Headshell recommendations

[Shockmaster]

hi guys! I have a Kenwood KD 770D TT with a Shure M97HE cart and N97HE styli. I’m also using the original, stock tone arm. There are no issues with my current headshell, which is also the stock headshell it came with. I’m fairly new to the TT world and I’m curious if an upgrade to my headshell would make any difference in sound? I also have another Shure cart that I like to switch over to every now and then, and it’ll make it a lot easier to be able to switch between headshells and set counter weight then to remove the cart from the headshell each time I want to use a different cart. Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Poinzy]

Straight, bayonet-mount headshells, like the ones used on Technics SL1200's, are available just about everywhere. But I have no idea where I'd get headshells for your model of turntable. Maybe eBay? I'm just guessing.

 

[sqlsavior]

Ease of switching cartridges is an excellent reason to get another headshell. But I would look elsewhere for a SQ upgrade - not that it can't happen, but because your headshell seems unusual.

 

[bimasta]

Good photos of the h'shell... but only the front of it. But I can't see how the coupling works, and that will determine what other cartridges you can use. If you can take some shots of the coupling mechanism, with the h'shell out, top- side- and front-views, we can offer better advice.

 

[Shockmaster]

Good photos of the h'shell... but only the front of it. But I can't see how the coupling works, and that will determine what other cartridges you can use. If you can take some shots of the coupling mechanism, with the h'shell out, top- side- and front-views, we can offer better advice.

I’ve added more photos to the original post. Thanks for the tip and the info.

 

[savatage1973]

There are a few on that auction site--but they are NOT cheap!

 

[Blue Shadow]

I would consider the Kenwood headshell one of the best for that table because the table was near top of the line when Kenwood was making great turntables and design thought went into all aspects of the table. This means the headshell got good engineering and should be a good solid one since it weighs 10 grams. Not much to improve on it unless fine tuning the tonearm mass for a cartridge, something the Shure M97 doesn't need. That table can extract all the benefits of cartridges up to the $2000 level and the headshell should be just fine with any of those.

I'd look for another headshell of any manufacture, that will work properly with that arm. I don't happen to know of a headshell that works with that arm except the Kenwood. Unfortunately, it costs more than your cartridge on the bay. They have one at 120 and one for more. Now in a few years as you scrape together some coins and get that expensive cartridge the price of the headshell isn't so daunting.

 

[run_around]

I’ve added more photos to the original post. Thanks for the tip and the info.

Looks like an ADC standard headshell but you would need to check the angle and pins: https://www.lpgear.com/product/PTS008.html.
An actual ADC will be more expensive.

 

[bimasta]

I’ve added more photos to the original post. Thanks for the tip and the info.

Thanks, good shots! Looks like the standard SME mount, aka “universal”, i.e fits everything. But 99% of such h’shells DON’T work in straight arms — they need the offset angle a curved arm provides. Your Kenwood h’shell includes the offset angle, which makes it rare — and expensive.

This one from Denon, however, also includes the offset angle. And it’s a current model, thus available, and very affordable. Comes with good quality gold-plated leads. They even come in a range of colors, though I only show silver and black — personally I wouldn't use Fire Engine Red on that elegantly austere Kenwood table.



I suspect they won’t be available for long, so it may be wise to get a few — and a few won't cost more than a single K original. It gives you lots of versatility, even if you move up to exotic cartridges. That Kenwood is a great TT and should be all you ever need for years to come.

Google Denon DP-300F headshell, you’ll find many sources for it... and you'll smile at the prices.

I can’t find specs for either TT regarding tonearm Effective Length and Offset Angle. They may differ a bit, and it affects alignment. But most 9” arms are very close, and you can cope with differences by using the h’shell slots.

It’s a great, and perhaps only, solution to your dilemma, other than hunting down Kenwood originals and paying serious money.

But of course if someone else offers a better option, go with that.

EDIT — Audio Technica makes one too: Audio-Technica AT-HS3