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Which headshell to use?

Hello. I am a new member to Audiogon and am seeking some adivce. I have a vintage system consisting of a Pioneer SX1980 receiver, Teac X2000 reel to reel, Klipsch Belle's and most recently added a Pioneer Series20 Model PLC-590 turntable. It is set up with the Pioneer PA1000 tonearm, but has an aftermarket headshell by Audioquest. Ive installed an Audio Technica 440ML cartridge that I was previously using on my Empire 698. Given that you guys know just about everything with regard to turntable setup and I know just enough to get myself in trouble, could someone please reccommend an appropriate headshell. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to becoming part of your community. Rick
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mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,934 posts
 
I have a box full of different headshells. My favorite is the Orsonic. Audioquest made a version of this also, (actually it just had their name on it).

These went out of production for a long time, but have recently come back. 2Juki on E-Bay sells them.

I also like some of the wood bodied headshells, but the Orsonic is my favorite. There are quite a few to choose from nowadays...happy hunting!
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,934 posts
 
BTW...welcome! Nice vintage system!!
35off OP
7 posts
 
Thanks Mofimadness for your reply. Ill take a look at the Orsonic. I know there is a whole "science" to turntable set up and what works well with what. How much impact does the headshell really have or is it mostly a carrier of the cartridge. Obviously next comes the correct cartridge match which I know is a whole nother story. Any suggestions in that arena will be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks again for your input. RM
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I also have lightweigh (silver) Orsonic headshell for my Denon DL-107 MM and it was ok.

Later i tried Technics EPA-100 with stock headshell with my Zyx Airy 3 MC and it was ok too. But when i bought heavier Zyx Live 18 headshell for ZyX Airy i was blown away buy the difference in performance, even my girlfriend noticed that. So if the weight of Zyx Live 18 is ok for your cartridge/arm it can be one of the best shell (but it's not cheap option).

The budged option is Audiotechnica Technicard shells, the esiest shell to mount cartridges, pretty good one and must be in collection.

As for audiocraft i'm sure it must be good (i want to try one). I use heavy utracraft shell (by audiocraft) on my Thomas Schick "12 tonearm with low compliance Argent MC500HS cartridge and i like it. Design of this black ultracraft is great.

I can't say much about wooden headshells (like yamamoto sound craft), but a friend of mine has their ebony wood shell for his grado cartridge. Unfortunately this shell cracked after all, not sure why exactly, but that's not good imho (wood is very sensitive to temperature etc). Anyway people love it for DL103 on Schick Arm. There're also titanium headshells in yamamoto soundcraft line...
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