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I would appreciate any input on this.
My friend has a SME 10 turntable with the stock 309 tonearm. This has a removable headshell, but removing the headshell is not as simple as removing with a standard mount headshell. Due to age he has decreased dexterity and diminished eyesight, so removing the headshell has resulted in some damaged cartridges.
I would appreciate input regarding compatibility and experience replacing the stock arm with a standard mount removable headshell tonearm. I would especially appreciate input on what might be a drop in replacement with a removable standard mount headshell. The mounting shaft diameter would also be helpful in looking for a replacement. I looked on Vinyl Engine and it only say SME mount.
I don't have current easy access to the turntable as my friend lives in a different part of the country. I plan to fly in for a visit and make the change for my friend during my visit. So to the extent I can have what I need and be prepared when I arrive will optimize my opportunity to accomplish this over a weekend.
Thanks for your help with this
Jim Perry
Follow Ups:
Hello
A timely question, for me at least. I just changed cartridges on my 2 tables with Rega arms and it was not a pleasant experience, I broke into cold sweat trying to fix the cartridge onto the arm as they had no screw sleeves built into them. It was a screw and nut affair.
I now use a phillps head screw and a hex nut with a phillps head screwdriver below and a hex nut driver on top to tighten the nut from above. With the phillps head screw, the driver does not slip off the screw head easily.
A replaceable headshell still requires fixing a new cartridge to the headshell which still involves the overall alignment of the cartridge/arm assembly.
Though individuals have preferred cartridge/s, be it MC or MM or both, the MM cartridge has an advantage in that once fixed and aligned properly, only the stylus assembly is to be replaced without any realignment of the cartridge/arm. This still depends on how tight the cartridge is fixed to the headshell and the amount of strength one applies to remove the stylus assembly.
There are many decent MM cartridges now that only require the stylus assembly to be changed and I've taken this route with one table.
Cheers.
Thanks KiK. A cartridge with replaceable stylus assembly is an interesting thought. I will have to see if my friends CAT preamp has MM phono stage or if it is dedicated to for MC cartridge only.
I am going to be blunt. Before I do I must point out that I am in my latter years and am losing my sight (I have now lost the sight in one eye). So not too dissimilar to your friend.
The headshell of the SME 10 arm requires a bolt (clamp) behind the headshell to be loosened before the headshell is removed. That is it. Loosening a bolt will not damage a cartridge. If that has happened then he will have done it by handling the headshell/cartridge otherwise and this will happen with any other arm with any other design of removable headshell. Sorry but there it is.
As I know from my personal experience with diminishing eyesight it becomes increasingly hard to use vinyl. I can now only just about see to cue records from the run in groove. Forget about selecting tracks, the bands cannot be seen. I know that my limited abilities will diminish over time and I am aware that I will have to give up sooner or later. Just like Audio Beatnik linked below.
I would advise your friend to simply settle on one cartridge and leave it at that for the moment. Swapping cartridges now seems to be no longer possible without risk of damage. Your caring for your friend is exemplary. However there comes a time in our lives when what we were able to do when we were younger is not longer feasible.
"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams
PAR,
Thanks for your input on this. I appreciate your insight and thoughtful answer.
Settling on one cartridge is good advice
To follow PAR's comment, I have used a 309 for years, changing headshells is no more difficult than any other tonearm with interchangeable headshells. AND the connection is superior to almost any other.
With all respect for your friend, I am afraid a new tonearm won't solve the problem.
Cataract surgery might. I sure as hell hope so.
Thanks Louie3. I am considering a number of options for a solution.
The older SME 3009, unimproved might be a good option also. Link below:
Thanks so much. I will check out the Groovemaster
If nothing else, and not knowing your level of commitment to a project I offer this:
Back when I was refurbishing and using the 309 series arms I found SME very responsive with e-mail inquiries and answers to technical questions. It should be easy to find out the exact diameter of the mounting hole needed.
In regard to the headshell issue, Audio Technica and Technics arms, among others, have the very easy to use collar for the headshell.
The 1005, in particular, is a very good arm I used for several years. Here's one from Ebay.
Any Damned Fool Knows One Horse Can Run Faster Than Another
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. I will inquire with SME.
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