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Which arm best for SME30-2?

I have an SME 30-2 with SME V and a Koetsu Blue Onyx. The Triplanar and Graham Phantom B44 are possible alternetives. Does anyone have any experience in this respsect. i.e. Triplanar or Phantom on an SME 30? The rest of my system is: Asthetix Rhea Signature (yes the new one), CJ CT5 and a pair of LP140Ms driving Guaneri Hommage speakers set on solid (250Lb) Marble columns. CD is vis dcs Elgar DAC, Purcell upsampler and Theta Jade transport. All interconnects are by LFD - Black widow for Rhea and Elgar to CT5 and Silcer Scorpion for SME to Rhea and CT5 to LP140Ms. Speaker wire is home brew. 1mm fine Silver wire (99.9% pure) threaded into Teflon sleeving and bi-wired.
jskg
pcosta
241 posts
 
Jskg

It has been over three years since I have done the Tri-planar on the SME but I will try and describe what I heard.

Tri-planar had a touch better dynamics being more detailed on transients. People complain about bass bloat on the SME V, it does not exist on the SME 30 as you may well know, but it beat the Tri in that regard. I thought the SME had a better juicier midrange that I liked with my Miyabi 47, or XV-1.

When you get in to this league the differences are so small. SOme arms excell more with a certain cart over another arm etc.
jskg OP
16 posts
 
Pcosta.
Very useful. Thanks again. Any other comments?
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
jskg: I have a sme 20/2 with SME IV.Vi.

Do you have the newer power supply? via push buttons instaead of the knob? If not, that's made a definate difference on my 20/2. Lowered the noise floor, brought out all kinds of inner detail and transparency. #2 is a good power cord on the motor controller.

What arm cable are you using? That's something to be explored to.

All that said, I am curious abotu a Graham Phantom as well. Maybe even switching out my TT for a TW Raven AC and keeping my IV.Vi arm. I wish this was easier!

Good luck
pcosta
241 posts
 
I would buy those arms as an alternative not as replacement. Add them to your stable, have fun!

Paul
jskg OP
16 posts
 
Yes I have the new supply. The SME V arm is wired in 7 strand silver at the factory. I think its van den hull. The wiring is an upgrade at time of order. Arm to phono is LFD Siver Scorpion. Pure Silver.
Thanks for the interest. I'm told by a reliable source (mag editor) that there is not a great deal of difference in sound between an SME 10 and 20, however there is a big jump in sound to the model 30/2. There is also a big jump in price as well, of course. Just thought you might want to know if you are considering a TT upgrade.
Regards
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