SME V. Worth it?

[bretty]

Ok, so i've just started listening to my Gyro again, this week, for the first time in donkeys (bout a year and half) and I'd forgotten just how blummin' good it is. The missus is loving it just as much as me, so we're having a good ol' listen every night, with a glass (bottle) of vino . I even went out and bought some vinyl yesterday. I havent done that in two years!

Anyhoo, as always happens to me, when I get back into my hifi, although genuinely can't fault anything about it's sound, I want to upgrade, hence the question in the Headline.

I currently have a TecnoArm A with a Grado Reference Platinum 1 cart. I'm looking at the SME V arm as a replacement.

Is it worth it? and are there other tonearms out there that are as good, or better for the dollar?

 

[chebby]

Being practical, I'd rather spend a fraction of the cash on the Jelco SA-750D. (They make - or have made - tonearms for Koetsu, Linn, Oracle and Roksan among others.)

However, the SME V will make a hell of statement to anyone sitting in your lounge - who knows their tonearms - and will look great on the GyroDec whereas the Jelco will look pretty anonymous in comparison.

What will the SME V cash buy you in the way of a turntable upgrade? (Traditionally, I thought turntables get upgraded first, especially if you have over £2.7K of tonearm funding available.)

 

[bretty]

Cheers for the rec.

Not really thinking of upgrading the deck, Chebby. I think the Gyro's great and, unless im wrong (frequently am), it's a good enough deck to take and do justice to the SME V or similar.

 

[floyd droid]

Series iv isnt a million miles off a v Bretts at circa 900 quid cheaper. Audio Origami PU7 very nice arm indeed but quite different to the sme. Smes are quite forensic for want of a better worm, whatevers in the groove the sme will dig it out !. You will be in ' Blimey, Ive never heard that bit before' land, if you go Sme.

Tbh it isnt a case of better or as good as the series v for the dollar , its all down to preferences in presentation.

I run a series iv byraway.

 

[Al ears]

Lovely tonearm and it's hard to beat the SME's build quality however, as previously stated the IV offers nine tenths of the V's performance at about half the price.
Personally I would be looking at one of the Origin Live tonearms and spending the rest on a cartridge upgrade (but that's just me).

 

[bretty]

Appreciate the comments, fellas. I'll have a look at the IV. A cart upgrade would coming alongside the arm upgrade AL. That will be the next can of worms

 

[Al ears]

There are plenty of good IV's going around if you fancy second-hand from reputable dealer.

Looking forward to your next can of worms / dilema

 

[bretty]

Never had a problem with second-hand. Cheers, Al!

 

[floyd droid]

They tend to hold their price well Bretts. But as Smes are pretty much bomb proof s/h is a good way to go. Like Michell they are a good company to deal with if you need to pick brains etc.

 

[bretty]

Cheers, buddy.

 

[stevebrock]

I am about to drop some cash on a gyro, gonna get a demo soon with some different arms but will probably start with a tecnoarm. Listen to what Floyd says he has helped me loads with carts, set up and Phonos - even lent me cart to demo

 

[stevebrock]

I am about to drop some cash on a gyro, gonna get a demo soon with some different arms but will probably start with a tecnoarm. Listen to what Floyd says he has helped me loads with carts, set up and Phonos - even lent me cart to demo

 

[bretty]

Oh, me and Floydy doodle go way back. Always listen to what the knowledgeable b.ugger has to say, even though its usually advice that aint necessarily good for my wallet

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Oh, me and Floydy doodle go way back. Always listen to what the knowledgeable b.ugger has to say, even though its usually advice that aint necessarily good for my wallet

Can't offer any insights re: tonearms, but welcome back Bretty.

I enjoyed following your turntable journey/journeys. Sounds like there may be more in store.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Personally, I'd look at an SME IV for a Gyro - I think the V is pushing it a little (even though I would love a V on my SEduction!). It'll work and no doubt sound great, but I think I'd rather switch to an Orbe SE for a greater improvement, and then work towards a V at a later date.

If you're sticking with the Gyro, you could probably do with a HR power supply before moving up on the arm, in my opinion, and there's also the Orbe platter upgrade too.

 

[CnoEvil]

Personally, I'd look at an SME IV for a Gyro - I think the V is pushing it a little (even though I would love a V on my SEduction!). It'll work and no doubt sound great, but I think I'd rather switch to an Orbe SE for a greater improvement, and then work towards a V at a later date. If you're sticking with the Gyro, you could probably do with a HR power supply before moving up on the arm, in my opinion, and there's also the Orbe platter upgrade too.

Back in the day, the advice was that the Deck was more important than the Arm, and the Arm was more important than the Cartridge......I take it, that still holds true.

Hi Bretty. :wave: ......hope life is treating you well.

 

[bretty]

Oh, me and Floydy doodle go way back. Always listen to what the knowledgeable b.ugger has to say, even though its usually advice that aint necessarily good for my wallet

Can't offer any insights re: tonearms, but welcome back Bretty.

I enjoyed following your turntable journey/journeys. Sounds like there may be more in store.

Cheers for the welcome, Charlie.

Yep, i've restarted the engine on the turntable express and i'm sure they'll be stops at 'what blummin cart to choose?'-ville, 'sh*t, I think i've broken it!' central and 'i'm pulling my hair out!' station

 

[bretty]

Personally, I'd look at an SME IV for a Gyro - I think the V is pushing it a little (even though I would love a V on my SEduction!). It'll work and no doubt sound great, but I think I'd rather switch to an Orbe SE for a greater improvement, and then work towards a V at a later date. If you're sticking with the Gyro, you could probably do with a HR power supply before moving up on the arm, in my opinion, and there's also the Orbe platter upgrade too.

Hmm, food for thought. What, apart from the upgraded platter, is different on the Orbe to the Gyro? I gotta say, I'm not a fan of the thick Orbe platter. I like seeing the brass weights spinning under the Gyro's platter. They're hypnotic. I get the missus to stare at them and suggest she washes my pants

But thats not to say I wouldn't get an thick platter, if the sound improvement was noticeable.

 

[bretty]

Personally, I'd look at an SME IV for a Gyro - I think the V is pushing it a little (even though I would love a V on my SEduction!). It'll work and no doubt sound great, but I think I'd rather switch to an Orbe SE for a greater improvement, and then work towards a V at a later date. If you're sticking with the Gyro, you could probably do with a HR power supply before moving up on the arm, in my opinion, and there's also the Orbe platter upgrade too.

Back in the day, the advice was that the Deck was more important than the Arm, and the Arm was more important than the Cartridge......I take it, that still holds true.

Hi Bretty. :wave: ......hope life is treating you well.

Ello, Matey! Yep, all's good, cheers! And your good self?

 

[floyd droid]

Hmm, food for thought. What, apart from the upgraded platter, is different on the Orbe to the Gyro?

The motor/psu , two spiders and 3 ton of gooey black stuff bodged under the chassis. Off hand I cant think of owt else and I own one ,lol.

 

[CnoEvil]

Ello, Matey! Yep, all's good, cheers! And your good self?

I'm ffffked.......but on the mend....and spent all my hifi upgrade money dealing with Dry Rot....but c'est la vie.

I'll be watching your adventures with interest.

 

[bretty]

Hmm, food for thought. What, apart from the upgraded platter, is different on the Orbe to the Gyro?

The motor/psu , two spiders and 3 ton of gooey black stuff bodged under the chassis. Off hand I cant think of owt else and I own one ,lol.

Hmm, so, cheaper to upgrade the parts on my Gyro or sell it and buy Orbe complete? If I go down that route, that is

 

[bretty]

Ello, Matey! Yep, all's good, cheers! And your good self?

I'm ffffked.......but on the mend....and spent all my hifi upgrade money dealing with Dry Rot....but c'est la vie.

I'll be watching your adventures with interest.

Glad you're on the mend, buddy.

I feel you pain. My body's being rebelling aginst me for the last 18 months. Can't seem to stop mucking up my arms. Torn nerve in neck in 2011 which mullered my right tricep. Just atrofied away. I looked like I had Polio. Took 18 months to heal. While that was healing, I got tendonitis in my left Bicep and forearm. That took 12 months to heal. Now, in 2013, just 8 weeks ago, I ripped the tendons in my right bicep and forearm, meaning I look freaky as hell cos my bicep has pinged up to my shoulder. Nice. I think it's the universes way of teling me that i'm not 21 anymore, and stop thinking I can lift stupid sh*t

 

[Frank Harvey]

Hmm, food for thought. What, apart from the upgraded platter, is different on the Orbe to the Gyro? I gotta say, I'm not a fan of the thick Orbe platter. I like seeing the brass weights spinning under the Gyro's platter. They're hypnotic. I get the missus to stare at them and suggest she washes my pants .

I know exactly where you're coming from! I've always wanted to own a Gyro, and I finally ended up with the SEduction, which I had full intention of upgrading the arm to the SME V. I too have always liked the look of the Gyro, including the weights, and have always found the Orbe a little boring to look at in comparison with it being all black (although the Orbe can be ordered in silver). But, the thicker, heavier platter does make quite a difference, so is something I would consider for the SEduction. Unfortunately, its hard to ignore just how good the Orbe is, despite its less impressive looks. Although, there's nothing stopping you having the Gyro platter on the Orbe...

The Orbe uses a completely different motor, an dual spider for better isolation, the heavier platter, a damped sub chassis, and includes its own bespoke power supply (the HR is an option with the Gyro).

 

[bretty]

Thanks, David. Hmmm, even more food for thought. I'm starting to get visions of how this may end, and my wallet hates me for it .