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Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight

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Posted on November 4, 2024 at 12:33:46
Bikefi10
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: December 21, 2022
 My tt is a Musichall mmf 9.1 about 10-12 years old. The 12" tonearm is marked Project Carbon.
The Project tonearm database site shows 3 different versions 12c, 12cc, 12 cc EVO. Nothing named Project Carbon.

Anyone know which version I have?

I just bought a Soundsmith Zephyr MKlll which weighs 12 grams. If my tonearm is the 12c there is not even a counter weight to balance a 12 gram cart. I did alot of research on compliance, but didnt check my counter weight till cart arrived.

I emailed Musichall and a Project site, but if anyone can help here I would appreciate it.


 

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RE: Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 4, 2024 at 17:09:53
tlea
Audiophile

Posts: 710
Location: New Orleans
Joined: January 20, 2002
Contributor
  Since: October 29, 2006
 That's a nice rig you have there.

Photos would be helpful, but from your brief description I think your arm is a 12c. Looks like the stock counterweight will go up to 13g. It is not an arm I am familiar with, but there are a lot of third party vendors out there offering counterweight modifications. Maybe try posting over on the Vinyl Engine Pro-Ject forum (link below).








. . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .

 

RE: Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 5, 2024 at 07:19:11
Bikefi10
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: December 21, 2022



Tlea.... thanks for reply. Ill try to post a pic of one I have handy and Ill post on vinyl engine too.

I also have 2 counter weights one is marked 45 the other 60. Not sure if that indicates weight.
The Project Database site indicates 120g, 125g 142g weights needed for a 12g cart, but that is for the 12cc and 12cc evo. No option for the 12c version.

I see Musichall now puts their name on the Project tonearms they use so hard to tell exactly what versions are used.

Still waiting on my reply from Musichall, Project and another vendor.

This is frustrating. Wish I bought a VPI tt. Ive had better responses from USA companys.

 

Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 5, 2024 at 13:35:52
Basher52
Audiophile

Posts: 125
Joined: February 18, 2016
 After you get the set-up / alignment sorted out, and the Zephyr III broken in, plz update on your impression on the cart's musical performance etc. Note that the contact line stylus profile needs careful attention to geometry, though when locked-in you should find that it rewards with an abundance of natural, unforced detail.

 

RE: Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 6, 2024 at 22:50:05
flood2
Audiophile

Posts: 2598
Joined: January 11, 2011
 The current crop of Pro-Ject arms shows compatibility with up to 14g cartridges so I am surprised if you can't balance your Zephyr and set 2g nominal VTF. You can easily add mass to the counterweight you have - you can add small weights in a lump of BluTac stuck to the counterweight or behind it on the tonearm pipe stub if there is clearance. In fact this is the better option of the two since you can shift the counterweight a little closer to the pivot which will minimize the moment of inertia.
Regards Anthony

"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats

 

RE: Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 7, 2024 at 06:08:38
Bikefi10
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: December 21, 2022



TBH I have not even tried to balance tonearm with the new Zephyr cart. Wanted to make sure I have what is needed before the big change over. Its not a removeable headshell and the Zephyr Line Contact Stylus requires percision setup.
The Pro-ject Tonearm Database site shows different weights for various carts. My current cart is 6.5 grams and the Database shows a different counter weight for a 12 g cart.
I actually did just consider adding extra weights or even adding a 2nd counterweight if it fits. I have 2 counterweights marked 25 and 60. Im guessing that indicates grams.
After research, I believe I have the 9cc tonearm.
The measurement is from pivot point to center of mounting screw holes not entire lenght of arm.

 

RE: Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 7, 2024 at 13:58:31
flood2
Audiophile

Posts: 2598
Joined: January 11, 2011
 According to the specifications for the 9cc, 4 counterweights are available of which #29 matches a cartridge in the range 10 to 14g. Perhaps get in touch directly with Pro-Ject or try this retailer
Regards Anthony

"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats

 

RE: Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 8, 2024 at 07:25:08
Bikefi10
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: December 21, 2022
 The finding is...this is a 9cc tonearm. Different than 9cc EVO and for a 12 gram cart a #1940875003 or "03" 95 gram counterweight is recommended.

The number on the counterweight is not its gram weight.
Call me crazy but seems like the actual weight would be an appropriate marking. Glad my gym weights arent marked with a cryptic number.

Appearently Pro-ject changes counterweights for each version of tonearm. So much for customer convenience.

As flood2 replied, Im going to 1st try adding a few grams of weight if my counterweights wont balance.

Start simple and least costly, right?

 

RE: Project Carbon Tonearm Counter Weight, posted on November 18, 2024 at 09:02:58
Bikefi10
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: December 21, 2022
 And the result is.. While waiting for the 95g counterweight to arrive, I added a couple washers with playdough to supplement the 87g counterweight. Spent over an hour checking and rechecking the 5 settings for the Zephyr MKIII cart.
This required bright light from different angles, my strong bifocals and a magnifing glass. What can say, Im in my 60s.

After about 15 hours of record play time, I started critical listening. I would say Im hearing more detail in fair to average recordings and overall great sound in my premo Analog Production pressings.

So going from a $150.00 cart to a $1500.00 (I paid much less) cart made an improvement. Idk if its a 10x better improvement, but that seems to be the
game with audio upgrades, big money for baby steps.

Next upgrade is replaceing xo caps on my Maggie 1.7is with big poly caps waiting for my time.

 

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