What is "headshell"

n. 1 (context music English) A component of a record player that is attached to the end of a turntable arm. The cartridge is bolted to it. 2 (context computing English) A component of a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun%20Microsystems server, used to connect a console between two Sun machines. It is made up of a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB-25 male connector with a normal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat-5 ethernet cable connecting to another DB-25 male connector.

A head-shell is a head piece designed to be attached to the end of a turntable's or record player,'s "tone arm" and the cartridge is bolted to it. Normally, by using a couple of 2.5 mm bolts, it's possible to fit all standard cartridges with 1/2’’ (about 12,5 mm) mount.

Some head-shells are designed to allow variable weights to be attached. For example, the H4-S Stanton Head-shell comes with 2g and 4g screw-in weights. Extra weight can be useful to prevent skipping if the DJ is scratching the record.