WTD: Upgrade Tonearm Cable for SME, used.

[Vinyleyes]

I'm looking to upgrade the standard tonearm cable coming from my SME20 + MkV to phono stage .. Does anyone have anything interesting that is known not to introduce more sharpness to the sound .. I'm looking for a little more sweetness without losing detail.

Thanks ...

[DSJR]

How can a cable do this if it's properly designed in the first place - and VDH aren't called "bland-n-dull" for nothing you know:)

The Audio Origami Van Damme cable is very good indeed, especially so when the cable itself is priced on its own. £99 or so may be regarded as an insult to the SME if you're rich enough to think that way, but my own AO cable came from an SME V user apparently.

What are your speakers again? if you want more sweetness, that's where I'd possibly be looking - if they're Tannoys, then it's those (it's measurable, catalogued in countless reviews and audible too!) and turning the treble gain or possibly the rolloff down one notch may be enough to sort it. If I'm correct and you can still switch levels, then hard-wiring your favoured setting will improve things further, as the rotary level/rolloff controls are notoriously awful and best bypassed once set to the room and your taste.

Hope this helps a tiny bit :)

[Vinyleyes]

How can a cable do this if it's properly designed in the first place - and VDH aren't called "bland-n-dull" for nothing you know:)

The Audio Origami Van Damme cable is very good indeed, especially so when the cable itself is priced on its own. £99 or so may be regarded as an insult to the SME if you're rich enough to think that way, but my own AO cable came from an SME V user apparently.

What are your speakers again? if you want more sweetness, that's where I'd possibly be looking - if they're Tannoys, then it's those (it's measurable, catalogued in countless reviews and audible too!) and turning the treble gain or possibly the rolloff down one notch may be enough to sort it. If I'm correct and you can still switch levels, then hard-wiring your favoured setting will improve things further, as the rotary level/rolloff controls are notoriously awful and best bypassed once set to the room and your taste.

Hope this helps a tiny bit :)

Hi Greg .... My SME is over 20 years old .. and was bought 2nd hand then ... so the "richness" factor does not exist unfortunately ... :( .. the system was hard before the Tannoys came along ... so before I start messing with the x/overs and things on the Ardens ( I've played with the settings and it did help) .. I am going to try a few easier to implement things. I am sure the system will benefit from a tone arm cable upgrade anyway so that will not be money wasted ,, thanks for suggesting the AO's .. I will look them up.

I am though looking for advice on what I can do with the Tannoy x/overs .. people have told me they are hopeless ... but they sound so good ( even with that touch of glare) that I am slightly nervous that I'll lose more than I gain with any changes ... :eek:

Cheers

[DSJR]

Marco can probably put you in touch with a Tannoy crossover expert ;)

I think there's loads on the net if you don't mind doing some Googling. Tannoy apparently did loads of research into crossovers in the early eighties and one of the main conclusions was that the rotary switches had to go, hence the gold plated? screw types they use today. The internal wiring and little plug-n-socket on the driver, which I think was still in use by then, should be bypassed too. Tannoy completely re-balanced the DC drivers in later years and the slight "rawness" in standard earlier ones has now all but gone I think.

A chat with the chaps at Lockwoods would be helpful I think. Maybe re-wiring and thorough cleaning/replacement of the switchgear would be in order, as it's prominant on the front baffle from memory.

[CableMaker1]

You can try this tonearm cable. I get stunning results using it with my SME Tonearms.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Mike,
I don't think you answered Martin's question on another thread about your status as a member of the trade or otherwise. If you are, then you need to have your details amended appropriately & there are certain rules that you need to observe.
Could you please confirm your status via PM to Marco?
Thanks

[Marco]

Indeed. Yes, Mike, I'd appreciate it if you would.

Marco.