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Thread: SME 3012 synergies

  1. #1
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: belgrade serbia

    Posts: 840
    I'm gordan.

    Default SME 3012 synergies

    Out of boredom I'm currently working on a Garrard 401 / SME 3012 II combo in a new plinth - more details when I finish. I have no particular reason for this combination except that I wanted to keep with a timestamp of both products (more or less) and to go with a 12'' sitting in mu cupboard.

    I am wondering what are the thoughts on the pickups who proved to be synergetic with 3012 over the decades of use. My experience with tonearms is actually limited to a few I used, like Kuzma Stogi, Stogi S or 4P, FR64fx or some I know through friends such as WTA or Shroeder clones.

    I currently own SPU Spirit, Koetsu Black (old version), Koetsu Black Goldline and Miyajima Shilabe.

    Out of these, I only tried SPU in it and it's a killer combo (never heard Metallica's Black album sounding so mental!). However would be good to share any other interested ideas.

    Given that the arm hails from the times when MC pickups were not that popular as later or today, my point if concern is actually how suitable is 3012 for low compliance MC pickups. Also not sure how knife bearing adds to the proven fact that these pickups actually ask for a mechanical coupling as firm as possible.

    One thing - I would try to stay with the original SME shells for 3009/12 if possible, to keep the look of era - if that puts too many limitation on SQ also let me know what are the proven headshells for 3012.

    Cheers!

    PS. Denon stop!
    Gordan.
    Speakers: Oris Swing MkII
    Amps: Thomas Mayer 300b/ Hiraga La Maison de L'Audiophile 20
    Preamp: Silver AVC by eng. Ferenc Lazar
    Phono Preamp: Shishido LCR by Solaja Audio
    Decks: Garrard 301 Martin Bastin reworked/plinthed with Fidelity Research FR64fx
    Garrard 401 in eng Ferenc Lazar solid wenge plinth with SME 3012/2
    Cartridges: SPU Spirit/ Koetsu Black revisited by eng. Salai/ Miyajima Shilabe
    Step Up Transformers: Tango MCT 999/ Ortofon T-5000/ Lumiere SUT
    Digital: Shigaclone by eng. Ferenc Lazar with Lampizator Amber II
    Wires: of sufficient length

  2. #2
    Join Date: Nov 2010

    Location: Yorkshire

    Posts: 9,302
    I'm Andrew.

    Default

    SPU will all work a treat.
    I hate my koetsu on my 3012 I don't think it's a good match.
    Denon 103 and SHure carts will work really well. You should also get a blast from any of the DECCA carts.

    Its quite a versatile arm.
    SS
    CD Teac VRDS25X(Audiotuned) DECK 1210 Mat Crystal Audio Mods MN Base/Bearing/Platter+Ebony armboard Feet Isonoe PSU Paul Hynes SR7EHD-27XL/DCSXL Ag DC lead/3 Stage Regs/Recap PCB+No Pitch/Strobe/Light ARM SME V(Kondo Ag Rewire&Tags) MC Cadenza Black FGS CABLES Arm Yannis SPD-4 IC Yannis 222 Litz+Ag bullets Power WAR PRE ATC SCA2 SPEAKERS ATC 50ASL STANDS Atacama PHONO Sugden Masterclass PA4 SUT Ortofon ST80SE POWER PSAudio P10

    VALVE
    PRE
    Croft Epoch(Modded) AMP Sondex S100 (Modded) SPEAKERS Tannoy 15"MG+RFC Warwick cabs+ Ref XO + Batpure supertweeters DECK Garrard 301 Mat Teunto Bearings 401(Bastin) Plinth Bamboo Arms 3009/3012 PSU Eagle+Tachometer MC Ag Meister II/FGS + Ortofon SPU MONO CABLES Arm Yannis 420.5 Litz+ SpeakerPC Tripple C+WBT-0681 Ag IC Oyaide FTVS-510 AgWBT 0110Ag Phonostages Paradise(4 Box Mega-Modded) / Croft Musicmaker



  3. #3
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: belgrade serbia

    Posts: 840
    I'm gordan.

    Default

    Thanks - I can switch Koetsus to FR64fx. Or sell them, haha

    Yes, SPUs are very logical. Amazingly easy pickups to deal with, work well in almost everything you throw them in!
    Gordan.
    Speakers: Oris Swing MkII
    Amps: Thomas Mayer 300b/ Hiraga La Maison de L'Audiophile 20
    Preamp: Silver AVC by eng. Ferenc Lazar
    Phono Preamp: Shishido LCR by Solaja Audio
    Decks: Garrard 301 Martin Bastin reworked/plinthed with Fidelity Research FR64fx
    Garrard 401 in eng Ferenc Lazar solid wenge plinth with SME 3012/2
    Cartridges: SPU Spirit/ Koetsu Black revisited by eng. Salai/ Miyajima Shilabe
    Step Up Transformers: Tango MCT 999/ Ortofon T-5000/ Lumiere SUT
    Digital: Shigaclone by eng. Ferenc Lazar with Lampizator Amber II
    Wires: of sufficient length

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