Any thoughts on the SME M2 Tonearm anyone?

[dynamic turtle]

Just interested to know how this arm compares to others at the same price point.

Cheers

DT

[alexs2]

Difficult to say since auditioning this sort of thing is notoriously problematic,and depends as much on the relationship between an arm and TT as between the arm and cartridge as well.

The SME is as beautifully made as any of SME's offerings,but if it was my money,I'd also look at the Origin Live Silver,Rega RB600 and perhaps some of the used arms out on the market,albeit with great care looking at those.

You'd also need to take into account which TT and cartridge you'd be partnering it with.

[Beobloke]

Have had the opportunity to play with one on a Musical Fidelity M1 turntable and it is a wonderfully built piece of kit, as one would expect from SME.

The sound of the MF/SME combo was very good with an Ortofon MC10 Super cartridge, although i felt it was a little "polite" and "safe" compared to the same cartridge in my own Garrard 301/Audio Technica AT1130 combo (but then, when you're used to Garrard bass, most other turntables do tend to sound a bit lightweight!!)

I didn't have the opportunity to do any comparisons to its competition but it would definitely be on my shortlist if i were in the market for an arm at that price, particularly as i have never found the Rega arms and their associated hot-rodded variants to be particularly inspiring.

[analogueaddict]

Hi,

Originally Posted by dynamic turtle

Just interested to know how this arm compares to others at the same price point.

Cheers

DT

I've heard this arm and, I have say, I was dissapointed. Sure it feels nice and it goes about it's job in a very workmanlike way, and will probably see most of us into our graves it's built so well, but sonically it just didn't impress me, I've heard rewired RB250's sound better, though right now at that price point I'd look at the entry level Hadcock unipivot tonearm or even a Roksan Nima, which is a phenomenal tonearm for it's £350 price tag. The Hadcock is a touch more fiddly to set up, but once it's up and running you'll be amazed at it's imaging, speed and bass response. Both of these arms will walk all over the SME IMHO.

What turntable are you looking at mounting the new arm on?

Regards,

Dave

[dynamic turtle]

Originally Posted by analogueaddict

Hi,



I've heard this arm and, I have say, I was dissapointed. Sure it feels nice and it goes about it's job in a very workmanlike way, and will probably see most of us into our graves it's built so well, but sonically it just didn't impress me, I've heard rewired RB250's sound better, though right now at that price point I'd look at the entry level Hadcock unipivot tonearm or even a Roksan Nima, which is a phenomenal tonearm for it's £350 price tag. The Hadcock is a touch more fiddly to set up, but once it's up and running you'll be amazed at it's imaging, speed and bass response. Both of these arms will walk all over the SME IMHO.

What turntable are you looking at mounting the new arm on?

Regards,

Dave

Well, yes, the Hadcock GH242 is very much at the forefront of my mind. I had discounted the Nima purely on price (and looks too - not an acrylic fan).

I'm looking at upgrading my turntable at the moment, and two of the decks I have in mind, use SME M2-9's. I've not heard great things about the M2, hence why I'm trying to ascertain wether or not its a total dog, as the I really don't fancy having to change arms.

Basically, if I get a new turntable, I'll have a budget of £1500-£2000 (used/ex-dem) to spunk, so its going to be something very nice indeed

That's if I decide to buy a turntable. Also looking at wrath-of-God sacd players and speakers too. Fancy treating myself. Again

Maybe I should start a "help me spunk £2k" thread?!

Rgds,
DT

[Beobloke]

Originally Posted by dynamic turtle

Maybe I should start a "help me spunk £2k" thread?!

Rgds,
DT

Well, that'd be easy thanks to this appearing on Ebay recently - leaves you £200 to spend on vinyl as well!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MakeTrack=true

Drool, pant, dribble etc.............

[dynamic turtle]

Originally Posted by Beobloke

Well, that'd be easy thanks to this appearing on Ebay recently - leaves you £200 to spend on vinyl as well!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MakeTrack=true

Drool, pant, dribble etc.............

Yep, very nice indeedy. Sort of thing that would scare a Yamato class battleship

After something a little more contemporary though.

DT

[analogueaddict]

Hi,

Originally Posted by dynamic turtle

Well, yes, the Hadcock GH242 is very much at the forefront of my mind. I had discounted the Nima purely on price (and looks too - not an acrylic fan).

The 242 is a stunner, a gives insane performance for the price, but PLEASE don't discount the Nima, it is another killer arm for the money, if you can get over the cosmetics then please give this arm a try, it is astonishing value for money.

Originally Posted by dynamic turtle

I'm looking at upgrading my turntable at the moment, and two of the decks I have in mind, use SME M2-9's. I've not heard great things about the M2, hence why I'm trying to ascertain wether or not its a total dog, as the I really don't fancy having to change arms.

Basically, if I get a new turntable, I'll have a budget of £1500-£2000 (used/ex-dem) to spunk, so its going to be something very nice indeed

What are you currently thinking of, I figure the Musical Fidelity turntable might be in there, but what else?

Originally Posted by dynamic turtle

That's if I decide to buy a turntable. Also looking at wrath-of-God sacd players and speakers too. Fancy treating myself. Again

Maybe I should start a "help me spunk £2k" thread?!

Rgds,
DT

My advice would be to go for the vinyl front end, SACD cannot deliver this level of sound quality with media which costs a pound or two from a local charity shop.

What speakers do you currently use? Also what cartridge and phono stage are you using, as these can make a profound difference to the overall sound you get from vinyl.

Best wishes,

Dave

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by analogueaddict

Hi,

What speakers do you currently use? Also what cartridge and phono stage are you using, as these can make a profound difference to the overall sound you get from vinyl.

Best wishes,

Dave

I totally agree with this....one of the most difficult choices I had to make when upgrading my system for LPs was that of choosing a cartridge and phono stage,and it honestly took ages to do so,with the problems of getting all the items home,wiring them up etc and trying them,plus the obvious one of not being able to actually try a cartridge before buying it,other than in a demo system.

My actual choice came after trying phono stages from MF,Tom Evans,Trichord etc,and listening to several others,plus a wide range of cartridges,but I can only echo the sentiments above by saying that the differences between these various front ends were vast,and very clearly audible.

I would add that the eventual cartridge choice was about twice what I'd originally intended to pay,but worth every penny.

[analogueaddict]

Hi Alex,

Originally Posted by alexs2

My actual choice came after trying phono stages from MF,Tom Evans,Trichord etc,and listening to several others,plus a wide range of cartridges,but I can only echo the sentiments above by saying that the differences between these various front ends were vast,and very clearly audible.

I would add that the eventual cartridge choice was about twice what I'd originally intended to pay,but worth every penny.

I see you went for the Argo, a fabulous cartridge for the money and the backup from both Symmetry and Lyra is first class all the way. I'm lusting after a Titan i myself.

Reading your equipment list I can't see the phono stage mentioned, which one did you eventually go for?

Best wishes,

Dave

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by analogueaddict

Hi Alex,



I see you went for the Argo, a fabulous cartridge for the money and the backup from both Symmetry and Lyra is first class all the way. I'm lusting after a Titan i myself.

Reading your equipment list I can't see the phono stage mentioned, which one did you eventually go for?

Best wishes,

Dave

I actually went for a Trichord Dino with the NC PSU in the end after trying enough of them to make me confused!

I liked the presentation of the Dino,plus the adjustability and really didnt get on with the Tom Evans phono stages at all,but thats obviouslyjust a personal thing....the Dino goes very well with the Argo,but really does need the NC PSU.

[christal]

Hi

I've got two SME M2-9s mounted on my AVID Diva and I am totally happy with them. They replace an Origin/Michell modified Rega and they wipe the floor with it - especially in the upper and lower registers. I am running a Koetsu Onyx Anniversary (needs an extra heavy c/weight which SME don't do as standard but they tweaked a weight from the M2-12 for me) and a Sumiko Blackbird. As far as I am concerned they both sound great in these arms and I am sure that I would have to spend considerably more to get better results. Also their build quality makes other arms look shabby.