What is the effective mass of a tonearm?
between 11 and 25 grams
A tonearm whose effective mass is rated between 11 and 25 grams is considered moderate mass (e.g. SME 309, IV, IV-Vi, V, Triplanar, Graham). Arms above 25 grams of mass are high mass in nature (Eminent Technology, Dynavector).
How to match tonearm and cartridge?
You can to choose good cartridge match if ou see compliance and mounting weight for that cartridge. Lower resonance better match. e.g. If you have 16.5g tonearm effective mass and compliance 10 with cartridge overall height 7-8g, you have resonance frequency something on 10Hz-11Hz. This is good cartridge match.
What is considered a high compliance cartridge?
A phono cartridge with the compliance in the range of 5 to 10 µm/mN is considered as a very low compliance cartridge, a cartridge with the compliance in the range of 10 to 20 µm/mN is moderate compliance cartridge and a cartridge with the compliance value above 35µm/mN is very high compliance cartridge.
How does a tonearm work?
The function of a tonearm is to support the cartridge in the correct position over the record and allow it to move inward to the centre of the record while maintaining this position. Any flex or movement in the tube while the cartridge is on the record will result in audible interference in the audio signal.
What is a medium mass tonearm?
By some manufactures and other industry professionals, medium mass tonearms are defined as having an effective mass between 9-25 grams. That would put VPI tonearms at the very low end of medium mass and that would account for their wide compatiblity with most modern MC cartridges.
How do you reduce the effective mass of tonearm?
The fine tuning weights, when used closer to the pivot than the main counterweight, will lower the effective mass of the arm. When used beyond the main counterweight they will have a smaller effect, and will sometimes raise, but other times lower, the effective mass of the tonearm.
How important is tonearm?
Tonearm Resonance This springiness allows the cartridge to move along the record grooves while being stationary enough to allow the cantilever to move enough to produce sound. Too much resonance causes that cartridge to skip, and too low of a frequency causes the record player to vibrate.
How do I know if a cartridge is compatible?
If you’re unsure, take a look at the end of your turntable’s tonearm (the part you lift and set on the vinyl to play the music). If you see screws mounting the cartridge to the end of the arm, then the cartridge can be replaced. If you don’t see any screws, then you’ll only be able to replace the stylus.
How do I choose a cartridge?
What to Look for in a Cartridge. Stylus shape: The shape of the stylus affects how it makes contact with the record groove. The narrower the contact radius, the better the stylus will be able to track modulations in the groove. The two most common shapes of styli are conical and elliptical.
How important is the tonearm?
Tonearm Materials The higher the quality of the materials, the better the audio experience that you are creating will be, even without the use of amps. The primary “tonewoods” of tonearms that help with sound quality are located in the armtubes. As a rule, the harder the tonewood, the better the acoustic performance.
What is tonearm?
: the movable part of a phonograph or record player that carries the pickup and permits the needle to follow the record groove.