Going from a Gyrodec to a SME 10

Hi yogiboy,

Thanks for your reply. I think it would be an upgrade changing decks.
Yes I know that the price of the headshells aren't cheap. That's way I thought I'd ask the community here what others thoughts were..

I've also been told that changing headshells on the 309 isn't as easy as it perhaps should be..

I've contacted SME who were really good in their replay.. One of the questions I asked them was why the built a arm these day with the removable headshell, their reply was that's what a a lot of customers want...

Hi Kensell21.
The headshell is very simple to remove,just follow the instructions and you will have no problem! SME has been making tonearms for over sixty years and if a removable headshell was a problem they would not make it!

BTW,there is a new 309 headshell on Ebay for $119,grab it if it is still there!

The SME 309 headshell is easy to change and allows for relatively easy azimuth adjustments; it's the adjustment of the tonearm height for various cartridge heights that's a pain. I think the SME sliding base is genious for (horizontal) alignment of a cartridge but trying to get fine vertical adjustments in tonearm height for VTA/SRA alignment is cumbersome at best.

You could always add the damping trough and vertical height screw to easily make VTA/SRA adjustments. I've considered spending the money for the convenience.

Regards,
Tom

PS: Is it simply the desire for a change or are there things about the Gyrodec that you find limiting?

I have never heard the Gyrodec, so I can't offer advice about the upgrade.
However, I did own an SME Model 10 for eight years before going up the SME
line. I started with the 309, then the 9" V and now own the V-12.

I too think the sliding base is fantastic for horizontal tracking angle adjustment
or overhang, and I used to think the VTA screw and adjusting arm height was
cumbersome at best. However, I started to experiment with different SRA
settings and I have become fairly adept at unlocking the base and making tiny
height adjustments. I now find it worth the effort for the considerable
improvements in sonics. However, I don't then readjust overhang or VTF for
different VTA.

Remember, raising or lowering the height of the standard 9" arm by 4 mm
results in a 1 degree SRA change. I alter the height by as little as 1-2 mm
depending on the LP. This is between 1/4 and 1/2 of one degree SRA. And with
my new 12" V12, it is even less. A 1mm height change means about a 3/4
rotation of the VTA screw. That's a lot. Imagine how tiny a height change or
SRA change you can get from a 1/4 turn of the VTA screw. The threads aren't as
fine as with some other arms, but, the screw is removable and you are left with a
superior rigidly locked arm base. Some feel the cantilevered/offset arm tower
allowing for relatively convenient VTA adjustment compromises the rigidity of
the arm structure. Durand changed precisely this with their top of the line Telos
arm.

The only problem is that there are no calibration marks on the SME arm for
height. I used to think that one needed a Graham or TriPlanar or Durand for
easy VTA/SRA adjustment, but now I feel the SME is almost as easy. You just
have to get used to the process. And for calibration, I use the SME scale on the
protractor measuring from the top surface of the arm board to the bottom
surface of the extension for the arm rest. The range is from 16 mm to 19mm for
my collection of LPs.

I think the removable headshell is fine for cartridge swapping and azimuth
adjustment, but I never did that with my 309. (I also did not install the finger lift
for any of my SME arms). If you swap cartridges, you should keep and use the
309, but if you use only one cartridge, I would use your IV arm.

Also check to see if the motor controller with the Model 10 has speed
adjustability. Mine did not and the speed was very slightly fast, so I replaced
belts often. I think the new motor controllers are adjustable.

You will enjoy the SME table.