12" arm on a Roksan Xerxes?

[Thebiglebowski]

I'm thinking about fitting an SME 3012 to my Xerxes as I like the 3009 so much but not sure if it will fit as all the photos I've seen of 3012's with Garrard 301/401 have the arm mounted further out than normal. Will it work on a Xerxes or is the deck only suitable for 9" arms?

[6L6]

Determine what the spindle to pivot distance is for the tonearm in which you are interested.

In the case of a SME 3012, that number is 295.6mm. IS there anywhere in the arm mounting area at that dimension? The 12" arms needs to be mounted about 3.5" further away from the spindle as the 9"...

[Barry]

Vinyl engine has it as 294mm, but since the SME arms use a sliding bedplate to adjust the overhang, a difference of 1.5mm is easily absorbed in the +/- 12.7mm adjustment range.

However the important point to note is early SME arms were designed to follow the Stevenson geometry, with an inner null-radius of 60.325mm (= 2 3/8").

[YNWaN]

I would be surprised if it could be fitted as the Xerxes was not made with 12" arms in mind.

[Spectral Morn]

It won't work, too long.


Regards Neil

[hifi_dave]

See where the present arm mounting hole is and imagine making another hole approx 3 inches or 75mm back from that and that is where the centre of your 12 inch arm would be. It can't be done.

[Thebiglebowski]

Cheers all, looks like I'll be saving the pocket money for a 309 instead then.

[DSJR]

I was only going to add that if it's an original Xerxes, the arm board area of the top plate suffers with sagging. A 309 (or 310 if you can persuade one to fit?) will be excellent I reckon ;)

[hifi_dave]

However, an SME 309 is rather heavy and will accelerate the 'sag'.

[paskinn]

Cheers all, looks like I'll be saving the pocket money for a 309 instead then.

If you particularly enjoy the sound of the 3009 then it might be worth considering the M2-10, rather than the 309. I think you will find that the M series are closer to the presentation of the 3009 than the 309 is. As usual, the problem is actually hearing both arms in the same set-up. The 309, at least to my ears, is a 'tighter', more 'controlled type of sound; the M2-10 a little more fluid and relaxed. It will work perfectly well in most 9 inch cut-outs Personally, I would not assume that the more expensive arm is automatically better. It depends on taste and system matching.
Nothing new there, then.

[Spectral Morn]

However, an SME 309 is rather heavy and will accelerate the 'sag'.

If it has one, which it may not. Though I would concede the possibility is high.


Regards Neil

[Thebiglebowski]

Just like one of Mary Berrys tarts I have no saggy bottom.

It's an old rosewood xerxes but the gap is less than 1mm.