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Problems with SME 10 Turntable

Before I call Sumiko for advice, I'd like to run a problem by you folks. On the lead in groove [and for the first minute of music], I seem to be getting a slightly audible sub-harmonic rumble. I'm using monitors that go down to 35 Hz, and I can actually watch the woofer pumping, and the cartridge bounce at a certain point on the outer grooves. It is better on some records, especially audiophile pressings.

The other day, I slightly moved my TT stand, which is on casters, and sits on carpet. The stand is also rather wobbly, as it's not firmly anchored with spikes. But the TT sits on a Symposium Super platform. I tried to play a record that was still clamped to the table, and had played perfectly the day before. The rumble was so bad that I couldn't play the record! The stylus actually bounced out of the grooves.

The SME is about 6 years old, and only used occasionally. So my question is...can this be some type of oscillation from the inadequate stand [the SME 10 is an unsuspended table design], or possible belt wear or a flat spot on the belt. I haven't fired up the SME again, as there have been thunderstorms lately, and I'm waiting for the stand's casters to sink back into the carpet.

Thanks to all in advance! And I know that my stand will have to be replaced, but funds are somewhat tight right now.
fatparrot
6 responses Add your response
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I have a SME 20/2 on a symposium stand. But I'm very familiar with your 10.

The thing that worries me is "casters, wobbly stand, carpet." The symposium shelf can't deal with these problems. I don't think it's your table by what you describe. Can you go with a wall shelf? Like those made by target or billy baggs? I think the target ones are around 100-$200.

Any table will have some issues.

Your SME 10 is one of the top tables out there. Assuming nothing it broken, I'd bet a good amount of money it's the stand, carpet and casters....
pbb
1,140 posts
 
Seems to be the pressing more than anything else. A case of edge warp in some records I would think. The motion sets off some subsonic garbage. Unfortunately, most if not all audiophile phono sections have done away with a subsonic filter. I cured my problem with some Nakamichi in-line subsonic filters I had on hand. Now that I have a transformer I don't have to set the volume control of my line amp at the top of its range to get a decent volume and it seems that I don't face the rumble problem anymore. That or maybe I stay away from records with edge warp. I tell you what I have my tt on and you can decide for yourself whether the $80.00 it costs gives you something the equal of so-called audiophile tt stands: I bought a tubular steel aquarium stand on top of which is a section of Corian. Since aquarium stands have to be very sturdy to withstand the weight, you could easily substitute a slab of granite for the Corian. Works for me. BTW I don't think anything is wrong with your table. Good luck.
mcfarland
356 posts
 
Just a thought. . .What tracking force are you using, and, have you measured it since moving the table?
gregm
3,407 posts
 
Seems to be vinyl -- not TT related, as Pbb suggests. OTOH, have you checked the cartridge alignment lately? Azimuth and offset angle could be culprits (check overhang & spindle to pivot distance); anti-skating could also help, but seems less likely from your description.
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rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 
Dear Fatparrot: If you listen to your music at very high volume levels it could be a feedback problem with your analog rig, but if you don't then other reason than: "casters, wobbly stand, carpet.", could be a wrong match between your tonearm and your cartridge: when everything is right ( good TT, no feedback sound, good tonearm, good cartridge, etc.. ) the only reason for a " bounce cartridge " effect is that the resonance frecuency between the tonearm/cartridge is really out of target. Of course there are other issues that you have to check: VTF, antyskate, VTA/SRA, etc... Other alternative is that the tonearm has a problem at their bearings or that the cartridge has a problem with its suspension/stylus.

Try another cartridge in your system and " see " what happen. Or try your cartridge in other tonearm or in a friend's system .

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Try removing the casters from the stand's legs if possible. That might help it re-anchor itself through the carpet more quickly and firmly.

Even better, try this: get 3 spikes and mount them to a platform of some kind, like a DIY amp stand. Put the entire TT stand (sans casters) up on that. You should be able to achieve better, more stable floor coupling for very little money. A floaty stand on floaty carpet is a poor support, especially for an unsuspended table.
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