Mike New platter & SME V alignment

[Wakefield Turntables]

Guys,

Just a real quick question. I've been on the phone today to SME and the recommended tonearm mounting distance from the outer tonearm screw on the headshell to the outer edge of a platter is 53-55mm. My problem is that the MN platter has two edge's, the real edge and a recessed edge where the vinyl sits. So. my question is do I swing the tonearm in so that it sits 53-55mm from the outer or inner platter edge of the mike new platter? If this dosen't make any sense, sorry. I'm charging my camera up to take a photo so I can show you what I'm going on about.

As always, many thanks

Andy

[Stratmangler]

If you had the Technics platter on, where would you set the distance from?

[YNWaN]

Don't do that measurement - no one uses the edge of the platter as an alignment datum. Just use the SME alignment protractor.

[WOStantonCS100]

+1 on using an alignment protractor

I'm surprised SME would make such a recommendation. They are so much more precise than that with their arms. Perhaps, it was a new rep you spoke with? I'd definitely go with the more scientific method.

[Spectral Morn]

Indeed use the SME alignment protractor......


Regards D S D L

[YNWaN]

Perhaps they meant the rough position of the headshell when the arm is parked - otherwise it doesn't mean anything.

[Mike_New]

I must agree with those who reccomend using the SME alignment tools.
I have use these on my own 'V' and have obtained excellent results.
The only concern that I have, is that the supposed optimal rest position of the arm puts it very close to the edge of the platter.

[Dominic Harper]

Perhaps they meant the rough position of the headshell when the arm is parked - otherwise it doesn't mean anything.

Mark is spot on.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Mark is spot on.

Sorry I should have clarified. I originally called SME wanting the tonearm mounting template as this would done the job for me without having to bug you guys ;) The chap at SME quoted £25 for the template but mentioned that in his experience that the mounting template was the most underused piece of kit on the V, he then said that SME recommended distance from platter edge should be 53-55mm, I PRESUME THIS IS WITH HEAD SHELL PARKED. I didn't purchase the mounting template purely because I trust SME and I know they have an utterly excellent technical department so for me it was a fair assumption the guy on the end of the phone was correct!!

I have included a picture (sorry for the crap quality) with the current position of my V, currently is 53mm from the outer platter or line 2 on the picture. I hope this make things clearer. All other aligments have been checked, cartridge position, VTF, VTA, etc and they all check out.

Andy

[The Grand Wazoo]

It really doesn't matter one little bit what that distance is as long as the cartridge is able to track the full playing surface of the record. The only other considerations are:


Does it's position put the stylus in danger of accidental damage?
Does it impede access to the turntable controls?
Does it look right?


Personally, I think a straight arm-tube only looks right when it's parallel to the outer edge of the plinth. Others may not.

[Stratmangler]

This might give you a better idea

http://www.sme.ltd.uk/uploads/images/Model20-3-b.jpg

I think the distance quoted refers to the distance from the edge of where a record on the platter would be, so in your case you're looking at position 1.

I'm in agreement with Chris about all of the points he's raised.

[YNWaN]

I have included a picture (sorry for the crap quality) with the current position of my V, currently is 53mm from the outer platter or line 2 on the picture. I hope this make things clearer. All other aligments have been checked, cartridge position, VTF, VTA, etc and they all check out.

Andy

Yeah, but think about it Andy; the relevant relationship is the distance of the arm pivot from the record centre (trust me, of this I am 100% positive) - this distance has nothing to do with how far the headshell is from the edge of the platter when at rest - that distance can be hugely different and the cartridge can be correctly aligned, likewise, it can be spot on and the alignment entirely wrong.

You don't actually need the official SME protractor as such (I suspect SME were talking about the template they supply which helps you drill the hole in the armboard in the right place when they said it was rarely used) - You can get a custom Baerwald protractor from Vinyl Engine. Would you like me to make one - Ill have a look?

You definitely cannot align the cartridge correctly without a two point protractor.

[Wakefield Turntables]

This might give you a better idea

http://www.sme.ltd.uk/uploads/images/Model20-3-b.jpg

I think the distance quoted refers to the distance from the edge of where a record on the platter would be, so in your case you're looking at position 1.

I'm in agreement with Chris about all of the points he's raised.

:wowzer: I love my 1210 but I think i'd love one of those even more!

[YNWaN]

OK, I've made a two point protractor specific to the SME V (using SME specifications) - PM me your email address and I will email it to you. The template includes two 100mm lines, but they are just so that you can measure it when you have printed it, to make sure it has printed the correct size.

[Stratmangler]

:wowzer: I love my 1210 but I think i'd love one of those even more!

http://www.sme.ltd.uk/uploads/images/Model30-2big.jpg

This is the one to have ;)

[Mike_New]

Do not forget when setting up the 'V" it is important to set the tracking weight/force before finally setting up the VTA for horizontal level with the white line on the arm.
Depending on the cartridge this can make a noticeable difference.

[Marco]

:wowzer: I love my 1210 but I think i'd love one of those even more!

Trust me, the SME would likely sound worse! ;)

Mike, please see my post here, regarding your offer of a copper armplate: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=271324#post271324

:)

Marco.

[Audioman]

Trust me, the SME would likely sound worse! ;)

Mike, please see my post here, regarding your offer of a copper armplate: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=271324#post271324

:)

Marco.

Though I suspect your right you don't seem absolutely sure Marco. The latest SME 20 has been improved apparantley. You are paying for a fairly complex design and of course the SME name. I can't see how they justify extra 5K for the 12" versions of their TT's though. Sound for pound I would be looking elsewhere including the new Inspire Monarch.

[pure sound]

Personally, I think a straight arm-tube only looks right when it's parallel to the outer edge of the plinth. Others may not.

The issue with the V is often the orientation of the 'sled' which with some motor units (SP10 being a good example) has to sit oriented fore to aft to allow the mounting point of the arm to be the correct distance from the spindle.

However, with the sled so aligned, it is impossible to also have the armtube aligned (when resting) parallel to the edge of the plinth as such alignment doesn't then allow the armtube to make a full arc all the way to the run-out grooves.

Because of the enforced sled orientation, on an SP10 it is actually necessary to have the arm rotated such that the headshell is parked over the front right hand surface of the motor unit to then achieve full travel of the armtube across the record.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh107/pure_sound/technics.jpg

It doesn't appear from your picture that the sled has been oriented fore to aft so I can't see that the same constraint will apply.

Whatever, provided that your spindle to arm mount distance is correct, it won't matter on your deck exactly where the arm parks provided that it is still free to fully traverse the record from outer to innermost groove. If it will park with the armtube parallel to the edge of the plinth and still get across to the run out groove, that's the position I'd choose both for ergonomic & aesthetic reasons.

[drrd]

Does it not affect the anti-skate force? SME V comes with a stick with marks on it to show you exactly where it should be at rest and don't think I've ever seen it set up parallel to the plinth edge.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Guys,

Thanks for all the replied so far. My V is now set up correctly (i think!). I have a Mike New tonearm board so the spindle distance is accurate. The cartridge has been checked with 3 seperate protractors and this seems to be in alignment. VTF / tracking / VTA have all been checked and re-checked. The only problem I had was HTA which according to the guys on here isn't so important so long as the cartridge tracks (which it does), I just happen to have left it a 53mm from the outer most rim of the MN platter. I can confirm that microdynamics have improved and drums seems more forcefull, cymbals have more shimmer, there are other improvements but I'll not bore you. So, thanks for all the help and my V is now singing again.

Andy