What Does a Cartridge Compliance/Tonearm Mass Mismatch Sound Like?


OK, analogue experts....what would it look/sound like if your set up included a cartridge whose compliance is not well matched with the tonearm it is mated to?
128x128dodgealum

Hi Raul,

Believe it or not that was a compliant MI cartridge(MMIII) mounted on an Ittok LVII. It was a "borderline" match but still clearly not quite good enough. In 4 out of 5 cases the sound of this combination was sublime but very fast warps were its undoing.

Best regards,

Thanks, gents. Is it correct to say that there are different DEGREES of mismatch which might manifest differently? What I am hearing is low frequency rumble/distortion that is inaudible unless the volume is cranked up. Interestingly, the rumble/distortion exists during quiet/silent passages so this does not appear to be external vibrations from high SPLs disturbing the table, which is well isolated. I checked and the cartridge setup appears correct (overhang, VTF, etc) so it does not appear related to this either. Could there be a slight mismatch that is only audible when the volume control is aggressively amplifying the tonearm resonance? This is a buddies set up (Systemdeck II with a Rega arm and Goldring Eroica) which SHOULD be an OK match. Unfortunately, he lives quite a ways from me so I'm not able to do a lot of listening and intervention but thought I would get some opinions in an effort to help him out.
It does not have one possible sound. You can have a cartridge too stiff for a very low mass tonearm. It will cause some resonance in the interaction between the stylus and the arm mass. And, you can have a cartridge too compliant for a tone arm with more mass than required, That will also distort the sound because the stylus will not be stable as it tracks the groove. All tonearms affect and will color the sound of every cartridge. As long as it sounds good/great to your ears? That’s what counts. I used to be a repairman for a vintage TT company, and sold audio after wards. No tonearm cartridge combination will be 100% neutral in the truest sense. What matters is what sounds good to your ears. If you want to know what is as close to neutral as it gets? Get your hands on some master tapes, and play on a state of the art reel to reel. Otherwise... shoot for what will sound good to your ears.  There is no perfect match between a tonearm and cartridge, as far as neutrality.  Only a match that sounds perfect to you, is a good match. High compliance needs a low mass arm.  Low compliance may need a higher mass arm to prevent the stylus vibration effecting the arm vibration...  But,  there are even exceptions to that,  as with a Decca London.  Again.. if it sounds good?  Be content.