Problem matching Benz LP S w/ SME V or IV.Vi arm ?

I think you may have inadvertantly erred on the resonance frequency of the original LP. You are correct about the resonance frequency of the LP S being 7.9, however, considering the approximately 6 grams lower weight of the LP version,the resonance frequency should be about 8.9, not 6.9 as you indicate. This makes the LP a better "fit" than the LP S, which shows as marginal in relation to the desireable gray area of the chart. However, that may not be a serious issue, since things don't appear to be really critical. I'm perhaps a bit more concerned about any stability of the tonearm insofar as cuing, tracking and handling with this heavier Benz fitted to the slightly light SME. I might again contact Sumiko to see if they supply a heavier or added counterweight for the SME, but I'll wait first for the report on your experience. Incidentally, I have the IV.Vi. Its effective mass is identical to the V's.

You are are right. My bad. I thought the chart I was shown stated 6.9 for the older LP. I found this chart at Vinyl engine useful after I last posted:

http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_resonance_evaluator.php?eff_mass=11&submit=Submit

I do see some confusion about the Internet about these two very products. At the SME homepage they show 10/11 for the SME V tonearm weight, and at Musicalsurroundinsg they show 10 for the Benz LP S and 16 for the LP. On a few other web sites I have seen figures of 10 grams for the LP DS as well.

You said that you were concerened about the weight of the MC versus the tonearm, the SME series IV.V and V allow you to add viscous damping and have ample headroom (adjustment wise) for such a heavy cartridge.

BTW, what turntable is all of this supposed to be setting on. Mine is a Transrotor Apollon mass loaded turntable, and is pretty heavy, about 100 plus pounds of platter, motors and assembly than another almost 300 pounds of Clearaudio MontBlanc tunrtable rack. I have never experienced any wow and flutter or excessive woofing due to resonance, now I am keeping my fingers crossed that I still will not.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life

Your chart doesn't show anything for 16 grams cartridge weight, only up to 15. The resonance chart I use can be found at www.resfreq.com/resonancecalculator.html Yes, the effective mass for the SME V or IV.V is 10/11, but when I look at the Musical Surroundings site, no information at all is given for the discontinued Benz LP, but 16 is given for the weight of the LP S. It's actually 16.4 though.

I do not have the optional viscous damping trough/fluid for my IV.Vi arm. My turntable is the discontinued VPI HW-19 MK3 with the lead and cork platter.

Thank you for the link, that is a good one, already bookmarked. I like that one way better than the one at Vinyl Engine. The sums for the LP S an V arm are okay looking to me. I understand your concern about damping though. VPI was my first choice until I saw the Transrotor at the High End Show a few years back.

I am going to play some last tunes and try to (really) benchmark into my memory some reference music I use and then remove the old Benz, sigh. At this time tommorrow I should have it mounted and will be able to give initial impressions. I always start at the lowest recommended settings and then boldy move to the max and try to establish the signature sound of any cartridge. After that, it will be lots of fun, yeah right. I will probably stay up late trying to get as many hours as I can on it.
Ciao,
Audioquest4life

"...it will be lots of fun, yeah right." I had to laugh at that. Okay, I'll look forward to hearing your first impressions. Best of luck.