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Cartridge Headshell Match

I recently purchased a Technics SL1200 GR.  

I currently have an Ortofon MC Rondo Red mounted.

I plan on getting another Headshell and mounting a Benz Micro Glider that I just had re-tipped on it.  

I noticed some headshells have azimuth adjustment which would be nice but weigh around 12 grams. 

I can get a technics style headshell with no azimuth adjustment that weighs around 7.6 grams.

The Benz Glider weighs  6.6 grams

The Ortofon MC Rondo weighs 10.5 grams and sounds great with the stock Technics headshell.  

 The Benz is lighter in weight than the Ortofon by almost 4 grams so would that better mate with a heavier headshell?

I know this subject has been covered many times before but it still confuses me a bit.
nicktheknife
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
I really don’t think I got my point across clearly.
I’ll try and simplify it here.

Turntable: Technics SL1200GR
Cartridge Mounted: Ortofon MC Rondo Red (wt. 10.5 g)
Headshell: Technics (wt. 7.6 g)

I want to mount my Benz Glider (wt. 6.6 g) on the turntable with a headshell that I don’t have yet. I’d prefer one with azimuth adjustment. What has been suggested is the LPGear 10 g headshell or the Jelco 12 g headshell.
I’m leaning toward the LPGEAR one because it is lighter.
But would the Jelco be a better match for the Benz because it is heavier?
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,760 posts
 
No! If you want to add some mass you can add this 3 gram headshell weight. I doubt you will have to!
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Headshell-Weight-Technics/dp/B00U1Y8V1K/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=786151235...

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Nick, the Benz is an intermediate compliance cartridge and your arm is on the heavier side. Go with the lightest headshell as you can always add weight. Much harder to take it away. Get the Hi Fi News Test Record. It has both vertical and lateral resonance tracks. You want between 8 and 12 Hz. I always shoot for between 8 and 10 Hz because I think the bass is better. You could be lucky and not have to add any weight but the test record is the only way to know for sure what you are doing and it is short money.
hdm
1,062 posts
 
The LP Gear and the Jelco are the same headshell!!!
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
mijostyn,
I have the Hi Fi News Test Record but have never used it before for cartridge/arm resonance testing.  I will break it out tomorrow and test my current combination of arm/headshell/cartridge(Ortofon) to see where the resonance of that combination lies.

hdm,
LP Gear makes two Zupreme headshells with Azimuth adjustment.  One is 10 grams the other is 12.1 grams.  
The Jelco is 12.1 grams.  Haven't found  a Jelco that is 10 grams.
The stock Technics is only 7.6 grams.  

As yogiboy and mijostyn pointed out, I can always add weight.  I was concerned that the Glider is only 6.6 grams and may need a heavier headshell.

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