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Post by f456gt on Aug 24, 2020 21:47:13 GMT
Hi Chaps,
I understand that the SME 3009 S2 needs a low mass, high compliance cartridge either MM or MC. I used Benz, Ortofon, Denon and AT but I'm looking for other options.
What cartridge are forum owners using with their SME 3009s?
Cheers,
Horacio
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Post by MartinT on Aug 24, 2020 22:08:19 GMT
I used to use Goldring, Empire, Shure and AT carts with a 3009. The V15-IV was good but it's long out of production.
Something like the AT VM540 range would be close to ultimate now.
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Post by f456gt on Aug 24, 2020 23:51:49 GMT
I was thinking about the FR MC-201, if I could afford a used Koetsu or Kiseki. Currently I have an AT 440MLB, Shure M70EJ, M91ED new in box and Pickering XV 15/400E, I had a Goldring 1042 too. The Shure V series was produced especially for the SME, Shure was the importer. Occasionally a new V-15 Type IV or V MR appear on ebay but at what price, some are dry, they are like a car that has been sitting in a barn for too many years, hoses, tyres, etc. need to be replaced. It is a lottery.
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Post by f456gt on Aug 25, 2020 0:07:58 GMT
Hi Martin. What do you think about cartridge retipping?
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Post by MartinT on Aug 25, 2020 6:00:19 GMT
I had an OC9 re-tipped by Esoteric many years ago, they did a good job.
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 25, 2020 6:27:32 GMT
I think the SME recommendation was for Shure v15 and the AKG P8ES.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 25, 2020 6:33:14 GMT
I can't imagine the FR cartridge is going to suit the SME. It'll rattle its knife-edge bearings and excite the tube.
You need low mass and high compliance, like the old ADCs.
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 25, 2020 8:10:41 GMT
It's a rare mc cart that suits the SME 3009, if any exist at all - as Martin says, there's too much mechanical energy floating around from the cartridge. Those knife edge bearings simply aren't designed to be rigid.
They'll 'work' but not optimally, with resonances compromising arm behaviour / tracking performance, and may increase stylus wear and record damage.
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Post by f456gt on Aug 25, 2020 16:06:24 GMT
Hi Martin,
Duly noted, thank you.
You mentioned ADC, there are two NOS on ebay. What do you think?
Cheers,
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Post by MartinT on Aug 25, 2020 16:41:58 GMT
I really couldn't vouch for their age or condition but the VLM has a good reputation.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 25, 2020 17:13:13 GMT
Not heard one myself but some people are very keen on those ADC carts as I remember - might be worth a punt if it definitely has an original stylus.
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 25, 2020 17:31:14 GMT
Something like 45 years ago (!) I had an ADC XLM and loved it!
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Post by f456gt on Sept 7, 2020 0:53:11 GMT
Well Chaps, Browsing through whatsbestforum I came across the forum's owner turntable/cartridge set-up. I could not believe my eyes, a pair of old SME 3009 S2 mounted on an Air Force One £72.500 turntable. One arm has a ZYX Universe Premium £12.800 cartridge, the other a Van den Hul Colibri Signature Stradivarius, £9.000. Please see photos. IMG_0552_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr IMG_0345_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr P1190318 - Kopie_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr IMG_0547_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr IMG_0379_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr IMG_0382_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr 5D3893F9-DF54-4F26-BFD3-CA6F63833AF8_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr 16154663-AE45-4CB4-8599-874862017097_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr IMG_0583_resize by vignale.355f1, on Flickr
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Post by MartinT on Sept 7, 2020 5:18:15 GMT
I wouldn't do it, especially in those SME 'cheese grater' headshells that are known to flex.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 7, 2020 5:50:57 GMT
Maybe it takes a £72k turntable to make them sound good. There can be no doubt that using a mc cartridge in one of those arms is a very bad mechanical match. But music will undoubtedly emerge and regardless of how much better a mc cartridge would sound in a more suitable arm, you may well like it.
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 7, 2020 6:20:07 GMT
If the owner of that forum thinks an SME 3009 is 'what's best' in tonearms, then I'd say his judgement was suspect. Very strange!
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Post by MartinT on Sept 7, 2020 6:50:11 GMT
I've heard what an Air Force One can do (although I prefer the Continuum) and I would say it's wasted using SME 3009s. It'll sound 'nice' but there would be little resolution.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 7, 2020 7:50:17 GMT
If the owner of that forum thinks an SME 3009 is 'what's best' in tonearms, then I'd say his judgement was suspect. Very strange! It's a curious forum, dominated as you might expect by people with very high disposable income. Some of them seem extremely knowledgeable, others don't!
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Post by f456gt on Sept 7, 2020 15:43:14 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Sept 7, 2020 16:14:27 GMT
I have found ebony headshells like this one to work well.
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