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Which arm best for SME30-2?

I have an SME 30-2 with SME V and a Koetsu Blue Onyx. The Triplanar and Graham Phantom B44 are possible alternetives. Does anyone have any experience in this respsect. i.e. Triplanar or Phantom on an SME 30? The rest of my system is: Asthetix Rhea Signature (yes the new one), CJ CT5 and a pair of LP140Ms driving Guaneri Hommage speakers set on solid (250Lb) Marble columns. CD is vis dcs Elgar DAC, Purcell upsampler and Theta Jade transport. All interconnects are by LFD - Black widow for Rhea and Elgar to CT5 and Silcer Scorpion for SME to Rhea and CT5 to LP140Ms. Speaker wire is home brew. 1mm fine Silver wire (99.9% pure) threaded into Teflon sleeving and bi-wired.
jskg
jskg OP
16 posts
 
Yes I have the new supply. The SME V arm is wired in 7 strand silver at the factory. I think its van den hull. The wiring is an upgrade at time of order. Arm to phono is LFD Siver Scorpion. Pure Silver.
Thanks for the interest. I'm told by a reliable source (mag editor) that there is not a great deal of difference in sound between an SME 10 and 20, however there is a big jump in sound to the model 30/2. There is also a big jump in price as well, of course. Just thought you might want to know if you are considering a TT upgrade.
Regards
doc_stereo
31 posts
 
I have a 20/2 with a SME V arm. Not to hijack the thread, but is the difference between the older and newer power supplies that great? I have the older supply and was wondering whether I should upgrade. Again, my apologies to Jskg. :)

- Doc
jrmanders
54 posts
 
Hi,
I also have a SME model 20/SME V and the new power supply unit. I upgraded to the PSU from the old supply and noticed that the sound was bigger, richer and more powerful but maybe slightly less transparent.
I'm always being told the SME V can be bettered and recently I tried the Graham 2.2 on my table and prefered the V. The graham maybe more neutral in some ways but ultimately the soundscape is further away making the listen rather boring.

Jonathan.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Sorry about off topic...

doc-stereo, I thought the power supply was a solid step up in all areas. bigger/richer/power applies, but I thought the lowering of the noise floor was the root improvment, which just allowed the table to play music more.

I got lucky and got one for $700. At list price, I'd think about it, a arm cable, cartridge step up might yeild more for your $$'s. Nothing wrong with the supply you have.

It's about the same difference as the stock power cord vs a top flight power cord on the power supply...if that helps.
dgad
782 posts
 
I have had Koetsu on my SME, Schroder, Ikeda etc. I have a lot of experience. I would suggest keeping your SME V and adding mas to the underside of the arm. I used Blue Tak. Koetsus are low compliance cartridges. Usually about a 10. You need an effective mass of about 20 plus gms to get it right. The difference will be huge. You can email me offline for more. Otherwise get a 12 inch Ikeda or maybe try the 12 inch SME if you have the 20/12. I think the 20/2 is the too small.
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