SME 3009 S2 and Denon DL10R set up

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355F1

355F1

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Joined 2008
#1
I have a brand new Denon DL 103R, which, unlike some others in the Denon line, the DL-103R is a low-compliance cartridge.

I have set the arm [3009 S2 improved, non-detachable headshell] in a state of equilibrium without problem even though the balance weight is basically hanging on to 1 thread to achieve this.

Per Denon's manual I adjusted the wayrod housing to 8.5 grams and set the rider weight along the wayrod to the maximum, 1.5 grams. It is not enough, Denon specifies 2.5grams [+/- 0.3g].

Therefore, using a Shure SFG2, I had to screw the balance weight in order to achieve the 2.5 grams recommended by Denon. In my opinion, this is not the correct way to set up my arm/cartridge combination properly.

The 103R is a superb cartridge. I have listened to it in budget and mega buck systems and I want to keep it. So, I have three choices:

1] Buy a 108 grams balance weight as used in the detachable headshell model.

2] Buy a heavier rider

3] sell the arm and buy one with a detachable headshell

What are your recommendations?

Best regards,
 
#4
Almost everyone I talked too said that my SME and the DL103R is a marriage made in hell! SME series 2 improved (non detachable) is a low mass tonearm which has an effective mass of about 6 grams so it is not a good match for the Denon 103R.
 
#6
Hi,

For sure the SME is not the best arm for a Denon 103R, but that
won't stop it working, and for sure MM's suit the SME better.

Its simply not an ideal combination, for getting the best out
of either, but will work, unlike high mass arms and high
compliance cartridges, which is a recipe for utter hell.

rgds, sreten.
 
#11
355F1 said:
He accepts best offer. What would be a reasonable price to pay?
Click to expand...

When new it was around $120, I believe. Many of these were made, so it's certainly not a rare collector's item.
The detachable version is also not nearly as good in sound as the fixed version. The replacement wiring could quite
possibly cause problems with the free motion of the arm. I would consider a new arm that is suited to your purpose.
 
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#12
For half the price of that SME you can have one of these with a counterweight and added headshell mass (if needed) to ideally suit the DL103. The kit with a rega armtube is listed around £260, and it will be a far better tonearm than the SME is/was. I used to have a 3009 and have two of the Audiomods arms. They are reasonably easy to assemble, most of the time is spent polishing and drilling the armtube.

audio mods Rega arm conversions

Plenty of reviews here:

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=audiomods review
 
#13
The 12" SME was $92.00 in 1965, $5.50 for an extra headshell, only $5.00 a month. It was an excellent arm for its time, better than a Rek-o-kut or Empire. Not a collector's item but they command a good price. Take a look at ebay.us and ebay.uk.

Regarding the Audiomods kit, it looks great but you need a drill press and a buffing machine, you cannot drill holes properly on a bench vise.

I found this one in Durham:

Super Modified Rega RB250 with Carbon Fibre Arm Tube | eBay
 
#14
If you're not comfortable drilling and polishing the armtube yourself you should be able to fine someone local to do that for you. The Audiomods only carries over the armtube (i.e. the best bit) from the Rega design, the whole rear end assembly is different and the counterweight stub is attached to the bearing housing inside the arm and not the arm itself. I think you would find it hard to do better for the money.
 
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