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Increase tonearm mass to match low compliance cart


I have a Rega RB250 which has an effective mass of 11 grams.
I want to try a Denon DL-103R cartridge but the 5cu compliance
of this cart doesn't match with the tonearm mass.

I heard I could use brass bolts to affix the cart to arm, the weight
of the brass increasing tonearm mass to nudge resonance into
acceptable frequency range.

Has anyone tried this? I hear Denon's compliance specs might be
lower than reality. I'm a newbie, can anyone recommend an effective
mass that will work well with the DL-103R?
binar
pauly
1,012 posts
 
Hi Binar

Your calculations are correct, but a DL103 compliance is higher than 5cu/dyne. A number of posters on the vinyl asylum had tested them and I believe found it to be around 12cy/dyne.

In short, it will work well with your RB.

If you are skeptical and want to add some weight, I suggest you use some blue tack.

Regards
Paul
binar OP
6 posts
 
Thanks, fellas.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Binar,

Hdm and Pauly are correct, and so is Dan_Ed. You'll get a noticeable, audible and enjoyable improvement by adding TWL's HIFI mod to your arm, especially with low-medium compliance cartridges like a 103R. I know. I've done it.

Here's the thread. It's well worth the read. TWL's mod does exactly what he described.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1032024188&read&keyw&zzstrange+tonearm+tweak

Doug
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