Aftermarket headshell leads

I have the same TT. Love it. I'm using an Audio Technica AT-VM740ML on it and think it's really good for a relatively budget TT. How do you like yours with the Ortofon 2M Black?

it isn't hard, steady hand, and needle nose pliers

the metal on the sleeves usually deform easily

I too have a PLX1000 in my collection of turntables. It came with a nice headshell and a high-quality RCA interconnect. I left the headshell leads alone when I added a Denon 103R mc cartridge. There is no benefit to changing the headshell leads.

Crimp before fitting on pins using a cocktail stick inserted as a support. Then push gently but firmly onto the pins. 

I got a Korf ceramic head shell and rate it as very much an improvement.

@reubent 

I love the turntable! Heavy, sturdy, built like a tank. It sounds great with the 2M black. Perhaps a bit overkill for that table but I like it. 

@noromance 

Thanks for the suggestion that would make things easier. 

it isn't hard, steady hand, and needle nose pliers

And a toothpick for safely opening one.

Not any different than carts mounted directly on tonearm. A tiny pair of pliers always does the job easily for me. To the advice of jasonborne, I ordered a PLX-1000, getting it Friday. Always wanted a direct drive TT, will hook it up to my Puffin as a secondary TT. I hope Jason knows more about TTs than cables 😉

I bought some Amazon OFC Leads, with gold plated connectors, to update the leads on a vintage Philips AF 877. The head shell pins are smaller than standard. I had to carefully pre-crimp them. The original leads had corroded connectors and stiffened vinyl insulation. I also dripped a little deoxit on the pins, prior to installing 

I tried it and it didn't work for me at all. However, they have a trial policy and returning it was painless and friendly.

Korf ceramic head shell

Ortofon do a PC Triple C Head Shell Tag Wire.

I am an advocate of PC Triple C Wire used in the analogue signal path.

I like the Korf Site, much of what is done on there is quite similar to areas of interest I have in the world beyond what Korf does as a R&D.

One thing that still remained when last visited, is that a Magnesium Headshell still remains to be tested item.

I am for a long time wondering why, and have come to a view on this matter, that it is a tested material, but not with a published result, as it might have shown to be a very good choice in relation to the preferred material the site is an advocate of.

But as always 'Maybe Not'.

Most of my headshells are Mg. Best amalgamation of clarity, openness, transparency, detail and speed. Bass could be better