With the Sumiko headshell, whether you need the extra counterweight depends on the cartridge weight (duh!). I use it with a Denon DL-160, which is a fairly light cartridge at 4.8g, and I can *just* get by without the extra counterweight. Anything above 5g and you'll probably need it.
Even so, I generally use the extra weight anyway, which puts the larger calibrated counterweight closer to the pivot point. I like the sound slightly better that way.
Needle Doctor now offers a the Ortofon SH-4 Headshell, which looks like it would weigh less than the Sumiko but be more rigid than the stock Technics shell. But I haven't been able to get any info on its actual weight. It even costs less than the Technics.
Even so, I generally use the extra weight anyway, which puts the larger calibrated counterweight closer to the pivot point. I like the sound slightly better that way.
Needle Doctor now offers a the Ortofon SH-4 Headshell, which looks like it would weigh less than the Sumiko but be more rigid than the stock Technics shell. But I haven't been able to get any info on its actual weight. It even costs less than the Technics.