Moving Magnet on a SME V

[Johnny nocash]

Have any of you learned folks ever used a MM cartridge on a SME V arm?
I appreciate that most go down the MC route but wondered what results have been found when the crime was comitted ��

[Mike Reed]

At 11 grammes eff. mass, it's at the lighter end of medium mass arms, and therefore suitable for many if not most high compliance moving magnet cart's. I've currently got an Ortofon VMS20E mark 2 (high comp.+1 g VTF) on my 14.5 g. 12" Nott. Analogue Ace Anna. Sounds way better than expected. Therefore, quite a bit of leeway and the Five is a very versatile arm anyway.

[walpurgis]

I'd expect the more upmarket Audio Technica MM's to suit well. Or a Technics EPC-205, if a decent one could still be sourced.

[Vrajbasi]

I have owned a few Sme series V arms since 1987, I have tried the technic 205 which was lovely I had a few reliability issues maybe it was just my luck, I also owned a shure ultra 500 which I also liked a bit laid back compared to the technics.

As for current offerings I have a friend who only runs MM cartridges on his Sme Series V and have heard the GL2500 BY Goldring which I found very full bodied and rich I liked it maybe a bit overpowering for some but fantastic weight and scale, I have also heard the Audio Technica VM760SL very fast and detailed a little thin compared to the Goldring I preferred the Goldring. I have also heard the £1500 grado MM I the statement 2 and it did sound very well balanced and seemed to work really on the sme bass was very deep midrange had no glare or brightness with a very sweet top, dynamics were superb. The sme tonearm can be a bit bleached and sterile but with the right cartridge one can get good results.

[Barry]

The (Decca) London 'Reference' works very well in the SME V.

[Johnny nocash]

Thanks for the input so far folks, interesting stuff.

At the moment I'm using a transfiguration Pheonix S mc which I really like & still has a lot of life in it yet. I feel it's very neutral but I'm not averse to trying something new.
My friend is about to try going back to mm & it just got me thinking too. I've read many reports of people actually missing the 'musicality' of these cartridges after 'moving up' to mc & so I'm picking your brains' boys.
Obviously this isn't an urgent situation but intrigue's got the better of me.

[Vrajbasi]

The (Decca) London 'Reference' works very well in the SME V.

Great choice was thinking the same but was not sure of budget

[Mike Reed]

At the moment I'm using a transfiguration Pheonix S mc which I really like & still has a lot of life in it yet. I feel it's very neutral but I'm not averse to trying something new.

Ooh ! That's a strange route to take, assuming your phono stage is doing your Phoenix justice. I should have mentioned in my post re. the VMS20E that my other arm has a Proteus on in. You have a very fine cart., and I'm sure you'll find a difference with a m.m., but probably not a step up. If you do go ahead, keep the Transfig. for when it goes back on again.

[Johnny nocash]

Sorry Mike I didn't explain properly. I'm in no rush to discard the Pheonix & my phono does do it justice.
I'm considering alternatives for when it's coming to the end of its life. In all honesty, I don't feel I could justify the expense of an equivalent new MC cartridge these days so the MM has an obvious appeal. I know the cartridges already mentioned aren't cheap but they are in comparison.

[Barry]

Sorry Mike I didn't explain properly. I'm in no rush to discard the Pheonix & my phono does do it justice.
I'm considering alternatives for when it's coming to the end of its life. In all honesty, I don't feel I could justify the expense of an equivalent new MC cartridge these days so the MM has an obvious appeal. I know the cartridges already mentioned aren't cheap but they are in comparison.

I believe the Transfiguration Proteus costs around £3,500 and the London Reference around £3,000.

[Johnny nocash]

I believe the Transfiguration Proteus costs around £3,500 and the London Reference around £3,000.


Exactly Barry, £500 cheaper!!��
Realistically I'd be looking at the Goldring 2500 level if buying new.

[Vrajbasi]

I thought so hence the not suggesting the London Reference, I find the decca the best match for the SME V even above the proteus which works better in say a PU7 or graham the Sme seems to like to have some life injected into it. Cartridge matching like with most tonearms is so important the Sme V seems to need that extra bit of care taken as some describe and neutral some say flat some say boring but on the same note is a fine tonearm that has stood the test of time.

[take5]

I had a Voyd 3 motor version with an SME 5 on it. a friend lent me an Audio Note MM cartridge. I cant remember which version, but it sounded great.

I took it to the Scalford show that year and it received much favourable comment.

[Mike Reed]

... and the London Reference around £3,000.

Ye gods; a Decca or m.m. costing upper territory m/coil money? Wonder how this differs from the other Deccas. Had a C4E (I think it was) once and can remember the presentational aspects even after 45 years.

[Barry]

Exactly Barry, £500 cheaper!!��
Realistically I'd be looking at the Goldring 2500 level if buying new.

Sorry, I must have misunderstood - I thought you were looking for a fixed-coil cartridge that was similarly priced.

How much would it cost to have your Transfiguration re-tipped?

[JohnG]

This option is away from the brief, and closer in value to a Big Brand MM.
A High Output Moving Coil 'Acoustical Systems The Archon'.