Experience with different headshells

[Maril555]

I’d like to hear about actual experiences comparing various headshells.
Specifically - currently i have TechDAS TDC01 cartridge on SME 3012R arm in original SME headshell
On Melco 3560 turntable.
I know of many people recommending that headshell on SME 3012 R tonearm, but I’m really curious if
Anybody tried different headshells on 3012R (Yamamoto, FR, Arche)?
Please share

 

[hongkongfoufou]

I have can't answer you because I have not your setup.
With my turntables, I can affirm there is big difference between Ortofon LH 9000, Yamamoto HS3, Yamamoto HS4, Oyaide....and it's depends your cartridge too.
Good luck.

 

[Maril555]

I have can't answer you because I have not your setup.
With my turntables, I can affirm there is big difference between Ortofon LH 9000, Yamamoto HS3, Yamamoto HS4, Oyaide....and it's depends your cartridge too.
Good luck.

Thank you, understood
Currently I’m experimenting with Yamamoto HS5 (Titanium) and it’s certainly different from the original SME headshell

 

[DasguteOhr]

Orsonic av headshell was always sound improvement on sme, very nice bass, the three-dimensional image and location was significantly better.
From 12 gramm- 17 gramm I have always operated it without a finger stirrup.

 

[Maril555]

Orsonic av headshell was always sound improvement on sme, very nice bass, the three-dimensional image and location was significantly better.
From 12 gramm- 17 gramm I have always operated it without a finger stirrup.
View attachment 161235

Thank you. Did you have a chance to compare it to any of the Yamamoto models?

 

[DasguteOhr]

Thank you. Did you have a chance to compare it to any of the Yamamoto models?

No sorry. Only some FR headshell sounds agile pretty good , but had not solid stabilty and cleaness of orsonic headshell.

P.S 2juki shop japan you can get new orsonics

Security Measure | eBay

www.ebay.com

 

[Holmz]

I got a the Korf ceramic head shell .
They tested a bunch of head shells with accelerometers and their HS got rid of a lot of sibilant sounds that I had, so I went with measurements over “flowery words” and marketing.

They are out of Germany, and I rate it as a good thing to use.

 

[Lsipes1965]

I have 2 Korf. 2 Korf spacers I use on generic Ebony headshells available on the bay. An Ortofon Lh4000, stock Technics and they all sound different. The best combo I’ve found with my Soundsmith are the Ebony with the Korf spacers. The detail I get from both I think I’ve maxed out my rig…….

 

[hongkongfoufou]

I’d like to hear about actual experiences comparing various headshells.
Specifically - currently i have TechDAS TDC01 cartridge on SME 3012R arm in original SME headshell
On Melco 3560 turntable.
I know of many people recommending that headshell on SME 3012 R tonearm, but I’m really curious if
Anybody tried different headshells on 3012R (Yamamoto, FR, Arche)?
Please share

I am happy with Yamamoto HS-4 and Ortofon LH 9000 and Oyaide HS-CF.
Choose Furutech LA source 101 for the calbe. This is a great improvement.

 

[Maril555]

Orsonic av headshell was always sound improvement on sme, very nice bass, the three-dimensional image and location was significantly better.
From 12 gramm- 17 gramm I have always operated it without a finger stirrup.
View attachment 161235

BTW, do any of them allow for azimuth adjustment?

 

[DasguteOhr]

BTW, do any of them allow for azimuth adjustment?

Only the av 101 have azimuth and the most stable which is modeled on the Clearaudio Titan Stability.

 

[Stanley-Engineering]

Something special

 

[Maril555]

Something special

Do tell, please.
Looks interesting

 

[Bill Demars]

I have been using the Audio Silente Graphite head shell now for 5 plus years and it still is my reference. I am awaiting a Phasemation PP-2000 and will try Simone’s head-shell on that and see how it fares in comparison to Phasemation’s own CS-1200. I can’t say that I have a wealth of other shells, but I have preferred it to both Ikeda shells, Oyaide, Arche, Yamamoto. It has what I like-density, good bass extension, clean lower midrange and non-fatiguing highs.
I should mention that the arm is an Ikeda IT-407.

 

[Maril555]

I have been using the Audio Silente Graphite head shell now for 5 plus years and it still is my reference. I am awaiting a Phasemation PP-2000 and will try Simone’s head-shell on that and see how it fares in comparison to Phasemation’s own CS-1200. I can’t say that I have a wealth of other shells, but I have preferred it to both Ikeda shells, Oyaide, Arche, Yamamoto. It has what I like-density, good bass extension, clean lower midrange and non-fatiguing highs.
I should mention that the arm is an Ikeda IT-407.

Thank you for the info,
Does Audio Silente allow for azimuth adjustment?

 

[Bill Demars]

Yes, there is a set-screw on the side that you can loosen, enabling you to make the necessary azimuth adjustments.

Thank you for the info,
Does Audio Silente allow for azimuth adjustment?

 

[Maril555]

Thank you

 

[jeff1225]

I really like the Archie

 

[jeff1225]

I also think the carbon fiber Yamamoto is quite special.

 

[Maril555]

So far I have tried titanium and Ebony Yamamoto on two different tonearms- SME-3012R and Richard Mack modified FR66S
Titanium works great on both, but with the Ebony results were somewhat unexpected.
On FR66S it sounds brighter and sharper then Titanium, somewhat not “fully balanced”.
On the other hand, the same Ebony on SME sounds great, very balanced, musical and engaging