Detachable Head shell or Not?

The idea of having a continuous Tonearm Internal Wiring connect to the Cart's Tag Wire Connection Pins, and be free of any connections util it is RCA/XLR terminated to connect to the Phonostage is an age old discussion and will always live on, as the idea of reducing the wiring connections along the wiring route / signal path is seen to have benefits, as the signal path is a continuous material produced from a wiring of choice, as well as having the options added for choices on Tag Wire connectors and RCA/XLR Connectors.

The method when adopted will allow the user, if involved in the selections of materials used in the assembly to feel empowered in the choices, and instrumental in producing a bespoke design for a used device.

The less seen discussions on this subject are the importance of the Wire Type selected and the impact of the loom within the Wand and Pillar on the function of a Tonearm.

A wire needs to be extremely supple offering the minimum resistance to the free operation of the Tonearm, with '0' impact on the Tonearms Mechanical Function being the goal. To achieve a wire that can be routed within the Wand / Pillar and not create an unwanted level of interference to the free operation, a very small gauge wire is the usual candidate, usually found in approx' 30 Gauge (0.2 - 0.3mm).         Wire Gauge such as these will be available with different sheathing and different wire production methods, and even to the eye on observation appear to be extremely supple, certain wire types when compared are with a resistance to yeild their form.

When a wiring is within the Wand and Passing into the Pillar, there is a critical interface point now met within the assembly, where the bespoke chosen wire type and the produced wire loom, will if not very carefully thought out, be a detrimental  impacted on the Tonearms designed function, as the wire choice and configuration for the wire within the Wand / Pillar, will be able to effect the function of the tonearm and impact on the free movement that the bearing assemblies have been designed to create.                                                                                                            Additionally the impact of the chosen wire and methods used to route it,  can potentially require that built in ancillary devices onto the Tonearm may need to be set up to be over compensatory, to be used to counteract the impact of the chosen wire in use, as the ancillaries are designed to create the absolute control of the Stylus Interface when in contact witha LP. Their design function is not to correct a  Tonearm that has encountered a resistance to allow it to move with freedom, from a outcome of a wiring design change.

A Tonearm with a exchanged wiring from the original used wire, but uses the original designs terminations for the wire used in the routing of the wire, is now a bespoke design, that if completed by a competent technician should offer the same mechanical interface properties of the original design.                                                Any comments made on the perceived changes being assessed as a result of a different wire in use are going to be a subjective description, and only available from a very limited amount of individuals who might have received a demonstration, maybe even as little as one individual, that is ensuring their choice is the best option. 

 A Tonearm with a exchanged wiring from the original design, and is produced to have a Wire run continuous from Cart' Pins to Phonostage connections is no longer a design that is the intention of the original producer, it is now a Bespoke Modification and if this modified design is not very carefully produced, where the signal quality is the least of the considerations and using the materials most suitable for the mechanical interface is the utmost consideration, the modification can quite easily prove to be inferior to the original designs end performance.

The Bespoke Modified Arm does not really qualify to be referred to as the original model any longer, it becomes a Sub Category, Such as 'Big Joe's Modded SFR iv mk vii' as it is a substantial design change, that if not carried out by a individual that has the knowledge, can become Tonearm that can impact detrimentally on the original designs function.

From a Personal Stand Point, I am using a Tonearm that is a Bespoke Modification to a Branded model. The design on offer was carefully assessed prior to entering into the purchase, and the dialogue about the modifications, the selected parts in use, the R&D, the micro mechanics being considered, and the friendship formed with the designer is still ongoing. 

I also have in my possession a further selection / surplus of Tonearms, of which one is a Branded Tonearm with a Manufacturer Designed continuous Internal Tonearm Wiring.                                                                                                           None of these Tonearms are able to offer the impression made by the Bespoke Modified Model.

To go out and buy a 'one off' version of a modified Tonearm without having full knowledge of the design considerations, or donate a very respected Tonearm to have a Bespoke and Unique modified Tonearm produced from a service that does not freely communicate the design parameters being used to ensure the Tonearms function is the total consideration, Fortunately is a route I am avoiding.     

I have shared my experience with and impressions of four different tonearm wires in (actually, with the exception of the VDH, “on” is more accurate) my Eminent Technology ET2 tangential tracking arm- the stock VDH silver clad copper, Cardas, Discovery and finally AudioNote silver in a “continuous run from cartridge clips to preamp”. I won’t bore anyone with those impressions again. I also did share that aside from the clearly superior sonics of the AN, the fact that it is far and away the thinnest and most supple of the four allowed for much easier and consistent balancing of the arm. I still own the three different replacement wire looms.

I bring this up again only to point out that it is entirely possible for owners of pivoting tonearms to use a wire loom of a very supple wire such as the AN to run a “continuous from cartridge clips to preamp” EXTERNALLY while leaving the arm in its stock form. That is precisely what I did with my back up arm (Syrinx PU3) when I needed to take the ET2 off my turntable; once when the air pump broke down and once when I needed to dismantle the arm to clean the air capillaries.

What I have done is secure the AN wire (twisted pairs) to the underside of the arm tube at two or three points along its span with thin strips of easily removable painters trim tape. Then create a generous loop around the pivot point, dressed and secured at some point where the arm’s movement won’t be impaired and then continue onward to the preamp. The AN is so thin and supple that whatever amount of additional resistance it may add to the movement of the tonearm is unlikely to be a negative factor; it is that flexible compared to the others. Of course, the wire is totally unshielded and in some listening room environments this may cause issues with noise. I have not experienced this.

Point is that the curious can experience first hand the benefits of “continuous to preamp” tonearm wiring without taking the plunge to full modification of their arm. Frankly, I’ve always been surprised that only one participant in these discussions has ever tried this; to the best of my knowledge.  When one considers the amounts that are spent on tweaks and other items that end up in “the drawer” no longer used, the cost of trying this is very reasonable. Moreover, if one likes what one hears perhaps the very same wire can be supplied to a professional modifier and reduce the cost of a more permanent internal wiring. I would be shocked if most who try this were not, likewise, shocked at the improvement in the sound of their lp playback.

Jafox, Given the difficulty you describe in comparing tonearm with vs tonearm without, and with which I agree, I choose a second best option, which is to listen for several weeks on a regular basis to one setup in my own system where I know intimately every component in the pathway, and then to change from setup A to setup B and listen again for an extended period of time to B. Ideally, that would be followed by a second audition of A. But you’re quite right, it’s a comparison with more than one variable.

what tonearm offers both a continuous wire connection AND an interchangeable headshell?

**** listen for several weeks on a regular basis to one setup in my own system where I know intimately every component in the pathway, and then to change from setup A to setup B and listen again for an extended period of time to B. Ideally, that would be followed by a second audition of A. ****

Exactly. Trust your ears! I recognize the influence of “placebo effect”, but IMO the road to the best possible sound from one’s system is to keep a healthy amount of skepticism always secondary to what we actually hear.

'what tonearm offers both a continuous wire connection AND an interchangeable headshell? '

In reply to the above inquiry, the following is a sentence from a previous mail posted by myself within this Thread.

'Very recently the arm engineer has produced a upgrade detachable Headshell for the arm, that has a much improved coupling to the Wand.'

This redesign for the Headshell has a Removable Part and continuous Tonearm Wire.

The option to route wire continuous to the Phonostage is an option, as well as the option being available, that will omit the commonly seen wire connections at the Headshell / Wand interface but make use the earlier produced models, upgraded termination points for the wire when routed within the wand.

@frogman I am totally on board with your suggestion about routing a Wire Externally for the purpose of trials, and I am due to commence with this on a few differing but Bespoke Tonearm Designs during the upcoming months.

I already have had deliveries of ultra pure Silver and Copper Wires where 0.3mm OD is a sheathed version and the OD is less for the Wires that have a insulating lacquer without a Sheath. 

I am not sure if a Lacquered Wire will be welcomed as a part to be routed within the Wand, but time will tell, especially if it is a high on the list wire for the impression being made.