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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
jperry OP
2,450 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
2,450 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
2,450 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
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,537 posts
 
@jperry

Huge props to you for helping your friend. Given his age and health, may be you can pitch him pros of switching to digital streaming. Just my two cents.
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