2. analog
  3. 1163439869

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
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.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>I don't remember saying my DL-103D was still stock<<

That's generally understood with cartridges; perhaps not electronics though.

New rubber, stylus, and cantilever aside, the significant increase in compliance over the stock specifications is doubtful. That's a big jump.
rodman99999
6,030 posts
 
There are a lot of modded/rebuilt cartridges out here, just as there are a lot of modded electronics. I suppose: a lot of people that aren't aware of the practice as well. The rubber cantilever suspension makes all the difference in the "compliance" of the cartridge. Change the density of the rubber, you've changed the compliance of the cartridge.
More to discover