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The Arm/Cartridge Matching Myth

When I began my journey in high-end audio 36 years ago….no-one ever wrote about arm and cartridge matching nor tonearm resonant frequency…?
Over the last 10 years or so…this topic has become not only ubiquitous, but has mutated beyond its definition, to THE guiding principle of matching cartridge to tonearm….❓❗️😵
The Resonant Frequency can be calculated using a complex formula relating Tonearm Effective Mass to the cartridge’s Compliance….or it can be simply measured using a Test record of various frequency sweeps.
The RECOMMENDED Resonant Frequency of any tonearm/cartridge combination is between 8-12Hz.
But WHY is this the recommended frequency and WHAT does it really mean…?

The raison d’etre of this Resonant Frequency…is to avoid WARPED records inducing ‘resonance’ into the tonearm…..
Say what…❓😵
WARPED records….❓❗️
Yes…..ONLY warped records❗️😎
But doesn’t it have any meaning for NORMAL records…❓
None whatsoever…..😊👍
Let me explain….🎼

A badly warped record induces the tonearm to rise and fall rapidly on the ‘sprung’ cantilever of the cartridge.
Depending on the severity and frequency of this warping…..a subsonic frequency between 2-5Hz is induced so if your tonearm/cartridge Resonant Frequency dips into this frequency range….it will begin resonating and thus miss-track and/or induce hum through your system.🎤
Keeping the lower limits of your tonearm/cartridge Resonant Frequency to 8Hz simply insures against this possibility.🎶

So what about the 12Hz upper limit…❓
This simply insures against the possibility of any ultra low-level frequency information which MAY be on the record, also inducing this same miss-tracking or hum. For instance if your tonearm/cartridge Resonant Frequency was 18Hz and you had an organ record or one containing synthesised bass going down to 16Hz…..your tonearm may miss-track or you MAY develop a hum❓😢

So how many badly WARPED record do you possess…❓
I have three out of a thousand or so……and have NEVER experienced miss-tracking or hum even on these three…❗️😍

Yet these days….everyone (without exception it seems)…even tonearm and cartridge designers….happily follow the dictum of this Arm/Cartridge MATCH as if it affected sound quality…..❓
This Resonant Frequency has ZERO affect on the sound quality of a particular tonearm/cartridge combination and I have proved it hundreds of times with a dozen different arms and over 40 cartridges.

The best match for ANY cartridge ever made….is simply the very best tonearm you can afford…whatever its Effective Mass…😘
128x128halcro
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
So your saying that a Denon DL-103, a very low compliant cart could run well with an arm like a super light weight Black Widow? I would think that Denon would wiggle that Black Widow furiously at lower frequency's and not much energy would come from the cartridge

good point, it's like SPU on Black Widow
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,501 posts
 
Halcro, it is fortunate for you most cartridges and tonearms fall in the middle of the road now so it is much harder for you to screw up.
Resonance frequencies do not occur at sharp points. They are most pronounced at specific frequencies but ramp up and down over 1/2 an octave or so. The effects of a tonearm cartridge combination with a vertical resonance of 16 Hz will occur well into the audio range the result being sustained feed back. This would be like putting a Koetsu in an Infinity Black widow tonearm. On the other hand if you put a Shure V15 in a Kuzma 4 Point the slightest warp will start the tonearm bouncing merrily towards the spindle. 
Now I have routinely said that I try to keep the resonance frequency below 10 Hz as close to 8 as I can get it because it does make an audible and palpable improvement in low bass performance. In most systems it would not matter much because they do not have any significant output below 40 Hz. I do and I can promise you there is a significant difference even between 12 and 8 Hz (1/2 octave)
Everyone should get a test record and watch what happens when the stylus gets to the right resonance frequencies. The tonearm starts visibly shaking.   
Atmasphere, anyone who likes "In the Wake of Poseidon" is OK by me:)
Forget about manufacturer's specs. There is always a degree of variability. The best way to deal with this is play a test record and add or subtract weight until you get the resonance frequency where you want it. If you get between 8 and 12 Hz you are done. Put the record away until you change cartridges.
howardalex's avatar
howardalex
64 posts
 
@lewm  re the Shure V15 111 in the FR66s tonearm, I’ve now installed a new JICO replacement stylus and cantilever (which includes the suspension) so the cartridge should now be a high compliance job again (assuming it wasn’t due to the suspension seizing up due to age).
It sounds excellent and on the Hi Fi news lateral and vertical resonance tests there was minor resonance at 9hz  both lateral and vertical.
When I say sounds excellent I’m comparing it to the likes of LDR, Koetsu Jade d/c, exotic FR7s, SPU’s and Denon 103.
lewm
12,864 posts
 
Interesting.
Rules were made to be broken, especially in audio.
halcro's avatar
halcro OP
2,664 posts
 
If you get between 8 and 12 Hz you are done. Put the record away until you change cartridges.
@mijostyn, so you are saying there is NO difference to the 'sound' within this 8-12Hz Band....?
A 50% change is the Resonant Frequency has zero affect on the SOUND...?
But when we get to 13Hz (a mere 8% increase over 12Hz).....you will suddenly hear it?!
The conclusion from this (if it were true) is that it must be a logarithmic progression and the 'sound' will collapse spectacularly at 14Hz, 15Hz, 16Hz......
This is so easy to scientifically prove, there must be dozens of Phd Theses and 'Peer-Reviewed' White Papers on this very subject...?
Unfortunately there is NONE 🧐
Not one....zilch....bupkis....nada.
Oh there are plenty of 'Statements', 'Opinions posing as Fact', even 'unsubstantiated claims' by respected tonearm/turntable/cartridge designers.......
But not one single Peer-Reviewed Scientific White Paper demonstrating the relationship between Resonant Frequency and SOUND...🤯

You claim to have personal experiences to substantiate your convictions, but so do I....
I have literally tested hundreds of different arm/cartridge combinations using the Shure Audio Obstacle Course Test Record to obtain the 'real' Resonant Frequencies of the Arm/Cartridge combinations (theoretical calculations will NEVER be correct as Compliance is a 'moving target' as is Effective Mass).

Now I am NOT saying that there aren't 'differences' in the performances of various cartridges with various arms...🙃
I have spent the last ten years trying to find the 'happy' combinations (see my 'Hear My Cartridges' Thread).....
But the reasons for these differences are multifarious, complex and in many cases.....still unknown to us.
The design and material of the Headshell will have significant effects on the sound in almost ALL cases 🤗

I don't aim to convince you (or anyone else) who holds this misunderstood view of the Cartridge/Arm resonant Frequency 'myth'....
Sleep warm and cuddly with your convictions....
A world of great sounds is forever closed to you 👎

For those who have an open mind....you have nothing to lose by just trying it 🙃
Why wrack your brains getting your knickers in a knot over theoretical calculations when it's just so easy to try it and LISTEN...just as Howardalex did with his FR-66S and Shure?
Life is too short.
Let the music begin.....🎹🎼
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