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JMW 10.5 vs SME V

I have an older SME V tonearm that I guess I will need to upgrade the bearings to make current. Ordering a classic and wondering how much worse/better/same/different the JMW 10.5 will be with my Grado Reference Sonata? Wondering if I should keep my SME V and "make it work" with the classic?

Anybody have experience dealing with the queue lever on the SME V? Mine won't go down by the lever unless I push it down first with the lever down, raise the lever and then lower the lever within 30 seconds or so. Otherwise I have to do the manual prep thing again.

Thanks
jkorten
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Agree with narrod, keep the VPI and sell off the dated and qurrelsome SME. Refurb to old arms that have bearing issues tend to be a waste.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,463 posts
 
I hope those anti-VPI people won't take offence, but I had an SME V (on a SOTA) and traded it in for a VPI 9 (got it used) (not Sig which is better). It was a very, very big step up.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
To clarify, I'm not suggesting which arm is best. I've owned the original JMW and a SME Mark IV. Both are excellent arms.
I've not heard the new JMW and I've never owned a Mark V.

Wendell
jkorten OP
36 posts
 
Buconero117 - the bearings aren't troublesome and the arm sounds great. It is just that they have an "upgrade" to the bearings I could take advantage of if I wanted to. I have a query into SME to see if they can send me a replacement part for the queuing lever and I'll see if I can fix it that way. In fact I will wait until I can hear them both. Thanks for the advice Wendell!

Jerry
rccc
216 posts
 
The cue lever on the V has to be left in the rest position when not in use. It is slow and I have found extra sticky when its cold. The comparison of the two arms is system dependent. A VPI arm should be ideal for a VPI table but now the cartridge match needs to be optimal. Ive found my V to be stunning with some cartridges and less so with others but overall it has been a friendlier match with a variety of tables and carts than some others.
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