2. analog
  3. 173243-169303

Tonearm for vintage mm cartridges

I know I’m very, very late to the party but I’d like to start investigating older mm cartridges. Unfortunately having used low compliance mc’s for a long time I no longer have any suitable tonearms, all of them having high effective mass (I think my Fidelity Research FR64fx is probably the lowest!).


Which tonearms would you recommend please? I’m thinking about Audio Technica AT-1010 or AT-1100 or the Technics EPA100/250/501.

For cartridges I have found an old Shure V15 type iii in a drawer with several replacement styli so will start with that. I will then start trying others.

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.

David

dwhistance
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,493 posts
 

That Shure has a very high compliance of 30x10 and weighs 6.6 grams. You will need a tonearm with an effective mass of 6 grams or lower. Here is a calculation chart you can use before you make a decision on the arm that you get!

http://www.mh-audio.nl/Calculators/RF.html

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Denon DA-401 is designed for high compliance cartridges. 10 inch length and 7 grams mass. There are several available on eBay now. $439.27 and free shipping from Japan.

tzh21y
1,654 posts
 

Black Widow is pretty good. Sme 3009 and a shure cartridge.

secretguy
1,596 posts
 

There's a Unitrack for sale on USA.

billwojo
397 posts
 

That Shure is an example of a extremely high compliant cartridge and a matching tonearm won't be a great match with the majority of modern and vintage mid compliance cartridges.

Our member Chakster could probably recommend a tonearm that would still be suitable for that cartridge and will work with a lot of the mid compliance cartridges.

A turntable with a replaceable tonearm board would allow you to use different tonearms. Something that you may want to investigate.

 

BillWojo

More to discover