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Technics SL1200G cables and headshell choice

Hi all,

I finally pulled the trigger and bought myself a new SL1200G.

Now I’m in the search for a light headshell with azimuth adjustment. Im intrigued by wooden ones but im a bit lost since not many reviews are available.

For example:

  • Project oak:

https://shop.project-audio.com/product/headshell-signature-wood/

  • Yamamoto hs-3 boxwood:

https://www.playstereo.com/en/accessori-per-l-analogico/2173-yamamoto-hs-3-headshell-of-tsumi-boxwood.html

  • Yamamoto hs-7 camelia:

https://exclusive-audio.jp/en/products/yamamoto-sound-craft-hs-7-camellia-head-shell?srsltid=AfmBOoq9MHQ4ld0R_OSt77F4YV2uFHtKVdmwpNduWmh2UghHiMB-T3vi

And an old one from Ortofon, LH-8000

they all weights 8 grams more or less.

cartridge im using at the moment is Hana ML.

Do you reckon that wood is a good material for the headshell? I dont mind a warmer sound.
 

Im also looking for an high quality phono cable with good shielding and low capacitance, as for the power cord. 
for the headshell im willing to spend not more than 150 euro and for the cablea im fine to buy second hand, budget is 200 euros top.

many thanks for your guidance

Emanuele

rockness87
billstevenson
1,162 posts
 

Actually a good headshell should not "wiggle" in a Technics arm.  I am back in FL now and here are actual weights for headshells in my collection using a digital kitchen scale.

Technics.  style w/azimuth screw - 8 grams

Technics.  style w/o azimuth screw - 9 grams

VAS supplied generic (similar to Ortofon) - 10 grams

Ortofon. - 9 grams

LP Gear Zupreme. - 12 grams

Yammamoto HS-4S. - 12 grams

Silver generic (similar to Technics w/o azimuth screw) - 9 grams

Cartridges set up now include AT-VMN760xSL, AT-33PTG/II, plus I re-set up 2M-LVB, 2M Mono SE, AT-150ANV, VAS,Nova Stereo, Vas Vova Mono, AT-33 Mono ANV.  I might have missed one or two.  Anyway, I am trying to develop proficiency using AnalogMagik so all of these have been done over the past week.  Mono cartridges don’t require vertical compliance of course so only lateral resonance is significant for them.  Resonance should be between 8-12 Hz both vertical and lateral for stereo cartridges.  I reconfirmed again that head shells that weighed 12 grams drove up the resonance to frequencies to be outside of this range for all of the cartridges on this list.  Like I said in the beginning, unless you really have special knowledge you would be well advised to stick with the OEM Technics head shell.  It is the only one that I have found that weighs only 8 grams and has azimuth adjustment.  Be aware, however, that not all Technics OEM head shells have azimuth adjustment.  Buyer beware.  In case it is not clear, azimuth adjustment is not needed for mono.

bubba12's avatar
bubba12
503 posts
 

Stick with the Technics headshell. It will be great. 

westcoastaudiophile
819 posts
 

I found these HS perform well:

1: NOS AT MS-10, MS-9

2: new AT LH11H

3: Phasemation CS-900, and CS-1200

Phono cable: Phasemation CC 1200* - variety of terminations available 

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