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.

Cheers TT

TT said:

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.

I hope I'm not teaching granny to suck eggs here and am not familiar
with the damping trough if that is what you are referring to.
The solution for the lack of clearance between arm and arm lifter if
you have run out of arm height adjustment is to use a headshell
spacer. SME part number 5925 or 4925 or you can easily knock one up
from a piece of plastic of a suitable thickness, or your local DJ
outfit may carry one such as:
http://www.qualitydj.co.uk/headshell-spacer-p-68.html
I used to have a selection of plastic and metal ones which could be
used to vary the effective arm weight to suit various cartridges.
--
Ken

"UnsteadyKen" wrote in message
m...
TT said:

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.

I hope I'm not teaching granny to suck eggs here and am not familiar
with the damping trough if that is what you are referring to.
The solution for the lack of clearance between arm and arm lifter if
you have run out of arm height adjustment is to use a headshell
spacer. SME part number 5925 or 4925 or you can easily knock one up
from a piece of plastic of a suitable thickness, or your local DJ
outfit may carry one such as:
http://www.qualitydj.co.uk/headshell-spacer-p-68.html
I used to have a selection of plastic and metal ones which could be
used to vary the effective arm weight to suit various cartridges.
--
Ken

On an SME 3009 (both S2 and S3) the arm lifter goes up and down with the
arm, you don't run out of height clearance with the lifter. You can also
adjust the position of the lifter relative to the pivot if you want an
especially large (or small) lift. If the arm is parallel to the record when
playing, then the damper paddle should be in the right position relative to
the trough. The paddle may well touch the side of the trough when the arm is
lifted, or if the arm is dropped past the level of the turntable, but that
is of no consequence.

If you're using the V15V cartridge, however, I personally would prefer to
disengage the SME damper (remove the paddle altogether) and just use the
cartridge's own damper.

With the V15III which doesn't have its own damper, I found SME's damper to
be excessive even on minimum settings, as it would impede the free movement
of the arm in case of warps or with slight swingers. I've seen suggestions
to change the silicone damping fluid for something less viscous, motor oil
and washing-up liquid have been suggested, but frankly I preferred to do
without it altogether.

S.
--
http://audiopages.googlepages.com

"Serge Auckland" wrote in
message ...
:
: "UnsteadyKen" wrote in message
: m...
: TT said:
:
: 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.
:
: I hope I'm not teaching granny to suck eggs here and am
not familiar
: with the damping trough if that is what you are
referring to.
: The solution for the lack of clearance between arm and
arm lifter if
: you have run out of arm height adjustment is to use a
headshell
: spacer. SME part number 5925 or 4925 or you can easily
knock one up
: from a piece of plastic of a suitable thickness, or your
local DJ
: outfit may carry one such as:
: http://www.qualitydj.co.uk/headshell-spacer-p-68.html
: I used to have a selection of plastic and metal ones
which could be
: used to vary the effective arm weight to suit various
cartridges.
: --
: Ken
:
: On an SME 3009 (both S2 and S3) the arm lifter goes up and
down with the
: arm, you don't run out of height clearance with the
lifter. You can also
: adjust the position of the lifter relative to the pivot if
you want an
: especially large (or small) lift. If the arm is parallel
to the record when
: playing, then the damper paddle should be in the right
position relative to
: the trough. The paddle may well touch the side of the
trough when the arm is
: lifted, or if the arm is dropped past the level of the
turntable, but that
: is of no consequence.
:
: If you're using the V15V cartridge, however, I personally
would prefer to
: disengage the SME damper (remove the paddle altogether)
and just use the
: cartridge's own damper.
:
: With the V15III which doesn't have its own damper, I found
SME's damper to
: be excessive even on minimum settings, as it would impede
the free movement
: of the arm in case of warps or with slight swingers. I've
seen suggestions
: to change the silicone damping fluid for something less
viscous, motor oil
: and washing-up liquid have been suggested, but frankly I
preferred to do
: without it altogether.
:
Thank you for your informed answer, I knew some one here
would know.

So what I have observed is correct then?. With the arm
parallel to the surface of the LP and the lift mechanism
lowered the rubber arm lift/dampener mechanism is still in
contact with the underside of the arm acting as a dampener.

The VTA adjustment allows the arm mount to easily slide up
and down but the lift/dampener mechanism is free to rotate
at the top but not to slide down.

I personally do not like this dampener idea if this is the
way it is supposed to operate :-(

Cheers TT

"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.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

"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 ;-)

Cheers TT

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

"Rob" wrote in message
...
: 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.

This sounds promising ;-)

: The clearance issue is similar
: on mine - it's very tight, but seems clear when the
needles in the
: groove.

This is why I am setting mine up with a Shure cart. A very
popular unit made in the same country so it should be
dimensionally right for all the adjustments.

When my needle is in the groove I have zero clearance :-(
With a V15V and only 1g of TF it wont take much to lift out
of the groove :-( As Serge said, it would only take a
slightly warped LP and this thing will be all over the
place.

: I haven't filled the damper further to a recent exchange
on this NG.

Does your lift mechanism slide up and down or is only able
to rotate at the top of the travel?

:
: 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.
:
So it's not just me being a little over critical then?

Thanks Rob for the post.

loads snipped

Does your lift mechanism slide up and down or is only able
to rotate at the top of the travel?


The lift mechanism should rotate all the way round on a screw-thread, so you
can adjust it for height by one thread per revolution. You will, however,
have to raise the arm as much as you can out of the base to do this. If it's
just touching, then one turn should do it. For safety, I would remove the
counterweight assembly and the arm tube before doing this.

By the way, the Shure V15 is of US manufacture, the arm is of UK
manufacture, but the two were designed to go together as Shure was the US
distributor for SME.

S.
http://audiopages.googlepages.com

: 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.
: :


Surprised to hear of poor engineering by SME; I thought that was what they
were good at.

I vaguely remember the fall of the SME 3009 as being non-compatible with MC
cartridges - mass compliance. or something like that?

The standard for years was the Shure/SME combination, often on a Garrard 401
or 402. Then along came the comics, and Linn/Grace/Supex.

I currently have - and have done for ten years or so - a sort of SME
four-and-half, i.e. a 4 (chosen simply because it looked better on my
Gyrodeck, and I wasn't sure if my ears could notice the difference from its
big brother) which was completely rebuilt by SME to 5 standard. If anyone's
interested, the cartridge is a Transfiguration - are they still around?

Still listening to music, not hi-fi.

Geoff MacK