Swapping the MMF 5 for an SL-1210M5G

06-20-08: Tvad
The Cartridge Database resonance chart for the 103R indicates that no tonearm mass from 4gm all the way to 30gm will get the resonance to 11Hz.

Right you are. I should have used the chart instead of relying on my math. Even a heavy headshell only gets the 103R into the 13's.

I do wonder, however, if the DL-103 series should be calculated at the stated compliance of 5 or figured more as 7 or 8. The Catridge Database does mention that Denon cites their compliance at 100 Hz instead of 10KHz (as, presumably, other cartridge mfrs do), which could result in a higher figure.

For example, if you use a 15g Technihard headshell and pretend the DL-103 has a compliance of 7.5, resonance calculation goes down to about 10.9 Hz.

At Denon's stated compliance, the best I can come up with (using a 15g headshell) is about 12.5 Hz. Time to tape some pennies to the headshell? :-)

For all this talk about the DL-103 series, you can get an AT150MLX, AT OC9 II, or Denon DL-301 MkII to easily match to an SL12x0 arm at 9-10 Hz, usually with the 12g Sumiko (or equivalent) headshell.

Johnnyb53, Tvad

So let me ask, the M5g Headshell with headshell leads is 7.5 grams? The Denon with a 12 gram shell should suffice? Now Technics supplies the headshell with a 4 gram additional weight as well bringing the total up to 12.5 grams just a tad over this Sumiko shell.. So why not do that for free and try right?

I am going to give this a shot myself, so tell me guys if I do the stock headshell with the 4 gram weight screwed in and the denon 301 II which states its 6 grams etc... I should get this optimal magic figure of 10 to 12hz?

Thanks

I do wonder, however, if the DL-103 series should be calculated at the stated compliance of 5 or figured more as 7 or 8. The Catridge Database does mention that Denon cites their compliance at 100 Hz instead of 10KHz (as, presumably, other cartridge mfrs do), which could result in a higher figure.

I do recall this mentioned by someone somewhere. Perhaps it makes a difference in the calculation.

For all this talk about the DL-103 series, you can get an AT150MLX, AT OC9 II, or Denon DL-301 MkII to easily match to an SL12x0 arm at 9-10 Hz, usually with the 12g Sumiko (or equivalent) headshell.
Johnnyb53 (Threads | Answers)

Exactly. Why twist one's brain about how to get the 103R to work when there are so many ideal matches right out of the box.

06-20-08: Undertow
Johnnyb53, Tvad

So let me ask, the M5g Headshell with headshell leads is 7.5 grams? The Denon with a 12 gram shell should suffice? Now Technics supplies the headshell with a 4 gram additional weight as well bringing the total up to 12.5 grams just a tad over this Sumiko shell.. So why not do that for free and try right?

My understanding is that the stock Technics tonearm including the stock Technics headshell has an effective mass of 12 grams (from the Cartridge Database).

With 12 grams taken as default, the Denon DL301 II is a good match out of the box without the necessity of adding an aftermarket headshell or adding the headshell weight. If you used a Sumiko or Zupreme headshell, you'd likely have to add the auxiliary tonearm weight.

The largest benefit with the Sumiko or ZuPreme headshells is their azimuth adjustment...IMO. The Technics headshell does not allow for azimuth adjustment.

Tvad,
Okay got you, Well I hope its 12 grams without counting the technics extra headshell weight, because if not then I guess it would be 16 grams..

It works perfect just as is.. But I do have the headshell weight I took it off immediatley and seemed to work dead on when using a digital stylus gauge, and got excellent results off the bat, and did not want to mess with it unless there was some magic reason to do so... Thanks

06-20-08: Undertow
Tvad,
Okay got you, Well I hope its 12 grams without counting the technics extra headshell weight...

That's my understanding.

I think your cart is 6.5 grams. I use a Benz Micro Ace, which is 8.8 grams, and I don't use the headshell weight.

I once owned a Zyx R-100 Yatra, which weighed 5 grams, and I was advised to use the headshell weight for better performance.

So, your cart at 6.5 grams could definitely be used without the headshell weight (as could the Zyx Yatra), but like the Yatra it might sound better with the weight...in which case you might have to use the auxiliary tonearm balance weight.

It's really up to your ears.