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Tonearm / Cartridge Compatibility

I have purchased an Audio Technica AT-1100 tonearm and want to know if an Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge is compatible. I see comments about tonearms and cartridges being high, medium, and low compliance. If I install the Quintet Blue on the AT-1100 tonearm, how will I know if it is compatible? Will I be able to hear/ recognize the compatibility or incompatibility?

rpgarrett
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,661 posts
 

This calculator will give you an idea of how the cartridge and arm will be compatible!

http://www.mh-audio.nl/Calculators/RF.html

rpgarrett OP
2 posts
 

Thanks for the information to my request. Using the link provided by yogiboy and if my data inputs are correct, the tonearm resonance frequency between the AT 1100 tonearm and Orfoton Quintet Blue calculates to 10.44 Hz. The calculate tonearm - cartridge capability website recommends a resonance between 7 to 12 Hz range and limiting the range even further between 9 to 11 Hz is more beneficial to reducing resonance. 

I appreciate the information, and this is a great group of knowledgeable people to assist those less informed about audio systems.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

The removable head shell jobs also give a way to change mass.
I have an Ortofon and a Korf head shell to go from lighter towards heavier.

Some cartridges come with aluminium, steel and brass screws to also fine tune the mass.
(Many ways to skin a cat)

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