SME Series III (3) Mods & Suggestions

[RCruz]

Hi Lee

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15178

Following this link I confirmed my idea... this tonearm needs some damping... use the little pool filled with silicon fluid.

Quote "The damper trough, which should have three paddles (white, grey, black) will damp the cantilever motion, and is beneficial with Grado cartridges. "

Quote "Cartridges with Compliance Units ratings of 15 or more are good candidates for this tonearm. "CU"lower than 15 should work better on heavier tonearms. "

Regards

Ricardo

PS

Also verify VTA.... lowering the base gets fuller bass but less detail... raise the back and you get more attack until it gets edgy... May take days, I use personal cards to set the correct height (so I know how many cards for each cart).

[webby]

Hi All,
I have finally finished the rewire. Phew! a lot harder the the Rega & Linn rewires i have done. But well worth it, i can say without any doubt the sound quality has improved; More detail and overall more composed. I would recommend a rewire based on the age of these arms alone, and appear to respond very well.
Have it fitted to my TT and am extremely happy with the sound!
Cheers
Ian

[Thomo]

Originally posted by webby
Hi All,
I have finally finished the rewire. Phew! a lot harder the the Rega & Linn rewires i have done. But well worth it, i can say without any doubt the sound quality has improved; More detail and overall more composed. I would recommend a rewire based on the age of these arms alone, and appear to respond very well.
Have it fitted to my TT and am extremely happy with the sound!
Cheers
Ian

Whoa, nice pic. What is the TT?

Lee.

[webby]

Thanks for your comments.
I have built this myself utilising the DIY audio "mark kelly Maxon / elgar Emi " group buy. i then bought a VPI platter and bearing. The Plinth is solid walnut, sink cut out from the kitchen worktop. Some vibration absorbing rubber siliconed to the wood and an Asda granite chopping board appoxyed to that. I am over the moon with it, to my ears it sounds fantastic. Way, way above my TD321 / Linn combo.

Cheers
Ian

[RCruz]

Hi Ian

Very good news.

What tipe of wire did you use ?

Also, in your TT, what type of motor are you using ?

Any outboard power supply ?

Sorry for so many questions but I really love the picture.

Ricardo

[whitepeak]

Hi All

I need to rewire the tone arm wand of my SME series 3. Will any kind person give me some detailed instructions of how to remove the fitting on the end of the wand - opposite to the cartridge end?

Having removed the two screws I was expecting the fitting to come off easily. I don't like to push or pull too much until I now how it comes apart.

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Regards
Anthony

[RCruz]

Maybe this could help.

http://www.theanalogdept.com/sme3009s3.htm

Ricardo

[Thomo]

From what I remember, with the screws removed you can gently prise the plug out of the end of the arm wand with a small flat watchmakers style screwdriver.

Cheers, Lee.

[whitepeak]

Hi Recardo and Lee

Thank you for your help, much appreciated. Having read that someone had managed to trash one of these arms when trying to dismantle it, I felt the need to seek advice. I was thinking that the collar came off rather than the pins coming out of the collar.
It's easy when you know how isn't it?

Thanks again
Anthony

[roro1]

Hi i own a sme series III.I have run a cart with a 15 cu compliance with sucess.That is not a high compliance cart by any means.
There are two arm wands.Early and late the late arm haS a larger headshell.It's heavier.I run a light early arm.
I am not suprised rewireing the arm would be a improvement.Every thread i have ever read on older sme arms have stated a nice improvement.Every thread also states how tough a rewire it is so good for you finishing such a tough job.
I love my arm.It's looks and it's sound.?Rember it was designed in the 70's when injection molding was no where near what it is now.Then it was a tecnological tour de force.
I would and have chosen this arm over a newer arm such as the rega 300.
Why?It's sexy!It simply looks gorgeous.It's a s shaped arm.I think thats a advantage.I also bought it because i wanted to run a high compliance cart.I find a benifit here because i run a lower tracking weight.It simply makes sense that you wear out your records less with a sensible vtf.In my case 1.5 grams vs 2 to 3 grams for a lowcompliance mc.
Things like heavy vs light arms go in and out of style.Now it's out of style.LOL so what it works beautifuly.
There are more than a few choices in cart's fot the arm.I presently run a grado sonata 20 cu.It simply sounds great.
I love when guys bash it.I wish they did it more!
Why ?I want a second one.Yep for my other table.
Just so you naysayers know your not being vocal enough.The prices on smeIII's are climbing on ebay.There 100 more now vs a year ago to buy.
If i had one thing bad to say about the arm it would be this.I has tons of tweeks.You really need to dial them in.It's easy to forget a step.If you do dial it in you do get a nice payoff!