2. analog
  3. 192952-23947

Removable headshells

Requesting input about headshell weight. My project is a 1983 Linn LP12. The tonearm will be a Jelco SA-250S. The cartridge will be a Sumiko Moonstone. The Moonstone compliance is 12x10-6 cm/dyn, which is at the lower end of the medium range. The Moonstone weight is 6.5 gm. This is my first go round with a removable headshell tonearm. My question is, how concerned do I need to be about the weight of the headshell? If I am understanding all of this stuff correctly, it seems that I should pick a slightly heavier headshell. Correct? Of course all suggestions are welcome.

Ag insider logo xs@2xmwh777
billstevenson
445 posts
 

I hate to say this, but they all sound different.  You would be well advised to try a few different ones before settling on one.  The one I use is, unfortunately, no longer available.  I do like ones that allow you to adjust azimuth.  In terms of weight, too much weight is not your friend. 

hoytis
100 posts
 

The SA-250 effective mass is 18g, yes? Looking at an online resonance calculator, I would think if you added weight you'd be out of that sweet spot for resonant frequency.

Post removed 
lewm
13,337 posts
 

A heavy headshell ("too much weight") can be your friend if you want to use a low compliance cartridge and need to increase tonearm effective mass.  One very good one that I use with a Koetsu Urushi is the Ortofon LH9000, which weighs 18g, as compared to most of my other headshells that weigh 9 to 12g. I mounted it on my FR64S tonearm, which is already a high mass tonearm, but the FR headshells are not so great sounding. With the LH9000, the Urushi never sounded better.

More to discover