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Looking for tonearm inspiration

I just bought a used SME 20/12 turntable that is about 15 years old.  I also had a used 

Dynavector DRT XV-1s rebuilt/are tipped.  Odd as it may seem, there was no tonearm with the turntable.  I have yet to identify what the phono stage, but listening so far suggest a Sutherland Loco (still open to alternatives).  There must be many out there that have had experience with the SME 20/12 turntable and perhaps a few that have had experience with the SME/Dynavector combination.  Can you suggest a tonearm that had some magic for you with either bit of gear?  Wide range of music: Rock, Jazz, Female Vocal and a bit of Opera from time to time.


chilli42
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I would avoid vintage tonearms unless they are extremely inexpensive.

Basically they are inexpensive, for example Technis EPA-100 cost under $1200-1700. There is no reason to avoid vintage tonearms if you know which one is really good, only people who know nothing about tonearms can make such statement like yours. You will never find anything close to the performance of EPA-100 among any modern tonearms at the same price range! Japanese vintage tonearms are reasonable priced and better than almost everything new. And some better modern tonearms cost over $5000.  


rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
@mijostyn : With all respect you understand  nothing of the main issue to my answers to him. Please read it again.

The issue is that he posted information and when I asked him for facts he just has no single fact to prove what he said .

I don't care if one or the other tonearm is better or if SME tonearm we can't buy it any more because these is not the issue.

Again issue is that I ask that he prove what he is posting and he did not. Got it?

R.
rpeluso
1,105 posts
 
Chakster, I have an old SAEC WE308New arm, thoughts???
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@rpeluso  Knife edge bearing system is not the best and SAEC geometry is strange. SAEC tonearms looks nice and the price is low for 308 but you can find better vintage tonearms. Regarding SAEC you can search an old thread on audiogon where everything explained in details. Saec geometry has been changed in latest (much better) models.  
fsellet
32 posts
 
For those of you interested in the specs of SME's bearings and who cannot google (arguably a very small community), here it is...for the SME IV tonearm:
  • Stainless steel cross shaft, ground and thread ground. Carried in massive yoke on 10mm ABEC 3 ball races. Axis at record mean level to minimise warp-wow.
  • 23mm diameter steel pillar, heat treated, ground and honed, carries two 17mm ABEC 7 ball races, widely spaced to resist tilt.

    • More to discover