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Tonearm/cartridge weight considerations

I have just decided to dig up my old vinyl collection that has been waiting for better days since mid-80s. Bought a turntable (Thorens 124) without tonearm. I have Shure V15V-MR cartridge. Started to look around for an appropriate tonearm and found out that the tonearm/cartridge issue has grown into a science. Now I am confused about this tonearm/cartridge weight issue. Could enyone illuminate me about this issue, mainly covering the following questions:
1) they speak of light/medium/heavy arms, so what are the figures for those weight categories?
2) are there weight categories for for cartridges and if yes - where my SHure V15V-MR fits?
3) does a light tonearm needs a light cartridge, or is it totally opposite - a light tonearm needs a heavier cartridge and vice-versa?
4) what can go wrong if the rules of tonearm/cartridge weight are ignored?
Thank you!
crockusbird
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I would consider the Shure a high not medium compliance cartridge.

At 25 it is far above what generally is accepted medium i.e. 12-17.
crockusbird OP
5 posts
 
Thank you for the advice. Now I have to do the rest of the homework :)
rodman99999
6,030 posts
 
I suppose I missed the fact that there was no, "X" in his designation. The V15VX-MR has a compliance of 15. My bad! In that case: look for a fairly low effective mass arm. My Denon 103D's compliance is 30, and works wonderfully with my old Magnepan Unitrac I.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Actually the published spec for a Denon 103-D in 1977 was 12cu which makes it a medium, not high, compliance cartridge. See this link:

http://www.analogue-classics.com/html/denon_dl_103.html

Values of 10cu-20cu are considered medium compliance, 25cu high, and 35cu very high.

Hope that helps.
rodman99999
6,030 posts
 
I don't remember saying my DL-103D was still stock. It now sports a van den Hul type I stylus, a boron cantilever and new rubber compliance. Tested as stated.
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