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SME V arm: dynamic VTF or straight weight

I am using an SME V arm and wonder if anyone has compared the sound using the dynamic VTF (i.e. setting the dial to 2.0g) versus setting the dial to 0.0g and simply using the counterweight and an accurate scale to set VTF at 2.0g. Is there a sonic difference and what is the theory behind one versus the other?

I would think that using the latter method moves the counterweight closer to the arm's pivot point and effects how the bearing is loaded and possibly also the moment of enertia of the arm.

I have briefly tried to hear a difference, but couldn't and plan to do a more controlled comparison. Anyone's own experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Peter
peterayer
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear friends: I wonder why Daniel, I and some other people ( there are posts elsewhere on Dyna and SME owners where they state that hear differences. ) can hear differences and some of you did not.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Dear Raul, guess it is rather a matter of how deep you dive into the subject (here: how much time and effort (you can..) spend to really evaluate the differences) and whether the comparisms are really done in a strigend way (only one variable - all others constant (which is VERY hard to maintain...the tracking force for instance, behaves different in static vs. dynamic balanced mode)).

I made my comparism in a 2 day run on one table, in one system and each of the 3 cartridges went through all 4 tonearms in both modi.
The tendency was clear and in all 4 tonearms it went in the same direction. Also the tendency was more obvious in the MAX compared to the FR. It was NOT a matter of tonearm length. Wheter 10" or 12" - it showed the same tendency. (2 other people joined the sessions - we all 3 agreed on the results)

There are differences between the two modes - whether you judge them positive or negative is a matter of point of view and the surrounding system and its sonic tendency. The theoretical advantage is clear, but the practical conclusion is a matter of taste and personal sonic preferences.

So Raul, - we agree on the topic.

Hope these comments are of any help to others. But I think everyone has to evaluate this for himself. And should again do so, after any significant change in any other part of his high-end chain. Results once evaluated are void if the circumstances under which they were found do change in a significant way (in simpler words: new speakers? new preamp? new amplifier? new TT? new cartridge? - try again - the results under new conditions may surprise you.....).

Cheers,
D.
peterayer OP
1,382 posts
 
I have just completed a careful comparison of dynamic VTF versus static VTF on my SME V with Air Tight PC-1 cartridge.
I can notice a very subtle difference in my system. I hear more micro details, better sense of air and room sounds with dynamic VTF. Bass notes are slightly fuller and more rich. This comes at the cost of slightly crisper, snappier transients, leading edge sounds on cymbals and piano as heard with static VTF.

I would not describe the sound as more relaxed. It is a bit more 3-D and involving for me with dynamic VTF. It is slightly drier, but more exciting with static VTF. Both sound good and the difference is extremely small to my ears in my system. Without doing an A-B-A intense listening test, I probably would never have noticed a difference. The ease of adjusting VTF with the dial is so much more convenient, that for some, this may be the deciding factor, but I don't adjust VTF once it is set. My records are all pretty flat, so perhaps I would notice a bigger differnce with warped LPs as Daniel suggests.

My findings correspond fairly closely to the descriptions from Raul and Daniel mentioned above, but I have strained to reach these conclusions. They certainly have more experience and perhaps their systems are more resolving, so these differences may be more important in their systems and to their individual preferences. I agree with both Raul and Daniel that it comes down to personal opinions as to which is better in a given system and to a certain set of ears. Interestingly, when I started this thread, I thought there would be a more definitive answer.
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear Peter: Good. The interesting point is that you already try it in a " serious " way and you learn ( like any one of us. ) on the subject.

I think that it will be a good thing to you that you can give at either set-up way a little more time with your reference records. This could help you to understand in a more precise manner what/where is happening to confirm your thoughts about.

Other recomendation that could help to be more precise is to use your V with out damping.

Obviously I asume that the whole cartridge/tonearm set-up is right on target including load impedance.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Dear Peter, Raul is right and I just want to add, that indeed you should work without damping. A tonearm which does need damping is mated with the "wrong" cartridge. Damping is used to solve resonance problems which have their roots in resonance frequency missmatch in cartridge compliance with tonearm effective moving mass.

Tonearm manufacturers too often use fluid damping devices to make their tonearms "universal".

Kind of adapting a SUV to all kinds of terrain (and claiming it will be top-class on every......) - from Indianapolis Speedway to rough off-road terrain in Alaska- by just changing the tires.
A tonearm mated with a cartridge with suitable compliance will NEVER need additional damping - and will always perform better without.
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