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New Headshel?

98.204.138.158

Posted on May 15, 2022 at 07:15:48

Phil_S
Audiophile

Posts: 1145
Location: Washington DC
Joined: July 17, 2003

My headshel is having issues, starting to hum when I touch it and sometimes a channel drops. It doesn't have asmith adjustment and must be at least 40 years old.

So I'm looking for a reasonably priced replacement, less than $150 including headshel leads. Looking at various sites they're all over the place.

It's going on a SL-1200 Mk 3D, AT VM540ML cartridge, tonearm damper from KAB, and Cardas rewire.

Recommendations/Experience?

Thanks

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RE: New Headshel?

Uncle Mike

03:48:41 05/16/22

RE: New Headshel?

Phil_S

11:55:04 05/16/22

Phil_S

13:06:49 05/15/22

...

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RE: New Headshel?

Uncle Mike

03:48:41 05/16/22

RE: New Headshel?

Phil_S

11:55:04 05/16/22

Phil_S

13:06:49 05/15/22

RE: New Headshel?

Joe Backer

09:59:32 05/15/22

RE: New Headshel?

geoff

10:36:18 05/15/22

I have 2 of those, nice and very well made ! /nt

Story

18:08:56 05/15/22

RE: New Headshel?

BillWojo

08:56:39 05/15/22

RE: New Headshel?

Phil_S

10:57:41 05/15/22

Perhaps made for Audioquest by ...

reelsmith.

12:51:31 05/15/22

RE: Perhaps made for Audioquest by ...

Phil_S

16:25:45 05/15/22

RE: New Headshel?

BillWojo

11:11:00 05/15/22

RE: New Headshel?, posted on May 15, 2022 at 08:56:39

BillWojo
Audiophile

Posts: 186
Location: NJ
Joined: July 7, 2017

Sounds like an open ground somewhere, not necessarily something wrong with your headshell. Check all your interconnects and any ground leads. Unplug, check for corrosion and if you have any Deoxit, wipe them with that.
I take it that this is a recent issue? Have you moved anything around?
It's not a bad idea to carefully unplug each connection at least once a year just to break up any corrosion that may be forming.
That's a cool headshell your using, I like it. Who made it?

BillWojo

RE: New Headshel?, posted on May 15, 2022 at 09:59:32

Joe Backer
Audiophile

Posts: 1033
Joined: July 10, 2011

If it does turn out to be your headshell, I've always had great success with the Yamamoto headshells. I live near the ocean and I've never had corrosion or failure and they are very well made.

http://mockingbirddistribution.com/bin-page/

RE: New Headshel?, posted on May 15, 2022 at 10:36:18
geoff Audiophile Posts: 3499 Joined: April 5, 2000 Contributor Since: September 10, 2003	Just bought this as I needed a lighter headshell than the stock Jelco. They are available in a variety of weights.

RE: New Headshel?, posted on May 15, 2022 at 10:57:41
Phil_S Audiophile Posts: 1145 Location: Washington DC Joined: July 17, 2003	That's an Audioquest headshell purchased from GNP Audio Pasadena CA. in the early 80's. No asmith adjustment.

RE: New Headshel?, posted on May 15, 2022 at 11:11:00
BillWojo Audiophile Posts: 186 Location: NJ Joined: July 7, 2017	Adioquest, I'll keep an eye out for one, thanks. I'd start with carefully reseating the cartridge leads. Your dealing with minuscule voltages, any resistance can cause an issue. Work your way to the Phono-preamp and preamp from there. BillWojo

Perhaps made for Audioquest by ..., posted on May 15, 2022 at 12:51:31

reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13131
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
Since: January 19, 2010

...Orsonic ??

Dean.

reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

Sit Rep, posted on May 15, 2022 at 13:06:49
Phil_S Audiophile Posts: 1145 Location: Washington DC Joined: July 17, 2003	As a proof of concept I mounted an old AT120e onto the stock headshell, no hummmmm. Now to Deoxit, clean, snug up, etc...with my les than optimal eyesight this could take an hour or two!

RE: Perhaps made for Audioquest by ..., posted on May 15, 2022 at 16:25:45
Phil_S Audiophile Posts: 1145 Location: Washington DC Joined: July 17, 2003	I probably was a private label product from Orsonic. I really like those.

I have 2 of those, nice and very well made ! /nt, posted on May 15, 2022 at 18:08:56
Story Audiophile Posts: 10427 Location: NJ Joined: December 11, 2000

RE: New Headshel?, posted on May 16, 2022 at 03:48:41
Uncle Mike	What's with the exposed wire on the leads? I'd look there first.

RE: New Headshel?, posted on May 16, 2022 at 11:55:04
Phil_S Audiophile Posts: 1145 Location: Washington DC Joined: July 17, 2003	Coated

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