2. analog
  3. 1412834749

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
billwojo
397 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.
A very common complaint with new users of the Denon DL-103 is a very light bass. Adding headshell weight and more counter balance weight transforms it's lack luster performance like magic.
That's some real world experience echoed across the web.

BillWojo
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
8,570 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
13,369 posts
 
Interesting.
Rules were made to be broken, especially in audio.
More to discover