Peter's Technics SL-MCCXIV thread (SL1210 + SME IV)

**Marco** · 13-02-2009, 20:03

Looks GREAT, Pete, but the all-important question is how does it sound?

We wanna know the precise sonic and musical upgrades the SME has brought to the party

Marco.

**Pete** · 13-02-2009, 20:20

My initial impression playing just one album: Gino Vannelli - Powerful People - MoFi

Sounds great right out of the box! The bass seems fuller and deeper than the cardas rewired/Zupreme headshell 1210 arm, and really good separation, better than I remember. Tonally the mids and highs are just right (the highs seemed a tad brighter with the old arm). I can't think of what would sound better, but its impossible to A/B, so this is just my subjective memory/opinion.

Of course nothing is broken in yet.

After a few more albums I would add that imaging is more precise, I can locate instruments much more clearly in space, along with the wider soundstage.

**Peter Stockwell** · 14-02-2009, 05:45

Nice one Pete! You beat me to the porn :-) ! It's back on it's feet(1) and playing music.

**Pete** · 14-02-2009, 15:13

Originally Posted by Peter Stockwell

Nice one Pete! You beat me to the porn :-) ! The beast is upside down and the bottom is undone!

Excellent!

**Peter Stockwell** · 14-02-2009, 15:30

I just finished and it's had a couple of sides on it. I really like what it brings to the system. But at the same time, in someways what it brings is so subtle that for some it may not be worth it.

If you appreciate how a pianist touches the keys, how a drummer hangs off the beat or pushes it forward a touch, or the subtle breathy tones of a saxophone. It's really worth it. If you think that stuff is minor, then it's not.

I'm really pleased, and the missus was somewhat gobsmacked also by the effortless "there" that there is with the IV.

Pictures tomorrow.

cheers

**pure sound** · 14-02-2009, 17:12

Originally Posted by Pete

Alright dear friends here are the pics of the 1210 SME 309/Zyx machine

One of the bolts that tightens up the arm post refused to tighten up from the factory, but I installed anyway.

Looks good. Silly question, but you did check that the square block that the bolt couples to is sitting properly & squarely in its slot? (ie as the back bolt's must be if that one is ok)

**Spectral Morn** · 14-02-2009, 17:20

HI PETE

Just a thought but if you can live with the slight issue of not having a finger lift, the SME 309(as does the 4 and the 5) sounds better (not by much but its there) without the finger lift. Slightly better focus across the frequencies and bass. Just a thought.

Regards D S D L---Neil

**Pete** · 15-02-2009, 01:03

Originally Posted by pure sound

Looks good. Silly question, but you did check that the square block that the bolt couples to is sitting properly & squarely in its slot? (ie as the back bolt's must be if that one is ok)

Yes I did and it is.

Took it out and there is definitely something wrong as it won't tighten.

**Pete** · 15-02-2009, 01:05

Originally Posted by Dalek Supreme D L

HI PETE

Just a thought but if you can live with the slight issue of not having a finger lift, the SME 309(as does the 4 and the 5) sounds better (not by much but its there) without the finger lift. Slightly better focus across the frequencies and bass. Just a thought.

Regards D S D L---Neil

I like using the finger lift, and am loathe at this point to remove the cart bolts and have to redo the cart alignment. I may try it at some point.

**Peter Stockwell** · 15-02-2009, 10:24

Thread: Peter's Technics SL-MCCXIV thread (SL1210 + SME IV)

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