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Cartridge Headshell Match

I recently purchased a Technics SL1200 GR.  

I currently have an Ortofon MC Rondo Red mounted.

I plan on getting another Headshell and mounting a Benz Micro Glider that I just had re-tipped on it.  

I noticed some headshells have azimuth adjustment which would be nice but weigh around 12 grams. 

I can get a technics style headshell with no azimuth adjustment that weighs around 7.6 grams.

The Benz Glider weighs  6.6 grams

The Ortofon MC Rondo weighs 10.5 grams and sounds great with the stock Technics headshell.  

 The Benz is lighter in weight than the Ortofon by almost 4 grams so would that better mate with a heavier headshell?

I know this subject has been covered many times before but it still confuses me a bit.
nicktheknife

Showing 8 responses by nicktheknife

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
I don't go crazy with azimuth.  I don't use any Fonzi-gometer or whatever that thing is or any other electonic devices to adjust.

I have one of those plexi-glass squares with a grid that you can stand up in front of the cartridge/headshell and see if it's at least square with the grid.  I usually make sure that the stylus is perpendicular to the cartridge body before hand then I try to match it.

But, if it's not necessary as you say then I would be happy to not mess with it.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Thanks, yogiboy.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
I really don’t think I got my point across clearly.
I’ll try and simplify it here.

Turntable: Technics SL1200GR
Cartridge Mounted: Ortofon MC Rondo Red (wt. 10.5 g)
Headshell: Technics (wt. 7.6 g)

I want to mount my Benz Glider (wt. 6.6 g) on the turntable with a headshell that I don’t have yet. I’d prefer one with azimuth adjustment. What has been suggested is the LPGear 10 g headshell or the Jelco 12 g headshell.
I’m leaning toward the LPGEAR one because it is lighter.
But would the Jelco be a better match for the Benz because it is heavier?
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
mijostyn,
I have the Hi Fi News Test Record but have never used it before for cartridge/arm resonance testing.  I will break it out tomorrow and test my current combination of arm/headshell/cartridge(Ortofon) to see where the resonance of that combination lies.

hdm,
LP Gear makes two Zupreme headshells with Azimuth adjustment.  One is 10 grams the other is 12.1 grams.  
The Jelco is 12.1 grams.  Haven't found  a Jelco that is 10 grams.
The stock Technics is only 7.6 grams.  

As yogiboy and mijostyn pointed out, I can always add weight.  I was concerned that the Glider is only 6.6 grams and may need a heavier headshell.

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Thanks for the pointers Mike.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
donvito,

Thanks for the calculator link.
I’m assuming the effective tonearm mass includes the stock Technics headshell.

Most of the combinations of headshells and cartridges I have or may obtain calculate to somewhere between 8 to 10. Maybe just over 10.

Even if I use a 12.1g headshell with the Glider the res.freq. comes to 9.1

If I use the 12.1 with the heavier Ortofon comes to 8.8

Doesn’t seem completely out of whack.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
I'm going to test this with the Hi Fi news record to see if the resonance frequency comes out to around 9 with the Ortofon/Technics cart. and headshell.  

Will let you all know what I find.

Thanks
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Using the HiFi New Test Record the Ortofon/Technics combo I got:

Lateral  11 Hz
Vert.      10 Hz

Seems close enough.
I figure the Benz should work with pretty much any of the headshells that have been recommended.  

Either the Jelco or LPGear Zupreme w/azimuth adjustment or another Technics style headshell without azimuth adj. but won't know until I actually try one.

Thanks all.
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