Another “How to choose an arm” question

Many years past I went through the motions of purchasing a new Tonearm.

As for all the experiences I encountered in demonstration rooms the TT's in use were always belt driven.

At some events I attended there were a broader range of TT's in use using the Tonearms had shortlisted.

Off which a SME IV and V were both candidates.

I was fortunate on one occasion at an event to be able to receive a demonstration of the SME V and IV used on two of the same decks.

I can't recollect if the Cart's were matching, and I am not even sure if I would have considered this as important at this stage on my interest in HiFi, too many years have passed now to even think about the smaller details.

The decision I made was because of the impressions made on this system and the choice I made was to purchase the SME IV Tonearm.

I still own this Tonearm today and a Tonearm I purchased at a later period being the Audiomods Series Five Micrometre.

These two Tonearms have been compared in my system on a PTP Solid Nine and each are very similar and each does not excel in front of the other in perceived performance or in how a music replay is able to be engaged with and enjoyed.

The SME IV has been loaned on a few occasions and the most recent loan was to a friend who was comparing it to other Tonearms, as they were looking to make a Tonearm purchase.

The SME IV on this occasion did not win their favour as a purchase item, even though they said it was not too far behind a few of the other Brands in the line up being demonstrated.

I no longer use the IV or the Series Five micrometre, I have a Tonearm in use that has surpassed both of these as a performer and comfortably wins my favour for how the music is engaged with during a replay.  

  Audio Seri        

I think if you want to go with a low output cartridge you should upgrade your phono stage.

That is my upgraded phonostage 😋

The old one (currently in use) is a 42dB ARC PH2 for MM only at 47k ohms..

I no longer use the IV or the Series Five micrometre, I have a Tonearm in use that has surpassed both of these as a performer and comfortably wins my favour for how the music is engaged with during a replay.  

I am afraid to ask… ?

@holmz 

Soundsmith have a range of medium output cartridges that suit phonos with 48-54db of gain. Some are low compliance, some are medium compliance.

https://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/317/medium-output

https://www.sound-smith.com/cartridge-compliancearm-mass-chart

@dover and what are your thoughts about a SUT with MM or MI?

@holmz 

According to Soundmsith you can use a step up transformer with their low ouput MI's. A 1:10 transformer will present 470ohms to the cartridge which is about as low as you can go.

A friend of mine has the Soundsmith Paua, which I really like - better than his Koetsu Rosewood & Lyra Helikon SL - but it needs to see about 800-900 ohms.

I would personally avoid using a step up transformer because of the lack of adjustment of impedance seen by the cartridge ( you can load transformers but that has issues ).

Also I feel any gains from going to the low output can easily be lost with the addition of a step up transformer and cables.

The 2 options are if you run a low output Sounsmith MI get their matching phono - its quite reasonable and stands up to both a Lamm & Linn Uphorik with the SS MI - I've tried them.

OR

Look at their medium and high output options.