Headshell washer
15 $
Atelier direct price · Solid C36000 brass washer
Shipping and customs duties included
60-day home evaluation · 1-year warranty
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Why we created the headshell washer
During the development of the Voyager headshell, one small interface kept drawing our attention: the washer between the SME-type headshell and the tonearm.
Conventional rubber washers can compress, age and allow small variations in centering or contact pressure. In a removable-headshell system, that interface matters because it is part of the mechanical path between cartridge and tonearm.
We developed the Le Son Headshell Washer as a solid, tapered C36000 brass replacement, designed to improve centering, contact stability and repeatability at the bayonet mount.
It is a small part, but it sits at a critical point in the analog chain.
What the washer improves
More repeatable headshell seating
The tapered brass profile helps the headshell seat more consistently in the bayonet mount.
This can make alignment and reinstallation feel more stable, especially for listeners who remove or change headshells regularly.
Firmer mechanical contact
Replacing a soft rubber washer with a solid brass interface reduces unwanted compression at the headshell connection.
The goal is not to damp everything. It is to create a cleaner, more stable mechanical contact between headshell and tonearm.
Headshell washer design
C36000 brass construction
The washer is machined from C36000 brass, selected for its combination of rigidity, machinability and practical stability in a small mechanical interface part.
Tapered centering profile
The tapered profile is designed to help the headshell center more cleanly in the bayonet connection.
This supports a more repeatable fit than a conventional flat rubber washer in many compatible SME-type headshell systems.
Low added mass
At 0.57 g, the washer adds very little mass while replacing a softer interface with a more stable brass contact point.
As with any headshell accessory, the final tonearm and cartridge match still depends on the full effective mass of the system.
SME-type bayonet compatibility
The Headshell Washer is designed for traditional SME/Ortofon-type bayonet headshell connections.
Some vintage or unusual tonearms may require extra compatibility care, especially where connector pin length or arm-socket geometry is limited.
Specifications
• Material: C36000 brass
• Inner diameter: 8 mm
• Outer diameter: 12 mm
• Thickness: 2 mm
• Weight: 0.57 g
Pair it with the Voyager headshell
The headshell washer refines the bayonet connection. The Voyager headshell goes further by addressing the headshell itself.
With azimuth adjustment, a 1.5 mm lower platform and extended overhang range, the Voyager offers a more complete setup foundation for compatible SME-type tonearms.
Together, they form a coherent mechanical interface between cartridge and tonearm.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the headshell washer for?
- Which headshells and tonearms does it fit?
- Are there compatibility exceptions?
- How difficult is installation?
- What sonic improvement should I expect?
- Does the brass washer affect grounding?
- Will the added weight affect cartridge matching?
- Is the headshell washer covered by warranty?
- Will it change the appearance of my setup?
The Le Son Headshell Washer replaces the conventional rubber washer used between many SME-type headshells and tonearms.
Its purpose is to improve centering, contact stability and repeatability at the bayonet connection.
The headshell washer is designed for traditional SME/Ortofon-type bayonet headshell mounts.
It is suitable for many removable-headshell tonearms using this connection standard, but compatibility still depends on the exact tonearm socket, connector pins and headshell geometry.
If you are unsure, send us your tonearm and headshell details before ordering.
Yes. The headshell washer is designed for traditional SME/Ortofon-type bayonet mounts, but a few tonearms may require extra care because of connector pin length, limited suspension travel or arm-socket geometry.
Based on customer feedback, these tonearms are not compatible:
- SME 3012-R
- SME 3009 S2 non-improved
- Technics SL-1300G
- Technics SL-1200GR2
On these arms, the washer thickness may interfere with secure electrical contact or proper seating. Do not force the headshell into place, and do not modify the washer unless you are fully comfortable doing so.
If your tonearm is listed above, or if you are unsure about compatibility, please contact us before ordering with your turntable, tonearm and headshell details.
Installation is simple: remove the existing headshell washer, place the Le Son Headshell Washer at the bayonet interface, and reconnect the headshell carefully.
After installation, check that the headshell locks securely and that electrical contact is stable.
If the headshell does not seat correctly, remove it and contact us rather than forcing the connection.
The Headshell Washer is designed to improve the mechanical interface between headshell and tonearm.
In a suitable setup, this may support a more stable, coherent presentation, but the audible result depends on the tonearm, headshell, cartridge, setup accuracy and system resolution.
It should be understood as a small precision interface upgrade, not a universal sonic transformation.
Because brass is conductive, the washer may support electrical continuity where the headshell, tonearm and grounding path allow it.
Grounding behavior depends on the complete arm and turntable design, so this should not be treated as a guaranteed hum solution.
The washer weighs 0.57 g, so the added mass is small.
In most compatible setups this is unlikely to be a major issue, but the final tonearm and cartridge match always depends on the total effective mass of the tonearm, headshell, cartridge and mounting hardware.
Yes. The headshell washer is covered by a 1-year warranty under normal use.
Warranty coverage applies to defects in materials or workmanship. It does not cover misuse, improper installation, forced fitting, unauthorized modification, external damage or normal wear.
The washer is small and visually discreet once installed.
Its purpose is mechanical consistency, not decoration, though the brass finish can be a subtle visual detail at the headshell connection.
Not sure whether the headshell washer suits your tonearm?
Send us your turntable, tonearm and headshell details. We will be happy to help you check whether the Headshell Washer is a coherent fit for your setup.
