SME 3009 or micro-seiki 505

[svante]

Hi

I m planning to build an record player, in order to experiment with DIY tonearms, purely for the fun of it.
I have purchased a denon PD3000 motor unit (on its way from Japan, hope it’s in ok status when it arrives). I will us two arms, one that I experiment on, but also an normal as reference, so I can compare my progress. I’m thinking of either a micro-Seiki 505 or an SMV 3009
Someone ho has an opinion which one is best?

I normally uses Denon DL 103, but last year I have used an Micro Benz wood SL. Currently using an Michele synchro player and EAR clone RIAA, and SUT that actually is some kind of microphone input device (10:1).

Br Svante

[Hugo]

What is the picture about?
I would go with the SME as reference, not because it is better (I have no idea) but because it is the best known after market/upgrade tone arm there is.
Both Thorens (with the TD160) and Marantz (With the 6300) have marketed turn tables with this arm. It is also the most common arm seen on the TD124 and the Garrard 301 and 401 so a true reference tone arm in the sense of the meaning.

[svante]

Hi Hugo

Thanks, I leaning towards the MSE also, but it seems to be quit more expensive, in Europe its about same prized, but in Japan you can find lower priced Micro-Seiki, so it might in the end be Micro-Seiki unless I find a good deal on a SME 3009.

The picture is my DIY RIAA (EAR clone, boards from DOUKE)
Br Svante

[Tables_and_Tubes]

As much as I like Japanese audio products, when it comes to tonearms, I am SME all the way. I run a Series V and a 3009 Series II Improved fixed headshell (light arm good for high compliance MM only).

I would call the folks at smetonearms.com in Canada to see what they want for a completely rebuilt SME arm of your choice.

Nice build on the EAR clone! I have my clone boards stuffed (tossed most of the junk parts that came with the kit) and am figuring out the enclosure. I like your layout. Any problems with hum? I noticed that you have a heatsink on the tube heater supply rectifier. Did it get excessively hot?

Dan

[svante]

Hi Dan

Its sounds that I should focus on SME than, however I want to use detachable head shell, so I easily can compare the homebuilt arm VS the OEM arm.
How does that type of SME3009 arms work with MC cartridge that has compliance around 15?

I have no hum (if amp on very high volume, and you have the ear close to the woofer its hearable, but not from listening position, and certainly not when needle is on the record), tried to keep the transformer as far away from input before first amplifier stage to avoid the hum.
I also only kept some original resistor that was out of the signal path, and measured fine, everything else is better parts.
On the lencoheaven tread about this RIAA build they recommended an heat sink, so I mounted it directly, however its quite cold now, so I doubt it was really needed

Br Svante

[Tables_and_Tubes]

I would not use a Series II Improved fixed headshell with a lower compliance MC cartridge. The SII Imp. Fixed was SME's model to compete with the ultralight arms of the day (think Infinity Black Widow).
All of the removable headshell 3009's have a higher effective mass. Just look up the specs. on the arm that you are interested in, and punch the numbers into a arm/cartridge resonance calculator to make sure it will work.
The diodes, rectifier, and a few non critical resistors are about all that I used from the parts kit on the EAR clone.

Dan

[Hugo]

So I think we all agree that SME is the way to go for one reason or an other but wether the price is too high for you, that you will have to decide for your self.

[svante]

Hi

I bought an SME 3009 with detachably head shell, the arm had a faulty lift, so i have to ad silicon oil (if I want to us it, normally don't actually), I have seen information of both 100 kcSt and 300 kcSt, someone knows the correct viscosity to use for the SME lift?

Br SVante

[Brian Beck]

So I think we all agree that SME is the way to go for one reason or an other but wether the price is too high for you, that you will have to decide for your self.

I wonder how many people have actually heard and compared the 505 to the SME. I have owned both a 3009 Series II with detachable head shell and a Micro Seiki 505. The 505 had considerably more solid lower registers and a smoother top end than the 3009. A buddy with both arms agreed with this assessment. I also have a SME 3012R with the stainless steel arm wand. I prefer it slightly over the 505 but it is close. My main arm is a late model Triplanar which is more musical in my opinion than either other arm.

The parameters of the cartridge that you use may change the ranking. Cartridge mass, compliance and resonant properties matter too. I have several cartridges but my main one is a Dynavector XV-1S.