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I just received a "heavy" counterweight for the Project 9 tonearm on my mmf-7 and something doesn't seem right. I bought it to replace the the stock counterweight, which has to be at the far end of the tonearm shaft with a 6.8g cartridge. The box lists the "heavy" counterweight mass as 80g but it weighs just about the same as the stock counterweight (using a simple balance beam) even though it's about 10mm longer than the stock counterweight. Obviously the metal used in the "heavy" counterweight has a much lower density. So, I have to set this "heavy" counterweight at the limits of travel on the tonearm shaft just like the stock counterweight. It's NOT a heavyweight counterweight.Does anyone know what's going on here? The Project technical sheet lists the stock counterweight on the basic 9 arm as appropriate for 6-10g cartridges and the optional "heavy" counterweight as appropriate for 8-12g cartridges. Neither one of these counterweights works right with a 6.8g cartridge so what gives? Any ideas?
It aint' heavy, it's my bother.
Follow Ups:
I have a Pro-Ject RPM-4, with the (then) standard Pro-ject 9 aluminum arm. About 6 months ago, I upgraded from a Goldring Eroica to a Sumiko BPS Evo III, which is a much heavier cart. The original, standard counterweight wasn't enough for the BPS's 8.3 grams (the standard counterweight had to sit all the way out the back of the arm to balance the BPS).So I asked MusicDirect here in Chicago to order me the next size up in weight for a counterweight from Pro-Ject/Sumiko, but when it came, it was the exact same thing that I already had. I sent it back, and they sent the right one, which, surprisingly, was smaller but still heavier than the original one.
The point is, it seemed to me like the whole process with Sumiko/Pro-Ject/MD was confused, as if no one had ever ordered the heavier counterweight before. So if your dealer simply sent in the wrong order, or Sumiko/Pro-Ject filled it wrong, you may think you've got the right thing, but you don't. I know what you want exists -- I have it, bit it just may take more than one try to get it right.
and I called them this morning so will be sending the "heavy" counterweight back. Hopefully they do have a true heavyweight counterweight available.Thanks for the encouragement. It's unfortunate that Pro-ject has made this counterweight business unecessarily confusing. They should just have the counterweights described by their weight and length and then specify which counterweight to use for each of the arms (and 'tables) they manufacture for a given range of cartridge weights. No "light" or "standard" or "heavy" since they're relative terms and not consistently applied.
of purchasing a Shelter 501, which would have required a heavier counterweight. When I spoke to a Music Direct sales representative I was told a heavier counterweight was not available at the time so that was that and the Eroica LX @ 5.5 grams has been a good performer. It would have been a simple matter for me to use a piece of hardware (as in a nut) to increase mass and weight, but I worried the arm bearings may suffer in the long run. In any case, my current choices are limited. However, if I needed the extra counterweight I would try the inelegant solution and use your stylus force gauge for correct VTF and ignore the counterweight dial.Also, since the "heavier" counterweight you purchased in 10 mm longer--but in fact not heavier--it will extend further back on the tonearm and may cause problems if you play your records with the dust cover down.
I suppose one day I'll have to deal with your current issues as well, but your current bother is informative to all of us MMF-7 owners, thank you.
Lastly, if you have access to a postal scale, you can find out the real weight of the counterweight in question.
The counterweight that did show up was quite a bit longer and so, yes, it would interfere with the dustcover down. Which is what was happening with the stock counterweight because it was so far back on the tonearm shaft.I took both the stock counterweight and the "heavy" 80g counterweight and weighed them on a postal scale and here's what I found:
> stock counterweight was 3.1 oz = ~87.9 g
> "heavy" counterweight was 2.8 oz = ~79.4 gSo, the "heavy" counterweight sold to me was actually lighter than the stock counterweight. I'm sending the counterweight back and they're going to see if they actually have a true heavyweight counterweight.
I seem to remember the specs that were in my Debut III manual as being incorrectly listed. I sent an e-mail to Pro-Ject and they got back to me with a confirmation that the info was in fact incorrect (I think they said they were working on a corrected manual) along with the correct info within a day or so.
with their descriptions. "Heavy", "light", and "standard" are meaningless as descriptors when there are numerous configurations of the tonearms and counterweights that they manufacture.
Wouldn't you get a better answer if you directed this to Sumiko or who ever sold you the counter weight?
Reason I ask is that I purchased it from a stereo retailer and not directly from Sumiko/Pro-ject or Music Hall. I've found that Pro-ject, oddly enough, manufactures a whole range of counterweights for their turntables and Music Hall apparently uses a select few from that range. Sumiko may or may not even be in the equation since Music Hall sources from Pro-ject.So, I thought perhaps that someone has had a similar experience with the Music Hall counterweights and had some insight before I start making phone calls and sending emails.
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