SME V arm: vertical play at the arm post

I have an SME V arm and have found it to have some slight play at the cylindrical arm post when loosening the set-screws. I had thought this was a way to adjust azimuth before re-tightening the set-screws until I saw a post from dougdeacon recommending against this as it places the bearings out of level. I started thinking about this and realized that if the arm post is not truely vertical or plumb, the rest of the arm's geometry as it sweeps toward the center of the LP would also be off and cause problems. I had mistakenly thought the azimuth could be slightly adjusted in this way, but now I realize it can't be and I agree with all of those users who say that azimuth can not be adjusted on the SME fixed-headshell arms.

Furthermore, I find that when I adjust VTA with the VTA screw by turning it clock-wise to lift the arm, it tilts the arm slightly to the right because it is off center from the arm pivot axis. I then push the cylindrical base slightly back to the left and check it for level with a bubble level before re-tightening the set-screws at the base.

Given the extreme tolerances of SME turntables and arms, this slight play at the arm base seems odd. Do other users have this same issue? Advice greatly appreciated.