Fidelity Research Headshell On SME Arm?

It’s a Decca London Super Gold and it’ll only work with the SME if I add mass. Right now I have three quarters on the headshell (stuck on using blu tak) and it sounds lovely but it’s I can’t live with that forever!

Asthetics matter!

To me too — but ugly is OK if the music is great, I spend far less time looking than listening.

Which cartridge will you use, and why is extra mass needed?

It's the M2-12R, which has an extra counterweight for this purpose. I would try it if I had one but I'm thinking of buying it because it's 20g and the only other 20g headshell isn't as nice looking. Asthetics matter!

Which SME? If you have the FR headshell just try it.

I use a heavy head shell on a 3009/II for the same reason: add mass. It requires more weight at the back too, to balance. The added weight at both ends loads the knife-edge bearings down more firmly. The arm now plays low-compliance MCs beautifully. That was the knock on the 3009, back when MCs took over the 'high end': moving coils don't 'like' it. With these two simple mods, they like it fine.