I see that there is a Triplanar II upgraded to VI on audiogon. TP VI is supposed to have effective mass of only around 11 gm. With my Denon 103R retipped with Sapphire cantilever, I probably need a higher mass. I can increase the effective mass with a head shell weight. Where does one get such a thing (other than taping pennies)?
recommendation for a high end analog system
I never had an analog system until last month. I bought a 1989 SOTA TT with vacuum/Sumiko MMT arm/Dennon 103R retyped with elliptical/sapphire cantilever. My phono is Kitsune MK5 WBT that is amplified by Don Sach 2 tube preamp and Pass X350.5. My speaker are Sound Lab M545 ESL. The TT has been very well maintained despite its age. It sounded very good until I heard my friend's system which has the same TT but with Lyra Skala cartridge and first generation Triplanar arm (Spectral pre/amp). His sounded noticeably clearer and fuller. What is the best way to get a noticeable improvement in my system without breaking the bank (or before I have to squint to hear the improvement). I would love to hear some wisdom from analog-philes.
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Yes, 11g is the standard quoted effective mass for the 9-inch Triplanar, regardless of the "version" as indicated by Roman numerals. And yes, that is probably not the best choice in terms of effective mass for the Denon 103R, but it is probably a good choice for any of several other modern LOMC cartridges that have higher compliance. You could add any 5g weight at or near the headshell of the TP and be in good range for the 103R. Double-sided carpet tape would do the job as adhesive. Thought you had decided on a Graham. |
I meant get a 5g weight and use the double-sided tape to affix it to the headshell. You can use any sort of flat disc that weighs 3-7g. You would need an accurate scale to weigh the chosen object. Or ask Tri Mai, the maker of the Triplanar. Maybe he has a more "professional" attachment for increasing effective mass of the Triplanar. I think a US nickel (5 cents) weighs 5g. If not a nickel then some other common US coin does weigh 5g. There are innumerable options for adding weight. You can also wrap the arm wand in tape, which also reduces resonance. Etc. Don't forget also that the weight of the cartridge itself adds to effective mass, and the Denon is fairly hefty. Aftermarket mods to the Denon often also increase its weight (see Zu and a few others); you could look into one of those. (But I personally would not spend more money on the Denon.) Also, use heavy screws (and nuts if needed) to mount the Denon; that also adds to effective mass. |
SoundSmith sells sets of headshell screws with different weights for this purpose. The bad news is that the screws are quite pricey, something like $40 for a set of four different weights: https://sound-smith.com/accessories/ez-mount-cartridge-screws |
- 105 posts total