Dear Lewm,
the SME 300 series (including SME V and IV) is one of the very few tonearms which does come with a kind of "fixed" geometry in ALL parameters. Given its unability to adjust offset, overhang (we can just move the base - which we shouldn't... - NOT the cartridge ) and effective length, it surely is a fairly unique sample.
Make no mistake - the SME V was designed for a specific mounting distance spindle to pivot-bearing! The SME sliding base is often mistaken for being an "invitation" to "adjust" the base "freely" to whatever alignment you want.
Not so.
SME does specify a mounting distance of 215.35 mm.
See here:
http://www.sme.ltd.uk/content/Series-V-1330.shtml
They did not give this very precise figure out of the blue........
SME took for granted all industry standards of its day (early 1980ies) and said:
"well, if all cartridge designers do obey to and follow the standards given and if all LPs are cut following the new IEC standard, then evrything will be perfect with our new tonearm - it will be the "best tonearm in the world"............"
But the world is an imperfect one and many people do want to go their own ways.
The new SME surely was the LEAST UNIVERSAL tonearm ever designed .......
It is for sure the one tonearm which gives almost no possibilities to adjust to specific cartridge needs or to different arcs.
The SME V was a child of its day and was regarded when introduced as the first tonearm which took all (some of them fairly new...) industry standards for record-cutting and cartridge dimensions serious.
Too serious.
Only a cartridge with 100% orientated cantilever and 100% standard horizontal distance mounting holes-stylus can be correctly aligned in a SME V and can only be aligned to ONE standard cuve/arc - the IEC.
Offset can not be aligned in an SME - thats why the SME template does FORCE the user into one possible geometry only.
Thats why the MINT tractor is so very effective with a SME V and a specific cartridge.
In a biological sense the SME V (and its offsprings with fixed headshell and fixed mounting holes) is the very opposite of evolutionary versatile.
It can not "adjust" to any change in the "enviromental conditions".
With the "right" cartridge, it is a VERY serious tonearm.
But there are so very few "right" (read: 100% following IEC standards) cartridges for the SME V around.......
the SME 300 series (including SME V and IV) is one of the very few tonearms which does come with a kind of "fixed" geometry in ALL parameters. Given its unability to adjust offset, overhang (we can just move the base - which we shouldn't... - NOT the cartridge ) and effective length, it surely is a fairly unique sample.
Make no mistake - the SME V was designed for a specific mounting distance spindle to pivot-bearing! The SME sliding base is often mistaken for being an "invitation" to "adjust" the base "freely" to whatever alignment you want.
Not so.
SME does specify a mounting distance of 215.35 mm.
See here:
http://www.sme.ltd.uk/content/Series-V-1330.shtml
They did not give this very precise figure out of the blue........
SME took for granted all industry standards of its day (early 1980ies) and said:
"well, if all cartridge designers do obey to and follow the standards given and if all LPs are cut following the new IEC standard, then evrything will be perfect with our new tonearm - it will be the "best tonearm in the world"............"
But the world is an imperfect one and many people do want to go their own ways.
The new SME surely was the LEAST UNIVERSAL tonearm ever designed .......
It is for sure the one tonearm which gives almost no possibilities to adjust to specific cartridge needs or to different arcs.
The SME V was a child of its day and was regarded when introduced as the first tonearm which took all (some of them fairly new...) industry standards for record-cutting and cartridge dimensions serious.
Too serious.
Only a cartridge with 100% orientated cantilever and 100% standard horizontal distance mounting holes-stylus can be correctly aligned in a SME V and can only be aligned to ONE standard cuve/arc - the IEC.
Offset can not be aligned in an SME - thats why the SME template does FORCE the user into one possible geometry only.
Thats why the MINT tractor is so very effective with a SME V and a specific cartridge.
In a biological sense the SME V (and its offsprings with fixed headshell and fixed mounting holes) is the very opposite of evolutionary versatile.
It can not "adjust" to any change in the "enviromental conditions".
With the "right" cartridge, it is a VERY serious tonearm.
But there are so very few "right" (read: 100% following IEC standards) cartridges for the SME V around.......