Ortofon LH-10000 Headshell

The Ortofon LH-10000 is a high-quality headshell made from a rigid aluminium-zinc alloy that connects your cartridge to the SME tonearm mount mechanically calm and precise.

Why the LH-10000?

The headshell is the link between cartridge and tonearm – and so one of the most underrated spots on a turntable. If it's too soft or poorly damped, resonances from the tonearm tube travel straight into the tracking. The LH-10000 uses an especially rigid aluminium-zinc alloy and integrated TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) damping that absorbs micro-resonances before they become audible. Azimuth is adjustable, and the finger lift is removable.

What you get

A low-resonance, torsion-resistant platform for your cartridge – the basis for clean channel separation and a stable, focused image. The factory-fitted, silver-content headshell leads carry the signal to the tonearm with low loss. Through azimuth adjustment you extract the last percentage points of channel separation that a high-quality cartridge can actually deliver.

Who is the LH-10000 for – and who is it not for?

Ideal for medium-mass to heavy tonearms with an SME quick-release connector and for high-quality MC and MM cartridges where the mechanical coupling becomes audible. Plain talk: if you run a tonearm with a fixed, non-removable headshell – like most Rega arms and many Pro-Ject arms – you can't fit a removable headshell at all; even the finest LH-10000 won't help there. And the weight of about 14.5 g has to match your tonearm's effective mass and your cartridge's compliance – if in doubt, we'll work that out with you.

Our verdict

An uncompromisingly solid headshell for anyone who wants to couple their cartridge to an SME tonearm as calmly and rigidly as possible. Not an accessory for the sake of it, but fine-tuning for an already good deck – and that's exactly why, on request, we set it up at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil to match your system.

Technical data

• Type: headshell with SME connector (universal)
• Material: aluminium-zinc alloy, high rigidity
• Damping: integrated TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) for resonance control
• Headshell leads: silver-content wires, factory-fitted
• Azimuth: adjustable
• Finger lift: removable
• Weight: approx. 14.5 g (without screws)
• Headshell length: 52.0 mm
• Headshell width: 19.4 mm
• Mounting distance: 42.0 mm
• Mounting holes: Ø 2.7 mm
• Scope of delivery: Ortofon LH-10000, fitted headshell leads, mounting hardware (screws, nuts, washers)

Frequently asked questions

Does the LH-10000 fit my tonearm?

It uses the universal SME bayonet connector and so fits the vast majority of tonearms with a removable headshell – such as Technics, Jelco, SME and many Japanese arms. It cannot be fitted to tonearms with a fixed, integrated headshell, as used by Rega and quite a few Pro-Ject models.

What does the TPE damping do for me?

The thermoplastic elastomer absorbs fine resonances that would otherwise travel back and forth between cartridge and tonearm tube. The result is a calmer background and a more stable, more cleanly outlined image – especially in densely played passages.

How do I set the azimuth?

Azimuth determines whether the stylus sits exactly vertical in the groove – crucial for channel separation. On the LH-10000 it can be adjusted; doing it cleanly works best with a test record or measurement. If you like, we'll set it up for you right during fitting.

Why buy the Ortofon LH-10000 at HD Zürisee?

Because a headshell only shows its potential with the right fitting and alignment. We check the fit to your tonearm and cartridge, and on request, fit and align everything for you. Original Ortofon, with honest advice from Andy and Mauri – at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Goes well with

Goes well with: the matching cartridge, the right turntable and everything around vinyl.