I’m a newb to this and have read many posts here about cartridges and some about headshells, but still not sure what brand or model to get. I have 60’s and 70’s rock and country LP’s. Want something with a good warm sound and great stereo separation. If a much better cartridge can be bought for a few more $$’s, I would be willing to spend the extra $$’s based on your recommendations since this would probably be the only needle I would have for years to come.

I’ve looked at headshells from lpgear.com, they go from $49.95 down to $12.95. I would prefer a Yamaha headshell (been watching ebay), but if I don’t run into one of them, is the $50 headshell any better then a $13 headshell?

I’ve been reading the existing thread ‘Another Cartridge Recommendation Thread…’ and according to posts (it’s for a Yamaha YP D6, does this matter?), it looks like the Benz Silver would be a good match? Problem is….I don’t have anything to trade in to get it for $225. My turntable came without a Cartridge and Headshell.

Tim

The Yamaha headshell for the D8 is designed a bit differently than the replacement headshells - is has a vertical offset in relation to the tonearm. You can compensate with the VTA adjustment if you end up with a non-original, but it changes the physics.

I have one of the $20 replacements, works just fine. I'll be trying one of the solid body versions next. I do have the original headshell, but it is nice to be able to swap carts without having to go through a complete alignment process each time.

The D8 is a very fine table! :thmbsp:

Got a YP-D8 just before Christmas that came with an ADC XLM MkII cartridge. I'm *very* pleased with it so far given the limited time I've had to listen to it seriously.

New ones ("improved") are $200 here: http://www.adelcom.net/ADC-xlm%20mk2%20improved-Page.htm

Can't help you with a headshell, though...

Steve A.

PM MeryLander as he may have an extra headshell?

I think I may have gotten Merrylander's extra for my YP-D8 (thanks again Merrylander!!), and it was perfect. I also bought the skeletal headshell that Hakaplan recommended and it is working fine. Like Oz said, if you get a short cart, like a V15TypeIII, the VTA can easily be adjusted. Just avoid tall ones. I've also been on the hunt for extra Yamaha head shells to replace Merry's and have one for a spare cart, but as observed, VERY hard to find. I do have a YP-D8 parts machine, but no motor, platter, or arm. Most else tho.

May I ask someone to please post a photo of what the stock Yamaha YP-D8 headshell looks like please? I bought an aftermarket headshell that looks like that one that came on the table when I got it, but this thread has me wondering if I bought a likeness of what was a aftermarket headshell to begin with. Duh. Thank you in advance.

C

There were two headshell designs used on the D8, the later design was like the one II sold Perry, the earlier design was like a PX-3 or PX-2 headshell with a finger lift on the right side.

The headshells that I have look like the ones posted on the vintage knob webpage. http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/YPD8/YPD8.html

The Yamaha YP-D71 I just got has the shorter PX-2 style headshell. I hope everything is as it should be. I love these tables.