Wanted: SME V Tonearm

[Colin151]

Looking for an SME V, to complement the Michell Orbe I just acquired.

Any age/condition considered. Please let me know if you have anything.

Cheers,
Colin

[Colin151]

Been offered a couple of arms but they were both around 20 years old.

The arm is certainly built to last but I'd ideally prefer one with the most recent spec. Apparently this was a cabling change about 13-14 years ago. So a post 1999-2000 model would be what I am really looking for.

If anyone has one, or knows of one that could be for sale then please let me know.

[Wakefield Turntables]

My advice would be to buy old and then the money you save could be used to send it to audio origami to get it upto current (and better) spec. This is what I did with mine and have never looked back. One of the mods you might want to try is a continuous run of silver or copper from the cartridge tags to the tonearm adapter (amongst other things:eyebrows:).

[Colin151]

Hi Andrew,
Thanks, that's good advice for getting an older one for a cheap price, - worth considering getting it modded. Just trying to search and be patient at the moment, as I'd ideally prefer one of current spec (which is under 13-14 years old according to SME).

How much did your Kondo rewire cost BTW? about £250 or so?

Cheers,
Colin

[Audioman]

My advice would be to buy old and then the money you save could be used to send it to audio origami to get it upto current (and better) spec. This is what I did with mine and have never looked back. One of the mods you might want to try is a continuous run of silver or copper from the cartridge tags to the tonearm adapter (amongst other things:eyebrows:).

The problem is that old ones are difficult to identify as such and fetch a disproportionately high price. I think the best buy is a fairly recent arm in top condition preferably with the optional upgraded silver wire. A newish arm will be well a below new price and not necessarily that much more than one that is old. Also condition is everything with arms - genuine mint is cheaper in the long run. You don't want bad cosmetics plus cost of new bearings as well as a rewire ? Also a boxed and well loved example will include the desirable tools and accessories. - Or just save a lot and buy a new 309 as the differences in SQ aren't enormous or save more by getting an M2-9 - some think it sounds as good as a V. An alternative that some V users are changing to is the new Audio Note. The top version with silver wiring is no more than the average used V and they are a good match for a Mitchell deck. Review and info on Hi-fi Wigwam.

[Wakefield Turntables]

The problem is that old ones are difficult to identify as such and fetch a disproportionately high price. I think the best buy is a fairly recent arm in top condition preferably with the optional upgraded silver wire. A newish arm will be well a below new price and not necessarily that much more than one that is old. Also condition is everything with arms - genuine mint is cheaper in the long run. You don't want bad cosmetics plus cost of new bearings as well as a rewire ? Also a boxed and well loved example will include the desirable tools and accessories. - Or just save a lot and buy a new 309 as the differences in SQ aren't enormous or save more by getting an M2-9 - some think it sounds as good as a V. An alternative that some V users are changing to is the new Audio Note. The top version with silver wiring is no more than the average used V and they are a good match for a Mitchell deck. Review and info on Hi-fi Wigwam.

Paul,

Some good points. I think the V has had another price increase so older will be cheaper. The whole idea of sending the arm to J7 at Audio Origami is that he can pretty much do ANY job on the V and get it better than original spec. I had my tonearm completely checked over, rewired, lubed and all sorts of other stuff for £250, this also included a new set of cart tags. This was some time ago so his prices may have gone up. With regards to the tools and templates that come with the V, they can either be downloaded or alternatives can be bought.

A

[MCRU]

Hi
Why an SME and why a V? Just asking as there are numerous other arms that may peform better on your TT (not the ones I sell either)?

[Audioman]

Andrew.

My point is irrespective of price rise, why buy a relatively pricey arm used and then spend a considerable amount more on modifying it when for similar money or less you can actually buy a better sounding arm new? To my list I would add the Audiomods arm and the latest Mitchell Technoarm, which based on the improved Rega arm tube, will likely be a significant step up. If one insists on a Magnesium tubed SME get a new 309 as the latest has I believe improved internal wiring (from about the time of the price rise). I'm sure in most systems the difference will not be great especially against a V likely over 10 years old. Think Colin should look at the alternatives especially the Audio Note. If you can afford around £1K I think with arms (as with cartridges) new is the way to go for peace of mind and to avoid any hidden nasties.

Paul.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hi
Why an SME and why a V? Just asking as there are numerous other arms that may peform better on your TT (not the ones I sell either)?

The topic is about SME, clues in the thread.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Paul,

Your missing my point. You dont have to MODIFY a V if you dont want to. They are usually so well put together that you dont need to doing anything with them regardless of age hence buyng cheap and getting a second hand model. I'd advise against a Technoarm, there crap compared to a V, I have one. But, it might be just the thing for a orbe.

[Colin151]

Yes agreed with regards to buying a used one. Perhaps not all potential buyers realise that this arm has been in production since 1985 so there are loads of very old ones out there.

Fortunately SME will tell you the month and year of manufacture if you give them the serial no.

Thanks for the tip on the AN and the other SMEs. Will give them a look, but if I've got a Michell Orbe I really want to try the arm John Michell designed the deck around.

Cheers,
Colin


The problem is that old ones are difficult to identify as such and fetch a disproportionately high price. I think the best buy is a fairly recent arm in top condition preferably with the optional upgraded silver wire. A newish arm will be well a below new price and not necessarily that much more than one that is old. Also condition is everything with arms - genuine mint is cheaper in the long run. You don't want bad cosmetics plus cost of new bearings as well as a rewire ? Also a boxed and well loved example will include the desirable tools and accessories. - Or just save a lot and buy a new 309 as the differences in SQ aren't enormous or save more by getting an M2-9 - some think it sounds as good as a V. An alternative that some V users are changing to is the new Audio Note. The top version with silver wiring is no more than the average used V and they are a good match for a Mitchell deck. Review and info on Hi-fi Wigwam.

[Audioman]

Andrew. I'm speculating the new version of Technoarm may be a lot better and do appreciate that SME is better than the original version. I don't see how you can guarantee an SME V hasn't been abused any more than any other used arm.

Colin. The Orbe was not designed specifically for the SME V. It was designed as an upgrade to the Gyro which in fact was, in an earlier incarnation used by SME at least as one platform to develop the V. In fact Mitchell decks were designed to be compatible with a wide range of arms within limits of weight. e.g. the Dynavector is much too heavy. The normal recommendations were for Rega and SME but there have since emerged a number of other arms that are known to work well.

Paul.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I don't see how you can guarantee an SME V hasn't been abused any more than any other used arm.


I cant, thats why I use someone that can. ;)

[The Grand Wazoo]

The House of Michell favoured a combination during the mid eighties that comprised of Gyro/Zeta/Goldbug.

[Colin151]

Hi Paul,

You are of course right regarding the Orbe being a development/upgrade of the Gyrodeck, and the decks being designed to be compatible with a wide range of tonearms in mind, but John Michell used an SME V himself, and I think its very likely the Orbe was designed to go with the V (in particular) very well. Read this many times on the internet and also was told that by someone who had contact with John Michell.

I have to ring Michell soon to order so parts, so I'll ask about it then.

I like the way Michell can adjust the armplate weight using different materials (acrylic, aluminium etc) to make the arm/plate combo come to about 1kg. However I know the Graham phantom can also work Ok with the Orbe and that weighs 1.3kg on its own.

Anyway, not having much luck with my SME V search at the moment. Only been offered v old examples, which I'd rather not risk, and (like I say) I ideally want one under 13 years old as that will have the newer VDH501 silver hybrid external cable.

Hopefully something suitable will turn up soon....



Andrew. I'm speculating the new version of Technoarm may be a lot better and do appreciate that SME is better than the original version. I don't see how you can guarantee an SME V hasn't been abused any more than any other used arm.

Colin. The Orbe was not designed specifically for the SME V. It was designed as an upgrade to the Gyro which in fact was, in an earlier incarnation used by SME at least as one platform to develop the V. In fact Mitchell decks were designed to be compatible with a wide range of arms within limits of weight. e.g. the Dynavector is much too heavy. The normal recommendations were for Rega and SME but there have since emerged a number of other arms that are known to work well.

Paul.

[The Grand Wazoo]

SME/vdH cables? - they're awful! You can do much much better than that.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Call j7 at audio origami

[Colin151]

Perhaps, but I'd ideally prefer to get an all stock V first, see how it sounds, then fiddle around doing cable changes myself later if necessary.

Cheers,
Colin


SME/vdH cables? - they're awful! You can do much much better than that.

[loo]

Hi why not get the cheapest V you can find then send it to SME for a service then you will have an as new arm , saves any worries about condition :)

[Colin151]

Thanks, yes that's not a bad idea I guess. Trouble is the service costs £500, so the old arm would have to be cheap enough to compensate for that.




Hi why not get the cheapest V you can find then send it to SME for a service then you will have an as new arm , saves any worries about condition :)

[macvisual]

If your still looking for a SME V tonearm I have one in silver, comes with original box and in pretty much immaculate condition with standard RCA interconnect tonearm cable also.

Regards;
Peter
Central Scotland