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Do Headshells Make A Difference?

Jim Creek

Jim Creek

Jazz, Wine, Electronics
I have numerous different types of headshells for my numerous different cartridges. I’ve been considering standardizing on one type/brand of headshell.

Do headshells make a sonic difference? What headshells do you recommend?
 
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Definitely, everything vibrate, some absorb others return vibration.
HS shouldn't exist, the best is having a cart holder with the minimum size posible.
AG.
 
Here is the challenge: EVERYTHING makes a difference. The problem is identifying whether the difference is perceptible by human ears. And that's where arguments happen here.

My two cents: They make no perceptible sonic difference. However, I would not put a really heavy headshell on a really compliant tonearm. But then, when you can choose any standard headshell (because it's a standard S or J shaped tonearm, probably anything available for it will be fine.

Others will disagree. :lurk:
 
RobRoy said:
Here is the challenge: EVERYTHING makes a difference. The problem is identifying whether the difference is perceptible by human ears. And that's where arguments happen here.

My two cents: They make no perceptible sonic difference. However, I would not put a really heavy headshell on a really compliant tonearm. But then, when you can choose any standard headshell (because it's a standard S or J shaped tonearm, probably anything available for it will be fine.

Others will disagree. :lurk:
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I don't. I think you pretty much summed it up. You'll put the wrong headshell on a tonearm and hear it worse long before you put a headshell on a hear something better.
 
Hi, I have only just started using Head-shells & was alarmed at the variation in play in the coupling system.
I then discovered a Sumiko, 2 pin (top & bottom) head-shell, which I bought & was pleasantly surprised at how firmer the head shell was on the arm. But I suppose this is why it is universally recognised that fixed cartridge mounting gives superior results to the same tonearm with a removable head-shell.

Cheers
 
tabarddn51 said:
Hi, I have only just started using Head-shells & was alarmed at the variation in play in the coupling system.
I then discovered a Sumiko, 2 pin (top & bottom) head-shell, which I bought & was pleasantly surprised at how firmer the head shell was on the arm. But I suppose this is why it is universally recognised that fixed cartridge mounting gives superior results to the same tonearm with a removable head-shell.

Cheers
Click to expand...

My guess is the Sumiko (Jelco made their arms) is the same as the Jelco HS-25 and Zupreme by LP Gear both coming in at 12gr. I have both and they are fine headshells. The second pin helps maintain azimuth but it seems there is still a tiny bit of play that depending upon the stylus type might be a problem.
 
Based on the Korf tests I’m sticking to those top of the line but still reasonably priced Audio-Technica shells. Have chanced on the non threaded “H” types too though.
Fixed headshells can be good, like the Mørch (just a flattening of the tube), but they can also be problematic like the Regas.
 
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If I had more than one cartridge and wanted the same model of headshell for all of them (and I most probably would want that), I'd go for something "standard," like an Audio-Technica. Hi-fi has way too many rabbit-holes, especially turntables.
 
The average person is not going to hear much of a difference. You may notice a very slight difference with a heavier headshell vs. a lighter one. I personally like to use the more rigid types made of magnesium alloy and prefer 2 pin headshells overall vs. a 1 pin design. That said I'm not going to claim there is a huge audible difference among decently made headshells. They do measure differently in terms of resonances, as we saw in the Korf tests. Pricing can be all over the place too.

A "fixed" headshell arm is no panacea BTW, as some of them resonate at the business end just as bad as a $10 stamped aluminum headshell.
 
I have a collection of head shells of various weights. Partially to add or subtract to the tonearm’s Effective Mass to control the Resonant Frequency of the arm/cartridge match-up. But also to do the same EM manipulation to help with different weight cartridges, in terms of where the counterweight sits on the end stub. Usually an extremely heavy cartridge needs additional weight on the counterweight (I add washers for my Denon DL-103mwith Aluminum Cap), but also when the cartridge is so light the counterweight is all the way towards the pivot a heavier head shell can be useful.

In absolute terms of intrinsic sound, all things being equal (weight, mostly), I have not heard any noticeable difference between different head shells.
 
Also, some headshells have shorter slots than others, so some carts may not be able to be aligned on some arms. Others have a rotational adjustment to fine tune a stylus. Otherwise I agree with all above. Heck, even the looks mean more to me that some other stuff. I really like the old black ADC magnesium ones.

LOVE the one channel out of phase cable to set AS in their article. I can't believe I've never heard of that!
 
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I just ordered another from Fluance for my RT82. I was going to get the AT but Fluance is $10 cheaper and the same as what is already on the tt.
 
RDW said:
I just ordered another from Fluance for my RT82. I was going to get the AT but Fluance is $10 cheaper and the same as what is already on the tt.
Click to expand...

Fluance headshells are around 10 gr; on the heavy side for compliant cartridges.
 
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