SME 3009 & SPU's

[Wakefield Turntables]

Guys,

I need some help from people that have far superior knowledge than my own (that's not difficult)! I'm finally getting around to building me new plinth for my Garrard 301. It's going to be a 2 tonearm affair compromising of a SME 3012 and a SME 3009. Its the 3009 I need a little help with. The 3009 will be used with a Ortofon MONO SPU, it weight 30.77g. So, my question! Will my stubb weight which weighs 108.70g be heavy enough to balance the SPU?? I've heard that it should JUST about balance it but I prefer to have a little wiggle room should I choose to use heavier SPU's or other carts. As always thanks.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just been experimenting. Looks like I would need 175g for the stub weight. Would I need a heavier weight to add the tracking force for the cartridge?

[Barry]

Do what I do - use your scales to set the counterweight to counterbalance the cartridge weight less the recommended tracking weight (say 2g), that is 28.77g. That way you will have a reasonable range of adjustment for the VTF.

The SME was designed initially for the SPU, so you ought not have any problem.

[Barry]

Oops! I've just noticed you are using the "Improved" version SME arm.

SME used to offer a range of counterbalance weights, but since the company changed hands, the new owners are no longer interested in the 3000 series arms

Magna Audio might be able to machine you a larger, heavier counterweight.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I've been doing a little research. Mine is the Improved S2 version (I think). It looks like I'm going to find a 175g counter weight. I'll need to buy an additional weight for the VTF. It's all good as it looks like the S2 improved was designed for usage with the carts from the 70's with tracking forces of 1g etc (Shure V15 etc). I have a interest for these early Shure carts. It looks like this tonearm could be a good workhorse for my MONO stuff and the weird and wonderful MM's from the 70's with pimped JICO stylii.

[Barry]

I use an SME 3009 (Improved) arm with the standard counterweight with an Ortofon MC200 cartridge, without any problem.
The latter has a mass of 16.5g (the S2 headshell is not used).

[Wakefield Turntables]

The SPU has has a mass of 31g

[Barry]

I know.
Actually the exact weight of the various SPUs depends on the exact variant, but are similar to within a gram or two.

My reply was to suggest that the 'standard' Improved 3009 arm can be used with MC cartridges, and need not be restricted to fixed coil cartridges.