TT wrote:
"Trevor Wilson" wrote
in message ...
:
:
: "TT" wrote in message
: . au...
: Yes I have downloaded the manual and yes I am competent
at setting up
: T/Ts.
:
: So just a brief question to clarify one point please.
:
: In the manual it alludes to the arm dampener as if it is
supposed to
: remain in contact with the arm while playing. Is this
so? Or does it
: only contact the arm when the lift is engaged?
:
: The problem is I can't seem to adjust the lift mechanism
low enough to
: clear the arm when the stylus is in contact with the
record. BTW cart is
: a Shure V15V.
:
: **Nice cartridge. It deserves a better arm than the SME.
Having said that,
: damping the V15V is not really necessary. The damping
system is there to
: counteract the crappy bearings of the SME, when used with
MC carts. These
: comments do not apply to the SME V, which is a stunning
tone arm.
:
Hi Trevor, I am only using the V15V to set up and test the
arm. I will be using a Garrot Bros FGS cart later.

As I have said to you before I am in the process of building
my own arms and I just wanted to see and test one of these
before going too much further. The geometry of the arm is
excellent although the operation and manufacture are, how
shall we say, a little to be desired. Now that I am
familiar with this arm I don't see how people can be so
unkind about the standard Technics SL1200 ones ;-)

I bought it cheap off FleaBay so it shouldn't be too hard to
get rid of afterwards. BTW I know why it was sold cheap as
one wire was badly corroded in the arm to holder connector.
3 wires = 0.2 Ohm and one at 52 Ohm :-( So I imagine the
sound may have been a little off ;-)


I've been playing with a III for a while. The clearance issue is similar
on mine - it's very tight, but seems clear when the needles in the
groove. I haven't filled the damper further to a recent exchange on this NG.

I simply couldn't get it to work properly with an AT MC cartridge -
muted treble and lack of bass. It works fine with a MM cartridge, in
fact very nice indeed. But like you, I'm not impressed with the fit and
finish, and it doesn't compare well sound wise to a series 2.

Rob