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SMEV set up problem....help needed

I have been setting up an Sme V tonearm on to an SME 10 TT and seem to have a problem setting the VTA (Arm height) In the instructions it states that the arm should be lowered to approx. 1/8" from the record surface and then adjusted until the front and back readings are similar. When I do this there is no clearance betwen the stylus and record surface when the tonearm lever is raised, what am I doing wrong??? the cartridge is a te kaitora rua, the height of this is 18.7mm from tip to top. Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated.
wes4390

Showing 1 response by triodeotl

triodeotl's avatar
triodeotl
9 posts
 
Initially with the arm raised I think that the arm will be about ½ inch from the top of the LP surface when viewed from the side.

Then set the arm and the cartridge on the LP and again view from the side. Have the arm about halfway across the LP.
Then use the supplied SME alignment gauge to level the arm using the stripe on the side of the arm so that the arm is perfectly level or slightly tipped back towards the mounting post.

Try to use a 150 gram pressing for your initial setup (An original Chesky LP if you have one or a heavy orange label pressing of a London Stereo Treasury). That way things will be more optimized for all thickness of pressings.

For instance original MO-FI are 100 grams. Most commercial pressing are between 90 and 120 grams. Then you have the 180 and 200 gram pressings. Unless all that you play are 180 or 200 gram.

Try to go with 150 gram as it will be the happy medium and you won’t have to tweak and fiddle with the arm at all.

The SME’s are the easiest to setup in the world and they do not go out of adjustment.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions email me.
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