I should have known better

[Barry]

I was thinking the arm earth was off but the connector only has 4 pins with the earth screwed to one of the mounting screws on the end. I've since done some research and found that the internal wire for the earth is tiny and very easily damaged so that might be what has happened. I've sent it off to audio origami now so it's too late to check doh. Thanks for the thoughts though.
[IMG][/IMG]

Sorry - I confused matters by stating the original SME arm connector had 5 pins.

This is not quite correct, the connector is a 4-way Belling & Lee 'Unitor' connector, as shown in your photograph above.. The four ways are used for the two signal channels and their respective return paths. The arm's earth (i.e. connection to the arm's metal work) is made with a fifth fine-gauge wire (the same gauge as that of the signal leads), which connects between the rearmost of the two screws holding the knife-edge bearing saddle in place and a 'thimble' sleeve extending one of the fixing screws of the Unitor connector.

The mating connector (with the pins), has the four signal connections wired to two coaxial cables, which in turn terminate in RCA phono plugs (or as an option a 5-pin DIN plug). The arm's earth connection is made with a lightly sprung 'claw' that grips the thimble of the socket, and is fitted with two wire leads: one is connected to the metalwork of the preamp (or phonostage), the other is connected to the metalwork of the turntable.

[Ian7633]

Sorry - I confused matters by stating the original SME arm connector had 5 pins.

This is not quite correct, the connector is a 4-way Belling & Lee 'Unitor' connector, as shown in your photograph above.. The four ways are used for the two signal channels and their respective return paths. The arm's earth (i.e. connection to the arm's metal work) is made with a fifth fine-gauge wire (the same gauge as that of the signal leads), which connects between the rearmost of the two screws holding the knife-edge bearing saddle in place and a 'thimble' sleeve extending one of the fixing screws of the Unitor connector.

The mating connector (with the pins), has the four signal connections wired to two coaxial cables, which in turn terminate in RCA phono plugs (or as an option a 5-pin DIN plug). The arm's earth connection is made with a lightly sprung 'claw' that grips the thimble of the socket, and is fitted with two wire leads: one is connected to the metalwork of the preamp (or phonostage), the other is connected to the metalwork of the turntable.

That explains a lot Barry, it turned out the fine earth wire was broken and has now been replaced with much better wire. The whole arm has been rewired with VDH MSS7 and new VDH gold cartridge tags. The bearing is in good order and no other work was needed. I'm really happy with the results and it wasn't too pricey either.

[sumday]

I thought you were going to say "to lie to someone as beautiful as me"

NIGE.

[Ian7633]

I thought you were going to say "to lie to someone as beautiful as me"

NIGE.