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Advice on Tonearm/ Cartridge combo

I've recently started using a SME 309 Arm on my SME rig, which is pretty low mass arm (9.5g).  The only cartridge I use and have is a Koetsu Black Goldline, which is a very low compliance cartridge around  (5 X 10-6cm).  I've been trying to make this combo work but these two just don't work well together, there's some resonance and distortion, especially with heavy piano chords.  Obviously I have change either the tonearm or cartridge.  Does it make more sense to get rid of the low compliance cart and get a more suitable cart to go with the SME arm, or should I trade in the arm for a heavier one that is more compatible with more carts.   

 Thanks,
J
tyan42

Showing 1 response by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
With such a light mass you definitely need a high compliance MM/MI cartridge, try some decent vintage cartridges and i'm pretty sure you will be impressed. Look for the best possible stylus profile and a nice cantilever, normally top quality MM/MI from the 80's are very nice. 

Or change your tonearm to something like FR-64s (very high mass) for low compliance cartridge. 
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