What is the best cartridge match to SME 3012/II?

[anubisgrau]

Just curious to see what are the AoS thoughts?

MM, MI, MC, anything!

Thanks

[Barry]

The SME 3012 (/II) has an effective mass of 14g, so is ideally suited to cartridges having low to medium compliance, regardless of generator.

The original 3012 was designed for the Ortofon SPUG (which is why SME adopted the bayonet coupling designed by Ortofon). I have used several cartridges having a compliance of no more than 15cu in a 3012/II arm and now in an M2 -12R arm, with satisfactory results.

Your video clip shows an Ortofon MC20 used in an SME 3012 arm. I used to use a MC20 in a 3009 arm, but was not happy with the result - but that was due to the cartridge; other Ortofon MCs (SPU, S-15TE and SL15E) sounded better to my ears.

[Shovel_Knight]

I recently got a Goldring 2500 for my SME 3012/II and the combo sounds amazing.

[audioblazer]

I love how SPU Century sounded with SME 3012R especially jazz music

[mbic]

Have a word with SME.
I heard some time ago that due to the use of ‘knife edge bearingsk, moving coil cartridges aren’t suitable.
I used to run a SME 3009 and always stuck to moving magnet designs.

[walpurgis]

I heard some time ago that due to the use of ‘knife edge bearingsk, moving coil cartridges aren’t suitable.

I'd take that with a pinch of salt.

[Barry]

So would I.

The usual tale is because MC cartridges have a lower compliance than that of MM (fixed coil) designs, more energy is transmitted through the arm tube which can cause the knife edge bearings to 'rattle'. However if one considers the dead weight of the arm, including the counterweight, I would think it impossible that the excess energy would be able to lift the arm off one of the bearings!

As a point of information, Alastair Robertson-Aikman designed the SME arm for his own use to use either an Ortofon SPUG or a prototype EMG cartridge - both moving coil designs.

[mbic]

Yes, the arm was designed around the SPUG, however attitudes change. Who would have thought that Garrard 301 and 401’s were any good?
Like with all pastimes fashions come and go.

SME are only an email or phone call away, worth getting their opinion.

[walpurgis]

Who would have thought that Garrard 301 and 401’s were any good?

I don't recall their being underappreciated.

[Barry]

SME are only an email or phone call away, worth getting their opinion.

You can try, but SME is not the same company it once was. It is quite likely they are no longer interested in the earlier arms: they certainly won't service them any more.