Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

[HayesWeighsIn]

Those eBay screws ended up being out of stock from that seller, so I just went for it and ordered the Soundsmith screws. I’ve kinda always wanted them anyway! Now I don’t need to be concerned about cartridge weight.

 

[Joe Mac]

Those eBay screws ended up being out of stock from that seller, so I just went for it and ordered the Soundsmith screws. I’ve kinda always wanted them anyway! Now I don’t need to be concerned about cartridge weight.

They are really nice! Makes adjustments when aligning very easy too!

 

[OMC]

They are really nice! Makes adjustments when aligning very easy too!

The brass ones sound best. No, really!

 

[OMC]

Back in the day, a dime on the head shell was a good starting point for fuzzy sound from the speakers. If that didn’t work then a nickel was the next option, and so on. No, really!

 

[Mather]

The brass ones sound best. No, really!

Because I don't understand these things. I will need mounting screws when I change carts, will the weight of these things mess up the effective arm mass calculations thingie between the Paua and the VPI Classic Gimbal?

 

[Joe Mac]

Because I don't understand these things. I will need mounting screws when I change carts, will the weight of these things mess up the effective arm mass calculations thingie between the Paua and the VPI Classic Gimbal?

They add a fair chunk of weight on the headshell so you will have to counter that with the counterweight.

 

[Mather]

They add a fair chunk of weight on the headshell so you will have to counter that with the counterweight.

Oh for sure, just wasn't sure if it threw anything else off in terms of compliance.

 

[Joe Mac]

Oh for sure, just wasn't sure if it threw anything else off in terms of compliance.

Oh right yes that. I pay no attention to that

 

[Mather]

Oh right yes that. I pay no attention to that

 

[OMC]

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@Mather I'm thinking Peter Lederman(?) would have thoughts to share on that. VPI as well.

 

[Joe Mac]

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Not being silly for a sec the answer to that would have to be yes, you’d have to account for the extra weight on the end of the tonearm in the calculation. It would seem to make most sense to add it to the cartridge weight.

Equally I honestly don’t look at it when picking carts and haven’t had any ill effects thus far, touch wood.

 

[Mather]

@Mather I'm thinking Peter Lederman(?) would have thoughts to share on that. VPI as well.

Yeah I'll ask, good call.

 

[Joe Mac]

Yeah I'll ask, good call.

This compliance calculator would suggest you should account for it.

Compliance/Effective Mass Calculator

to optimally match your tonearm with your cartridge

korfaudio.com

If you want to stick in the values to trial the weights of a pair of the soundsmith screws are:

Nylon screws 1.04g

Aluminum screws 2.06g

Stainless screws 6.30g

Brass screws 6.14g

My preference is the stainless ones.

 

[Mather]

This compliance calculator would suggest you should account for it.

Compliance/Effective Mass Calculator

to optimally match your tonearm with your cartridge

korfaudio.com

If you want to stick in the values to trial the weights of a pair of the soundsmith screws are:

Nylon screws 1.04g

Aluminum screws 2.06g

Stainless screws 6.30g

Brass screws 6.14g

My preference is the stainless ones.

I can't find the compliance number anywhere, hence why I hate this stuff. Also fuck math man...

 

[Mather]

Wait, I think I've got it...

 

[Mather]

I'm not sure if I've got those numbers right. But if I do then I actually WANT the heavier screws. The lighter ones put it out of the green...

 

[Russ I]

I'm not sure if I've got those numbers right. But if I do then I actually WANT the heavier screws. The lighter ones put it out of the green...

That's where the dime comes in.

 

[Mather]

Actually you the effective mass wrong, it's 10.2 but still basically has the same graph.

 

[Angsty]

The brass ones sound best. No, really!

I’d guess that it would variable based on tonearm and cartridge.

 

[Mather]

There, proper numbers. Bit more headroom, looks to be all good but funny that I actually want the heavier mounting screws. Would not have guessed that.