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SME 20/3 --- tonearm recommendations!?

Hello Gon'ers - I have an SME 20/3 coming, recently purchased on Audiogon. I'm trying to decide what tonearm will fit the table and be a good match. I considered Graham Engineering but I have a similar setup already (30/2 + Graham Phantom II). The tonearm will be mated with my Koetsu Urshi Blue cartridge. I generally listen to Jazz and classic rock, but also enjoy most any genre. Will be mated to a Pass Labs XP-25 preamp. 

I've considered an SME IV modified (new bearings, new wiring), or one of the Kuzma tonearms. They seem to be on vogue but I don't know much about them (or it they will fit the SME).
128x128mohawk195
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Come on syntax. That one is the runt of the litter. Why not just go for the Axiom? Right up there with your Rolex.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
... the runt of the litter ...

Yes, but still very impressive. Did listen to one last week...amazing Performance.
But that owner did wear a Rolex too :-)
Well, we know, a true Audiophile is born to suffer ... best is to listen to some Arms ...or to learn something about geometry, bearing quality, enery transfer...most Arms work only with a few carts very well, or they give their 'sonic signature' to everything you use .... most don’t care because Hardware rolling is the fun of the game... or a good price beats the ear...I prefer one which is a final statement for every cartridge :-)
mohawk195's avatar
mohawk195 OP
9 posts
 
I know that it has been stated the the Koetsu will not be a good match to the Kuzma due to compliance. Looking at a cartridge calculator, the Kuzma is 18g effective mass. The Koetsu mass is 9g with a compliance of 5. The calculated resonance is 14hz. If I use heavier fasteners, I can bring the Koetsu mass to 15g and the resonance down to 12hz. Is this a worthwhile approach? I realize if I go this route (Kuzma), I may have to sell the Koetsu..
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
Its a bit of a fork in the road: koetsu and other low compliance carts go left....medium compliance go right. ;)
Since you have two, somewhat similar, one-arm turntables it seems an opportunity to devote one for low compliance carts and the other medium-high compliance carts is at hand.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
mohawk that is absolutely perfect. It is easy to add mass. Much harder to take it away. There are head shell weights you can get that hide under the cartridge. You add weight until you get the resonance down just under 10 Hz. Get The Hi FI news test record. It is easy to use and you can dial things in as well as any tech. Do not trust the math by the way. Use the test record. There are too many variables the math can not predict. The Kuzma is a terrific arm for the Koetsu. It has unbeatable bearings, the vertical bearings are right at the level of the record where they belong and the arm tube is as stiff and resonance free as they get. Also if you were to get a high compliance cartridge you can always tame the situation with the damping system.
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