Sme iv on a techie any advice please?

[Zoidburg]

Morning all.

Any advice on setting up a sme iv on a techie please?

I bought a vinyl source ltd armboard which ive use to fit the arm to the deck but when all set up I seem to still be about 5 or 6mm from needle touching record which is frustrating. I dont think I can see any further lowering adjustment on the arm itself.

Any advice would be lovely please.

Cheers in advance

Ben https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201104/2163af983c6f70fc9138bbb0cda84b5e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201104/91b8e36c8c056f29ec6e14649bacbd94.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201104/6939b7cbc15a1df3236c33e9c4d35ec2.jpg

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[flapland]

For some reason some SME have the curved side of the arm base on top and others on the bottom. Yours like mine is on top which means you loose some ability to drop it down further.

I have tried to slide the arm base off and refit but that could be an option. However I would be very careful as I suspect there are lots of small parts to allow the base to be slid forward and back.

Hope that make sense.

If you google SME IV or V arms photos you will see more clearly.

[CageyH]

Fit a 5mm achromat?

[CageyH]

Failing that, a different armboard - https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/technics-sl-1200-armboard-sme-fit-copy/

[Ammonite Audio]

Failing that, a different armboard - https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/technics-sl-1200-armboard-sme-fit-copy/

My SME armboard sets the arm as low as it can actually go, and that's much lower than any other board, but ultimately the lowest arm height is limited by an SME IV/V/309 tonearm's rest plate meeting the SL-1210's plinth top, as shown below. The downside of recessing an SME arm like this is that you don't have easy access to the bedplate adjuster bolts, but there are practical ways to work around that.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171130_121214.jpg

[prestonchipfryer]

May be worth trying an Achromat. That's what I used before getting a MN platter.

[Zoidburg]

For some reason some SME have the curved side of the arm base on top and others on the bottom. Yours like mine is on top which means you loose some ability to drop it down further.

I have tried to slide the arm base off and refit but that could be an option. However I would be very careful as I suspect there are lots of small parts to allow the base to be slid forward and back.

Hope that make sense.

If you google SME IV or V arms photos you will see more clearly.Thats a possible i will look at that a bit more later today thanks as it might resolve things

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[Zoidburg]

My SME armboard sets the arm as low as it can actually go, and that's much lower than any other board, but ultimately the lowest arm height is limited by an SME IV/V/309 tonearm's rest plate meeting the SL-1210's plinth top, as shown below. The downside of recessing an SME arm like this is that you don't have easy access to the bedplate adjuster bolts, but there are practical ways to work around that.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171130_121214.jpgThats a lovely armboard and if other options don't work out il be in contact. Cheers

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[Zoidburg]

Fit a 5mm achromat?Possible thanks, il also look at this cheers

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[CageyH]

The 5mm is being discontinued soon, so you would need to get one whike stocks last.

[SiT4]

Looks lovely. Out of interest how doe the SME sound on the Techie ?

[mikeyb]

The Achromat sounds far superior to the Techie rubber mat [emoji6]

[Zoidburg]

Looks lovely. Out of interest how doe the SME sound on the Techie ?I've no idea yet :-) but I really hope it sounds bloody good.

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[WullieD20]

Achromat (5mm) AND a Houdini (6mm)......should sort it...two birds with one stone, so to speak cause the Houdini will improve the performance of your cart as well....:D

[The Vinyl Adventure]

The 5mm is being discontinued soon, so you would need to get one while stocks last.

Thats Matt saying that, I asked Arthur he said not, hey ho lol

[CageyH]

I was surprised to be honest.

[Ianmac]

Ben
have you thought about the option of raising the techie platter.
This would need a 6mm plate between the bearing and chassis baseplate and 6mm extensions on the PCB mouting screw holes.
There is a sticky on fitting a MN bearing/ chassis strenghtening plate at the start of techiepedia which will give you a full explanation.
The making of the 6mm plate is not rocket science and the only difficulty I can see is getting 6mm longer self tapping screws to hold the bearing and motor in position
There are other options available for fixing but you would need the help of a friendly engineer.
Only a thought at this stage.
Ian

[chris@panteg]

I used the Oyaide mat, I preferred it to the Achromat, also 5mm.
Another and cheap option is a cartridge carbon fibre spacer for the headshell.
But I've since sold my Technics and SME 309.

[Zoidburg]

Thanks for all the comments and advice folks,I've managed to sort it now.

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[Zoidburg]

For some reason some SME have the curved side of the arm base on top and others on the bottom. Yours like mine is on top which means you loose some ability to drop it down further.

I have tried to slide the arm base off and refit but that could be an option. However I would be very careful as I suspect there are lots of small parts to allow the base to be slid forward and back.

Hope that make sense.

If you google SME IV or V arms photos you will see more clearly.Thanks again for your comments flapland mate, inspired by your works I removed the collar assembly, inverted it and refitted it which sorted everything perfectly. Cheers again.

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[flapland]

Thanks again for your comments flapland mate, inspired by your works I removed the collar assembly, inverted it and refitted it which sorted everything perfectly. Cheers again.

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Glad that worked. How easy was it to do as, did you have to take it off completely or could you loosen it enough for it to slide over the connector. Asking as I would like to correct mine at somepoint.

[Zoidburg]

Glad that worked. How easy was it to do as, did you have to take it off completely or could you lose it enough for it to slide over the connector. Asking as I would like to correct mine at somepoint.I took it all off, it wasn't very difficult just a bit fiddly. There are a few small springs that you need to keep an eye on as it comes apart but its fairly logical how it goes back together.

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[flapland]

Thanks Ben, I have since done it and as you say fairly straightforward.

[Zoidburg]

Thanks Ben, I have since done it and as you say fairly straightforward.Good stuff!

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[oldius]

Brilliant news and so happy you're enjoying the SME IV - a great arm, for sure.