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Looking for a light headshell with a long distance for cart install..for an AR XA

soma89

soma89

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone,

I just made my AR XA tonearm into one that could accept any universal headshell. I wanted to know if there was any specific headshells that would work well on the AR XA when it comes to overhang and weight. I’d like something as light as possible with a long travel on the headshell for overhang adjustment. I have a heavy Numark DJ headshell on it now and it’s on the heavy side and does not allow for a correct overhang.
 
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I would guess almost any SME/Japanese headshell would satisfy you, other than DJ shells, which are sometimes deliberately very high mass. You can get regular headshells on old table or from places like Parts Express for not much money.
 
The Technics SL-1200 headshells are quite rigid and weigh only 7 grams, and there are aftermarket shells for the SL-1200 arm that are only slightly heavier at 9 grams. The Technics parts have long screw slots that allow a generous range of overhang adjustment. KAB has a good selection of OE and aftermarket shells for the SL-1200 arm, and several other online suppliers also offer them.
 
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Overhang on the XA tonearm was adjusted by moving the wand into or out of the pivot. There is a set screw in the pivot and a slot in the bottom of the wand. As you've noticed, the problem with using just a new coupler is that JIS headshells are longer and their adjustment range slots can be too far out. That causes not only alignment problems but balance problems too. Try moving the wand further into the pivot but be careful that the wiring doesn't interfere with the pivot drum.

Using a whole Technics wand/coupler ass'y, which is slightly shorter, avoids that problem.

Here is an alignment gauge I made from a piece of plastic with the 15mm overhang length scribed onto the centerline. The other end is a V-notch to center it on the tonearm spindle.

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A closer view of the alignment jig with a different table that also used a 15mm overhang. A split piece of rubber hose raised the jig enough so the stylus could rest on the cross mark.

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Alignment was confirmed with a protractor.
 
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