We've received many questions about diamonds recently, and we’ve noticed a trend: many people are unaware that different diamond types respond differently in terms of frequency. This post is a follow-up to our previous publication, How to Map and EQ Your Dynamic Cutterhead, as mapping your cutterhead also involves considering the diamond type.
Here’s a quick guide to what you need to know about the commonly discussed 320 and 340 shank types:
The 320 type has been the industry standard for many years, used by widely Neumann, produced by Adamant, Micro-Point and others. These shanks have a square aluminium base and are usually around 4.5mm in length from base to diamond tip. However, later Souri introduced the longer 340 type for the Vinyl Recorder T560 (note: Souri does not call them 340, this is just for reference). The 340 type naturally produces a frequency response curve with more high end, meaning it requires a smoother EQ adjustment to flatten the overall response. Additionally, VR diamond holders for the 340 have a gentler taper compared to the 320, making them less compatible with many other heads.
When EQ’ing your cutterhead, keep the following in mind:
- 320: Requires a significant high-end boost, often up to +25dB.
- 340: Needs less high-end boost, generally around +12dB.
Remember to recalibrate the rake angle and ensure the diamond aligns directly with the centre of the spindle when switching diamond types. Professional cuts require recalibration, as these diamonds are not interchangeable without adjustments.
As always, if you have any questions regarding calibration, check our other blog posts or feel free to get in touch.