But I was mistaken: the SME M2-10 headshell has a very very slightly different angle compared to the SME M2-9 headshell, and even has a "secret mark" on it: two dots, while the 9-inch headshell only has one dot on the underside.įor more information please go to the manufacturer's website.īuilt quality is excellent, the usual SME standard.
At first I thought, Ok, SME sells the longer version for the decks with a bit bigger platter, while using the same headshell.
Sme tonearm for sale series#
But be careful: while the ubiquitious SME 3009 series 2 improved is just a short 9 inch tonearm, the SME M2-9 is in fact a 9.5 inch tonearm, whereas the SME2-10 is a 9.75 inch tonearm. The tonearm uses the common SME sliding base, so mounting was in a breeze. Some folks might not like this mix of materials, but to me, sound is everything, so I bought such a tonearm, when it appeared on the second hand market. This seems like an attempt to bring an SME entry level tonearm into the 21st century. It even offers VTA on the fly, using a fine thumb wheel at the base. Magnesium headshell, stainless steel armwand, brass elsewhere. While it looks old fashioned with its weight-and-string antiskating device,Īt the same time it is built using modern materials: tungsten counterweight, When SME launched this tonearm, I was curious about its sound and performance. Test sample: bought second hand on the usual marketplacesĪpprox cost: new retail around 1000 EUR, but street prices might be different It also means that the stylus has to be very carefully mounted in the pick-up arm.Ĭontent provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by SME.SME M2 tonearm review - SME M2 tonearm An Underrated Performer This extra low signal strength is one reason why a separate phono amplification stage is so important to a Hi-Fi system. Most use a moving magnet system, though some use a more accurate but fainter moving coil design. Sitting in its headshell at the far end of the arm, the cartridge contains both the needle and its magnetic pickups that transform physical vibrations into electrical signals. At the same time, the counterweight has to provide just enough mass to ensure the minimum necessary level of tracking force to ensure that it doesnt wear down the grooves even as the anti-skate mechanism keeps the stylus from spinning. They not only have to support the arm, but they have to let it move freely but only within very circumscribed limits.
Tonearm: The tonearm mounts to the plinth and supports the cartridge at one end while being balanced by the counterweight at the other.Platter: The rotating platter both supports the record itself and also provides its stability in motion.It holds the motor and any gearing and supplies the weight to ensure that it stays stable when playing records at a constant speed. Plinth: The plinth is the base of the unit.There are three main components to a turntable: All the music comes from a tiny stylus vibrating as it rides along a rotating groove in a vinyl disc. Also known as record players, they are one of the few truly mechanical methods of musical reproduction. How Does a Turntable Work?Īll turntables work in essentially the same way. The clear analog sound of a turntable reproduces the music as it was meant to be heard. Many audiophiles swear by the sound of vinyl records.