New Garrard Build
- Thread starter jeff1225
- Start date
my understanding is that a good headshell should be a firm and stable construction. The connectivity is another topic to be looked at. There are some units with different options which leads to changing height and some flexibility on precise SRA alignment like the Arche does. In case you like aligning your cart in the best possible way it may help. I know other audio friends who stick to one headshell modell like a religion. They do not accept other designs. I am very open in this field as I do with tonearms too. I do not stick to one tonearm only. A headshell made of one piece of wood, sometimes with metallic inclinations, like some Japanese designers do (Koetsu as well) is a very interesting design. I experience some warmth with some of my carts using wooden headshells.
The SME headshell sounds to me a little mild and sedate in the deep bass, less black. The Japanese one is more colorful with some more warmth and roundness. Micro details are sometimes missing. The Arche is the most fast one with a clear room transfer.
best
E.
www.AudioCirc.com
The SME headshell sounds to me a little mild and sedate in the deep bass, less black. The Japanese one is more colorful with some more warmth and roundness. Micro details are sometimes missing. The Arche is the most fast one with a clear room transfer.
best
E.
www.AudioCirc.com
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Marc,
It was hard to believe as the Ascona is beautifully designed and engineered. But in my system, for my tastes it was really no competition for the Garrard. And I feel confident in the comparison: same arm on both tables, same actual cartridge (switched back and fourth in 5 seconds) and same phono stage input.
The Garrard was more alive and more musical on all types of music.
The Arche headshell I had was a lot heavier with a lot of bulit-in adjustments, too heavy for the SME, matched the Axiom tonearm better the combination is even less attractive. Certainly there are people who like these products It doesn't change what I'm hearing and why I don't like them
.david
How do you connect SPU to Arche headshell? Modern Decca carts maybe vintage one definitely not compatible.
david
I tried a bunch of headshells for my FR-64S + Koetsu a few years back. Titanium, wood, Ikeda, Graphite and a few others that I have forgotten. I have never tried the SME, since I don't have an SME arm. The Arche is my favorite, by a long shot, for sound quality. I ordered mine with the 4mm longer titanium rods and I can comfortably align to Baerwald with 231.5 P2S. Dietrich's customer service has been very good, even giving me tips on how to properly set up the FR. Still want to try the Glanz MH-124S, maybe in 2022.
The fit and finish of the Glanz appears to be fantastic, that arm would be a good addition to the FR.
I keep coming back to this thread thinking about a new DIY Plinth for a Winter Project. I was thinking Aluminum- Richlite (Resin Impregnated Paper, kind of like Panzerholz but not quite), Brazilian Cherry, Richlite, Aluminum sandwich. Total would be about 5” thick. Bronze Armbases that extend to bottom Aluminum Layer.
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