Resonance evaluator technics sl-1210mk2 + sumiko + m97xe

[VictorA]

Im not too sure how to use the cartridge/tonearms resonance evaluator i want to see if using a technics sl1210mk2 with standard tonearm and sumiko hs-12 headshell will work well with my shure m97xe?

[Trackside]

It should work well but make sure you set the VTA by the top of the headshell and not the arm being parallel with the record

[VictorA]

It should work well but make sure you set the VTA by the top of the headshell and not the arm being parallel with the record

aren't you supposed to adjust the VTA by ear?

[thommo_work]

I would say that getting the headshell (and therefore cart) parallel is the best starting point for any fine tuning by ear.

I think trackside has found (as have I) that some headshells can have a slight upward cant in their geometry, them meaning the arm may be parallel but cart could effectively be tail down.

At least getting the shell+cart parallel gives you half a chance of a known starting point if you want to tweak by ear.

[Trackside]

The stock Technics headshell has a rubber washer and a single pin on the plug to engage the locking thread. This means when it's tightened down it bends the headshell up. To compensate the end of the arm is therefore not 90deg so that the arm and headshell are parallel when used together. The sumiko has no washer and 2 pins so the headshell engages slightly nose down. VTA should be set by ear (if you ears can hear it ) but in the absence of 'golden ears' and as a starting point then it's good to start at zero.

[goatbreath]

Engaging the brush on the M97xe helps deal with compliance issues..

[VictorA]

do you peeps think that using a lower mass wooden headshell will work better with the m97xe than the sumiko hs-12? apparently it works better with low mass but im not sure of this compliance thing, is it as long as i can balance the cartridge with the arm weight am i fine?

[goatbreath]

I have both a Sumiko HS12 and a Low mass ADC headshell,,it definitely sounds better in the ADC one,,that is even with the brush down..

[VictorA]

I have both a Sumiko HS12 and a Low mass ADC headshell,,it definitely sounds better in the ADC one,,that is even with the brush down..

Yeh i actually just found a ADC headshell on ebay before i read this as i thought the sumiko would be slightly too heavy for this cartridge its one of the lighter ADC ones with the bowed round arm, it's 5.8g without the wires, should be perfect for me

[goatbreath]

Sounds good,,mine s the slightly heavier LMG 1..So probably an ever better match than my one..