic presentation from your usual choice, especially when you can access that pleasure in a matter of minutes (sometimes seconds)

I like fixed head shells for the simple reason that half of the arsing around aligning a cartridge is removed for you.

Like I said, it's a non-issue if you just have one cartridge. Once said cartridge is successfully installed in position, it's 'fit and forget', no matter whether your tonearm has a fixed headshell or not.

However, fitting the cartridge in the first place is a damn sight easier when you can remove the headshell from the arm!

Personally I've not heard that much difference, sonically, between fixed or detatchable head shells. I think this is yet another variable where far too much time is spent "worrying" and not enough time spent enjoying the music.

Indeed. Out with of discussing the matter here, I don't worry about such things in the slightest!

Marco.

[sq225917]

I have to agree, I've owned SME's with fixed and detachable headshells and they sounded no different. But as stated I had no need for it to detach so the choice on which to keep was simple.