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Thread: Budget high compliance cart for SME 3009s2 improved?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jun 2019

    Location: Lewisham

    Posts: 93
    I'm Neds.

    Default Budget high compliance cart for SME 3009s2 improved?

    As above. Posted this on the Wam a few months ago. There seems to be very limited choice for this particular version of the 3009. I originally had an AT 110e on it, which I seem to remember working fine, until I bent the cantilever. I wondered if the new AT 95 VM range would work? Or indeed, any other modern carts? It’s got a Pickering V15 on it at the moment, but with a stylus of unknown age/ hours. It plays ok, but can be sibilant, which suggests some wear

  2. #2
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Dublin

    Posts: 506
    I'm Pavel.

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    Hi Neds, is your tonearm S2 improved (with detachable headshell) or Series II Improved (non-detachable headshell)? The former's effective mass is 9.5g which makes it compatible with many of today's cartridges including AT-VM95, Ortofon 2M series etc.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jun 2019

    Location: Lewisham

    Posts: 93
    I'm Neds.

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    It's the detachable headshell version, which I think means it's the lightest?

  4. #4
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Dublin

    Posts: 506
    I'm Pavel.

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    I don't think so, the headshell socket adds quite a bit of mass. The non-detachable version is 6.5g — now THAT is problematic. S2 Improved (9.5g) is fine with many of today's cartridges including even some MCs (e.g. Goldring Eroica).

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jun 2019

    Location: Lewisham

    Posts: 93
    I'm Neds.

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    You've opened up my world! The gist from elsewhere on the web was that a high compliance cartridge would be best, which aren't manufactured in such great numbers/ varieties. The Pickering sounded good when I was using the Audiolab as an integrated, but when I used it as a phono preamp, coming out of the tape sockets, it sounded very muffled?

  6. #6
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

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    not had an issue using carts with the sme 2 imp. just add extra weight to the back weight. itll do 2 grams or so tracking easily too. ive used loads of carts with mine, when i had one.
    Regards,
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  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

    Posts: 31,856
    I'm openingabottleofwine.

    Default

    Pavel is correct. Your SME is the 3009 Series II (Improved) S2, with a detachable headshell. Assuming you will use the arm with the SME headshell the effective mass is 9.5g.

    It is not possible to quote a preferred cartridge compliance to suit the arm, as you need to take the mass of the cartridge into account as well. Without actually suggesting a particular cartridge, ideally any cartridge that satisfies the following will be OK:

    175 < MC < 400

    where M is the total mass in gram (= effective mass of the arm (9.5g for your arm) + mass of the cartridge + mass of fixings (say 0.5g)) and C is the compliance (in compliance units (e.g. 6.5 for the Audio Technica AT95)).

    Information for other cartridges can be found on the vinylengine.com cartridge database.
    Barry

  8. #8
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Milton Keynes

    Posts: 387
    I'm Martin.

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    I use an SME Series III which is lighter than your arm and it has worked well with Ortofon 2M series and the latest AT VM95 ML. The AT's are a real bargain and suprised me how good they sound.
    GyroDec 2M Black, Amplification: Luxman 505ux.
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  9. #9
    Join Date: Jun 2019

    Location: Lewisham

    Posts: 93
    I'm Neds.

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    This is all very useful. I can’t understand how I was sent down a high compliance blind alley! All the carts that you’re now talking about are the ones that I was considering before that distraction. Thanks all and a Happier New Year 😉

  10. #10
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    There's nothing to stop you adding a bit of mass to the headshell if it helps. Suitable weights are available.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

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