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Thread: SME 3009 Pleasant Surprise

  1. #1
    Join Date: Dec 2016

    Location: Salisbury

    Posts: 66
    I'm Steve.

    Default SME 3009 Pleasant Surprise

    So I received the Johnny modified SME 3009 (wonderfully packed and protected by Ian; thanks ) and once I had finally sorted out the fitting of it to my SL150Mk2 which has far too small a cable exit point

    And; I have ordered the 1/16 allen key

    I found that the arm height was pretty much spot on anyway

    But due to the stupid cable issue, I can only use a thin crappy cable at this time until my audioquest 90 degree adapters arrive

    So I fitted my Ortofon VMS cart to the SME H/shell with a useful little addition spacer left on the Rega RB250 by Tom (Montesquieu) and a couple of little bits of white tack to suppress the ringy SME shell. With a 20Mk2 or 30Mk2 stylus fitted (I have choice!), it sounds rather good even through the poor string connecting to the amplifier.

    My Sumiko H/shell was duly fitted with a my fancy cueing adapter and good condition Supex SM100Mk3. Only to find it too heavy for the slim built SME So off came the cueing device and all was well. A cheapy H/shell was fitted with a Linn K9 bought from Mark (Gaius) a few years ago.

    Initial results are very favourable (just as well really!). There is a broader presentation from the SME, with better bottom and top (no doubt helped by the Johnny rewire) than the RB250. The VMS20 is a really good cartridge, lovely and musical. The VMS30, has better detail but doesn't seem to draw you into the music as well as the 20. The K9 in the cheap H/shell sounds really good with no rough edges that can come from this energetic performer. The slight disappointment being my previous fave - the Supex which in the best H/shell seemed to be wanting to chuck the music at you warts and all. There may be a slight mismatch with the arm??

    Anyway; I've got to take it all to bits to sort out the cabling issue that needs either a 90 degree adapter (a couple of Audioquest versions on the way) or a complete rebuild of a current cable with angled RCA's or attack the TT with a few wood working tools. We will see.

    It's nice to own a proper iconic piece of British audio history and the engineering is lovely to behold

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    you can get magnetic weights to go onto the rear weight so you can use heavier headshells and carts. i got one from a member exact sixe so looks perfect
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

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  3. #3
    Join Date: Oct 2015

    Location: Woodmancote, West Sussex

    Posts: 1,629
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Really pleased you're enjoying the SME, like you say I think the J7 upgrades made a real improvement in performance. I was sure I was going to keep it until I could afford a series V.
    Turntable
    Toshiba SR-370/Mission 774/Van Damme cable with MS Starline plugs/Ortofon Quintet Black
    CD
    Cambridge CXC transport/modified Musical Fidelity X-DAC/modified Musical Fidelity X-10 V3 tube buffer
    Network Player
    Cambridge NP30
    Amplifier
    Denon HA-500 head amp/Nakamichi CA-5E pre-amp/Chinese passive RVC/Proton AA-1150 DMC power amp
    Speakers
    Mordaunt Short Signifer on original factory stands
    Cables
    Mogami with Rean Neutrik plugs/NVA LS5
    Headphones
    Sennheiser HD600/Sennheiser HD650/Koss Pro4 AA

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

    Posts: 31,853
    I'm openingabottleofwine.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by struth View Post
    you can get magnetic weights to go onto the rear weight so you can use heavier headshells and carts. i got one from a member exact sixe so looks perfect
    Where did you obtain the magnetic weight Grant? I assume it is for the 'Improved' version of the 3009 - I would want one to counterbalance an Ortofon SPU.
    Barry

  5. #5
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    If the results with the Supex are a bit forward, add a bit of mass at the headshell. A lump of BluTak will do to experiment with. I suspect the arm has too little mass to allow the fairly low compliance cantilever suspension to articulate properly at lower frequencies.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

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