old trusted SME arms

[Number_2]

Hello everyone, new here!
Slowly getting back into vinyl, I would appreciate any input/suggestions for high compliance cartridges to compliment these old arms

Thank you
Number_2

 

[daytona600]

some ortofon & grado suit low mass arms like Sme

 

[nopiano]

There are many old, trusted SMEs! Which model exactly, and what’s your budget?

 

[Number_2]

SME series 2 Imp, fixed headshell and Series 3, budget, maybe around 200/300. I got old ears!
Thanks for the replies

 

[Al ears]

These are low mass tonearms so, theoretically you're better off using moderately high to very high compliance cartridges.
These are within the range 10-35 um/mN or above 13x10 to power of 6.
Therefore a good starting point would be Grado Prestige Gold or Audio Technica VM95ML
The old Shure M97ex would be ideal but, unfortunately, no longer made.

 

[nopiano]

As well as Al’s suggestions, I’d add the Goldring 1000 series, which starts with the 1006 and ends with the 1042 at about £325 if you shop around. I used a 1006 happily on a low mass Dual arm originally fitted with a Shure V15/3 that was often paired with SMEs like yours.
I vaguely recall the SME Series 3 having an optional headshell weight as it was ultra low mass. ADCs worked well too, but they’ve long disappeared, sadly.

 

[Al ears]

As well as Al’s suggestions, I’d add the Goldring 1000 series, which starts with the 1006 and ends with the 1042 at about £325 if you shop around. I used a 1006 happily on a low mass Dual arm originally fitted with a Shure V15/3 that was often paired with SMEs like yours.
I vaguely recall the SME Series 3 having an optional headshell weight as it was ultra low mass. ADCs worked well too, but they’ve long disappeared, sadly.

Good shout on the Goldring range, the 1012GX would be within budget although worth pushing it for the 1042

 

[Number_2]

These are low mass tonearms so, theoretically you're better off using moderately high to very high compliance cartridges.
These are within the range 10-35 um/mN or above 13x10 to power of 6.
Therefore a good starting point would be Grado Prestige Gold or Audio Technica VM95ML
The old Shure M97ex would be ideal but, unfortunately, no longer made.

Hello Al ears
I have an old Shure 75ED, which was about all I could afford back in the 60's waiting on an after market stylus!
Some great suggestions here.
Stu

 

[Number_2]

As well as Al’s suggestions, I’d add the Goldring 1000 series, which starts with the 1006 and ends with the 1042 at about £325 if you shop around. I used a 1006 happily on a low mass Dual arm originally fitted with a Shure V15/3 that was often paired with SMEs like yours.
I vaguely recall the SME Series 3 having an optional headshell weight as it was ultra low mass. ADCs worked well too, but they’ve long disappeared, sadly.

Good Morning nopiano

I have already spoken with SME in Canada, Alfred remembers the headshell weight for the Series 3, but has not seen any in 20 years! I guess there are other ways to add mass.

Stu

 

[nopiano]

Good Morning nopiano

I have already spoken with SME in Canada, Alfred remembers the headshell weight for the Series 3, but has not seen any in 20 years! I guess there are other ways to add mass.

Stu

Me neither, but I owned one back in the day. The arm, that is. Last year I found a spare ‘carry arm’ box, and sold it on eBay for almost as much as the whole spare arm had cost originally, £15.00!

 

[nopiano]

Just saw this on UK eBay...

SME SERIES 3S BALANCE PLATE PART NUMBER 3905 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SME SERIES 3S BALANCE PLATE PART NUMBER 3905 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

On second thoughts, maybe that’s the counterweight part?

 

[Number_2]

I saved the eBay website, looks a good source for spares

 

[majex45]

Back in the day I had a SME 3009 detachable headshell arm and used a Shure M75ED Type II with great success. They are still available from on-line auctions sites or specialist dealers and there is a thriving aftermarket in replacement stylii.
Good luck & happy listenning.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

 

[Number_2]

Good morning All
I purchased a Shure V15 ll a few weeks ago, and then purchased a replacement stylus for the V15 and also installed my 75ED stylus...""singing"". Heard music I had not heard before from my mid price Marantz CD player!
Found cartridge weights here: https://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?&Store_Code=LG&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SCREWONWTS

Stu