- the headshell attaches to the turntable's tonearm. this is usually included with the tt

- the cartridge is wired to the headshell with 4 wires (very easy to do; you just plug onto posts on the cartridge). when you buy a cartridge, it comes with a stylus (needle). some (ortofons for example) ight even come with an extra stylus.

- the stylus (needle) is removable from the cartridge. so, after you first buy a cratridge and set everything up, when the stylus wears out (due to normal wear and tear during play), you just buy a new stylus and replace it (no need to remove cartridge from headshell to do this).

* judging from your question, most likely you know nothing about setup...i would HIGHLY recommend taking the time to read the manufacturers' instructions on setting up the cartridge and balancing the tonearm, etc. it will make a lot of difference in performance (tracking during scratching and sound quality) and needle/record wear.

mister iLL's right on the setup. I would add the reccommendation of getting the dealer to install one of the cartridges if you're getting something like a Shure M44-7. They're not the easiest carts to install if you're not used to them. Watch the dealer do one so you can pracice at home on the second one.

Of course, other cartridges are much easier to install, so you can probably do them yourself.

Hey! Thanks to both of you. That clears things up a lot.

I have one more question about the Numark CC-1. Is this thing a cartridge/headshell/needle all in one?

Oh one more thing..

Does one have to use a Technics headshell with a technics cartridge? Or can you use any headshell with a technics cartridge...

Thanks

I didn't know Technics even made cartridges...

OKay wow I mean Shure cartridge. NVM that. :Q

Nicky... if you're worried about not knowing how to set up a cartridge on the headshell, etc. The shure's are available on premounted on a Techncis headshell.


www.shop.com

Thanks sixx...

Is the Numark CC1 a cartridge/headshell all in one?

that's a really good suggestion; i forgot about that. i DEFINITELy had my shit set up wrong the first time i set it all up myself. buy the pre-matched pairs.

if your looking for the easiest solution, get ortofon concords(stanton & numark have similar-but not as good, IMO)but be careful, i have since switched to OM because the lil handle you use to lift the needle is plastic and breaks easily

i would not buy an integrated (cartridge/headshell in one) set. after a while, the contact points start getting screwy and you have to start licking them. that creates corrosion where the cartidge screws into the tonearm. after a while it becomes problem. headshell mounted cartridges dont do that for the most part. the factory headshell inlcuded with the turntable is the best thing for that particular tonearm connection.

ex: technics headshell creates the best connection with a technics tonearm.