Tracking error distortion audibility

Axelwahl,
I just finished re-aligning my Air Tight PC1 in my SME V arm using the MINTLP TRACTOR. I learned much in the process. First, contrary to what I've read about the SME V, cartridge zenith is slightly adjustable. When I noticed through the 10x loupe that the cantilever was not parallel to the thick MINT lines I was able to rotate the cartridge about 3 degrees by loosening the mounting screws and turning the cartridge until it lined up with the markings on the MINT. Second, azimuth can also be slightly adjusted by tilting the arm base before tightening the set screws. Though more modern arm designs like the Graham Phantom and the Tri-Planar are much more easily adjusted, the SME V can be adjusted in all of these areas for what I have found to be near-perfect alignment.

The MINT arc-style protractor is an excellent tool for alignment. I'm not experienced enough to know if proper alignment will solve your tracking problem, but rest assured, your SME V can be properly adjusted for excellent alignment. I have found that after I adjust anything on my arm, I have to recheck the armtube distance to the spindle with that SME supplied plastic guide. Good Luck.
Peter

This discussion about the SME V arm and overhang adjustment is interesting and somewhat confusing. I had the same conversation with Yip of MINT LP. I had to supply the arm to spindle distance as specified by SME, the arm pivot distance to the center of the catridge mounting holes as specified by SME and most importantly, the mounting hole to stylus-tip distance as specified my my catridge manufacturer-Air Tight. This last was hard to get, but once I gave it to Yip, he made an arc-type protractor specific to my arm/cartridge combination and sent it to me. I realigned my cartridge which was off by about 2mm from using the SME alignment tools and adjusted the zenith and azimuth. I presume the new alignment is more accurate, because it sounds significantly better and under 10x magnification, the cantilever lines up with the tangent lines on the protractor.

I have found the SME V arm to be very inconvenient to adjust, but it sounds fine and it can be properly aligned. Though I still don't know if this is the source of your "tracking error distortion".

Dertonarm,
I understand your simple and accurate description of tonearm geometry very well. Thanks. It really does make sense, and perhaps SME made this mistake back when their arms were originally disigned. My only point is that once an owner knows the stylus tip to mounting hole distance and gets a specific protractor made for his/her arm/cartridge combination, the SME V arm can be very accurately positioned and the cartridge properly aligned. Surely, this can be attested to by happy SME arm owners.

Raul and Dertonarm,
Does either of you have an opinion on whether or not the advantages of lower theoretical distortion of a 12" arm outweigh the disadvantages of greater moving mass and potential for slight stylus misalignment being amplified more in a longer arm?

I'm curious about the differences between the 9" SME V and the new 12" SME V-12. This topic is discussed by Michael Fremer in the latest Stereophile review of the SME 20/12 and I'd like to read your opinions. Thanks. Peter

Frank,
That suggestion to file down ONE cartridge mounting screw at the top is pure elegance. Simple, effective, and no damage to the arm. Why didn't I think of that? There was enough play in my mounting holes to allow me to rotate my cartridge in the SME V slightly to achieve the proper offset angle according to my protractor.

I'm curious. You mention in your earlier post that an arc-type protractor will not work if effective length has changed. This should not hold true for a protractor that was designed with a specific cartridge and arm in mind, or am I missing something?

You seem to describe perfectly what I have experienced with my SME arm and cartridge. Thank you.