tracking error of SME 3012

[Wakefield Turntables]

Does anyone know the tracking error of a SME 3012 or SME V-12? I've heard that 12" tonearms like the 3012 have a tracking error of 0.67%, is this true?

[DiveDeepDog]

If you put the numbers in Vinyl Engine, Lofgren A submits 0.47% maximum distortion.

I'm assuming maximum distortion = tracking error ? I can always be wrong though :scratch:

[Shovel_Knight]

No, tracking error is the difference between the ideal tracking angle (when the stylus is tangential to the groove) and the actual tracking angle.

[Wakefield Turntables]

The only reason I ask is because I'm considering a 16" tonearm and just want to see how much of an improvment in tracking error improves from 12 to 16" :eek:

[DiveDeepDog]

No, tracking error is the difference between the ideal tracking angle (when the stylus is tangential to the groove) and the actual tracking angle.

Same figures show 1.36 degrees maximum error. With 16" arm that goes down to 1 degree. Distortion from 0.47>0.34%.

Same as everything, which set of compromise's do your ears prefer? Extra length may reduce distortions, but adds it's own issues with rigidity, effective mass and lots of other technical issues.

[DiveDeepDog]

Doh, wrong again, I'm off :-)

[Barry]

For a given arm geometry both the offset angle and overhang are inversely related to the effective arm length.

The distortion caused by deviation from tangential tracking is proportional to the tangent of the angular error, so is more or less inversely proportional to the effective arm length.

Thus the tracking distortion of a 12" arm will be 3/4 of that for a 9" arm: in the case of the SME arms 0.65% maximum distortion for the 3009, and 0.49% for the 3012.

It therefore follows that a 16" arm will have 3/4 of the distortion of that for a 12" arm, or 0.37%.

However longer arms will have their own disadvantages: increased effective mass and reduced torsional and flexural rigidity, so are not a panacea by any means.

[disarmamant]

Same as everything, which set of compromise's do your ears prefer? Extra length may reduce distortions, but adds it's own issues with rigidity, effective mass and lots of other technical issues.

A ten inch tone arm is a very good compromise in terms of rigidity and effective mass.

Try to hear a Phonomac modified Audio Technica AT 1010 (PMAT1010) superb sound quality, dynamic and highly detailed with both MC and MM cartridges. Completely outclassed my SME IV.

[Wakefield Turntables]

A ten inch tone arm is a very good compromise in terms of rigidity and effective mass.

Try to hear a Phonomac modified Audio Technica AT 1010 (PMAT1010) superb sound quality, dynamic and highly detailed with both MC and MM cartridges. Completely outclassed my SME IV.

I was in the market for one but he couldn't do a 12" version. Ah well.....

[disarmamant]

I was in the market for one but he couldn't do a 12" version. Ah well.....

Why do you need a 12” version?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Why do you need a 12” version?

Because I like extra length, fnarrrrr.... :eyebrows: