2. analog
  3. 163952-519

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
 
@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
5,561 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.
jperry OP
2,450 posts
 
@lalitk 

Thanks for the note. I tried that before and set up a Sonus system at his house. I also had a Sonus digital system. The Sonus was a pain, and didn’t sound good enough. I now have a Innous Zen III with a Line Magnetic DAC. It sounds good, but not as good as my analog system.

I might give it another try with something Innous based. Good suggestion

Best Regards,

Jim Perry
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