Le Son Voyager: Premier Technics SL 1200 Headshell
We are proud to present the Voyager Headshell,
our alternative to the Technics SL 1200 headshell.
Key Features of the Voyager Headshell
1. Engineered for Low Resonance
Achieving a high quality Technics SL 1200 headshell means keeping resonances low. Like any object, the headshell has its own resonances, or “modes,” which can cause sound distortion if they are too strong in the frequency range we can hear.
Our design approach focused on:
• Shaping the headshell to avoid parallel surfaces and sharp edges, which can cause strong resonance areas.
• Balancing the headshell’s weight to prevent areas of concentrated vibrations.
By following these principles, we aim at ensuring that vibrations are evenly distributed, minimizing resonances. This allows the phono cartridge to accurately read the music from the record grooves without interferences, and therefore deliver optimal sound.
2. Advanced Modal Analysis
We utilized Creo Parametric 3D design software for a modal analysis that revealed the vibration patterns of the headshell at different frequencies.
After crafting various headshell designs, this analysis helped us select the one with the lowest resonance.
The headshell features a CNC-machined aviation aluminum body, bonded to a cross-woven carbon fiber insert.
Upgrades to the Technics SL 1200 Headshell
As frequent users of Technics SL 1200 turntables, we also designed the Voyager Headshell to address two limitations we encountered with the original Technics SL 1200 headshell:
1. Technics SL 1200 Headshell Cartridge Overhang
In the original Technics SL 1200 Headshell, cartridges can be mounted between 35 to 45mm from the tonearm connector. We noticed challenges with certain alignments, like Stevenson, which require mounting the cartridge further out on the headshell. To solve this, the Voyager Headshell extends the mounting range to 37-47mm, ensuring easy cartridge installation for any preference.
2. Enhanced Finger Lift
For the Voyager headshell, we have moved the position of the Technics SL 1200 headshell finger lift back towards the tonearm.
We made this change for 2 reasons:
Convenience:
This modification aims to enhance user experience as the new finger lift is closer, higher, and wider than the original one.
Resonance Control:
The modal analysis revealed that vibrations are significantly lower near the tonearm connector, making it an ideal location for the finger lift. While the current plan is to use a titanium screw for attachment, this may be adjusted after testing in real-world conditions.
Le Son Voyager Headshell Availability
The Voyager headshell is designed to seamlessly integrate with the entire Technics SL-1200 turntable series, with a weight of approximatively 9g.
The first prototypes are arriving soon, with tests in real conditions to follow, aiming for an April 30th launch if we are happy with the results.
Expect a price of around 120USD including shipping, taxes, and customs duties.
Any constructive comments or questions are very welcome via our CONTACT FORM.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Does this headshell offer azimuth adjustment?
- What is the weight of this headshell?
- What is a modal analysis in Creo?
- Is the carbon fiber insert only for decoration?
- Why is the finger lift screwed?
- Can it be cheaper?
No, our initial prototype doesn’t include this feature to minimize weight.
However, due to popular demand, we are exploring ways to add it.
The theoretical weight of the headshell is 9g, excluding leadwires.
To understand what is a modal analysis in Creo Parametric Software and how to use it for your design, you can watch this short explanatory video: WATCH
Besides the “decoration” factor, bonding a cross-woven carbon fiber insert to an aluminum headshell can help in damping resonant frequencies, and here is why:
Material Properties: Carbon fiber is known for its high stiffness-to-weight ratio and excellent damping characteristics. This means it can absorb and dissipate energy (like that from vibrations) very efficiently without adding significant mass.
Cross-Woven Structure: The cross-woven pattern of the carbon fiber provides multi-directional strength and stiffness, which can further enhance its ability to dampen vibrations that occur in various directions during vinyl record playback.
Hybrid Construction: Combining carbon fiber with aluminum can create a hybrid structure that leverages the high stiffness and low mass of carbon fiber and the structural integrity of aluminum. This hybrid construction can reduce the amplitude of resonant frequencies by dissipating vibrational energy more effectively.
Resonance Reduction: Different materials have different natural frequencies. By combining materials like carbon fiber and aluminum, the resulting headshell can have a more complex and scattered mode of vibration.
In summary, the composite structure of a cross-woven carbon fiber insert bonded to an aluminum headshell can significantly improve the damping of resonant frequencies, leading to a cleaner and more accurate sound reproduction by minimizing unwanted vibrations. And it can look good too 🙂
Firstly, to manage manufacturing costs, the finger lift is made separately from the headshell body. Unlike the original Technics SL 1200’s die-cast aluminum headshell, our Voyager headshell is CNC machined from two blocks of aviation-grade aluminum.
Secondly, the screw choice allows us to experiment with different finger lift designs in our initial prototypes, enabling easy comparison and customization.
Yes, it’s possible.
For now, we’ve set the price at $120, covering shipping and customs duties. This is based on the average online price for an authentic Technics SL 1200 headshell.
We’ll determine the final price after completing real-world testing.
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