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Replacing the SME 10 stock tonearm

I would appreciate any input on this.

My friend has a SME 10 turntable with the stock 309 tonearm. This has a removable headshell, but removing the headshell is not as simple as removing with a standard mount headshell. Due to age he has decreased dexterity and diminished eyesight, so removing the headshell has resulted in some damaged cartridges.

I would appreciate input regarding compatibility and experience replacing the stock arm with a standard mount removable headshell tonearm. I would especially appreciate input on what might be a drop in replacement with a removable standard mount headshell.

I don’t have current easy access to the turntable as my friend lives in a different part of the country. I plan to fly in for a visit and make the change for my friend during my visit. So to the extent I can have what I need and be prepared when I arrive will optimize my opportunity to accomplish this over a weekend. 

Thanks for your help with this

 Jim Perry
jperry
lewm
13,019 posts
 
Have you consulted SME or one of their US dealers (assuming you are in the US)?  Also, you might post this question on Vinyl Asylum; there are many SME aficionados there. Also, Google it.
jperry OP
2,448 posts
 
@stereo5 

Thanks for the comment. I agree.  My friend is someone who introduced me to high end sound, so just trying to payback a little.
jperry OP
2,448 posts
 
@lewm 

Thanks for the suggestions. I have googled it, but no luck with an on point link. 

Thanks for the suggestions. I will contact SME and post on Vinyl Asylum.

I looked on e-bay and saw they make some adaptors for different size mounting holes that bolt on to a SME mount, but I was hoping for something a bit easier to implement
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Sure, This is an easy one. Just get another 9" SME and plop it right in. Something just like this http://www.smetonearms.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=91
jperry OP
2,448 posts
 
@mijostyn

Thanks for the suggestion and that may work. The SME 10 has a “simplified” mount. So I have to figure out whether it is that easy.

Also, I neglected to mention that if I replace it I was hoping to do so with a higher mass tonearm
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