2. analog
  3. 181635-3976

What Does It Take To Surpass A SME V?

Thinking about the possibility of searching for a new tonearm. The table is a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse. Cartridge currently in use is a Transfiguration Audio Proteus, and it also looks like I will also have an Ortofon Verismo if a diamond replacement occurs without incident. 

The V is an early generation one but in good condition with no issues. Some folks never thought highly of the arm, others thought it quite capable. So it's a bit decisive. 

The replacement has to be 9 to 10.5 inches. I have wondered if Origin Live is worth exploring? Perhaps a generation old Triplanar from the pre owned market?

 Any thoughts on what are viable choices? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

neonknight
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,158 posts
 

@neonknight 

I ran the SME5 for about 10 years. When I went to the Triplanar it was a revelation. So much easier to adjust! No issues with the arm tube resonating. Much easier to find cartridges that would track properly.

I have a Transfiguration mounted in it right now.

rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 

Triplanar can't compete vs MAX 237 and I know that you have not the Proteus but an old one but as with the V are audiophiles that like the Tri. as like Schroeder or the Reed or the Kuzma or the OL, or this one where M.Fremer in his SAT DD XD-1 100K TT/SAT tonearm compared vs the RP 10 that comes mounted with this tonearm and Fremer mated with Lyra Atlas, Anna by Ortofon and some other top cartridges:

 

https://www.rega.co.uk/products/rb3000

 

R.

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,133 posts
 

As there is no indicator the SME V under inquiry is owned, but only being considered and is a early version. A suggestion of alternatives is no harm.

The used V Model being considered, if from the mainstream offerings is most likely $3500 - 5000ish

There is a lot of options to be put on a list at this purchase point, even a New Model of another Brand in this price range.

As said in previous Posts, if it weren't for the Rega Design being so successful and sought after, there would most likely not be a SME IV, V, 309, along with a host of others that poached the Rega Geometry and Design.    

solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 

@rossb kudos for the nod towards musicality :)

@neonknight beaten surely but at what cost, right? Btw hello fellow Washingtonian!

petg60
1,486 posts
 

Dear @rauliruegas ​​​​, I have the impression that the internal wiring is Kondo and not Audio note UK. In any case this wiring is very sensitive (though matches arm perfectly) and requires extreme care when installing. This is one of the reasons I have not committed to this internal wiring change.

More to discover