[rustneversleeps]

I've found that I can learn more than just AVA in this forum, so I decided to give this one a try.

I've recently acquired a SME series III tonearm and don't have a turntable for it, most newer tables nowadays come with their own tonearms, so the manufacturers can set a "package price", that makes getting a turntable without arm not very cost effective.

Which turntable I should look for to mount this arm? I don't want to get a Thorens 125, since I've already have one. Years ago, Frank mentioned that AR and LINN were no good (unshielded motor), so I won't consider them.

Now about the SME III tonearm, I think I grabbed this one too fast without knowing a whole lot about it because of the good price, so what should I look out for about this arm? I've heard that setting it up is a real pain, is this true?

[martyo]

I had one in the late '70's and don't remember it being to difficult to set up, but maybe I set it up wrong. "mark funk" on this circle might be able to help you. (before you ask, it was mounted on a Kenwood KD-500 w/ a concrete resin base, direct-drive, and as Harry Pierson would say "totally unacceptable".)

[WEEZ]

There are plenty of 'tables that could be drilled to accept the SME....depends on your budget. As for shielded motors, that would affect the cartridge moreso than the arm....

WEEZ

[martyo]

Rusty, what became of your SME III project?

[mark funk]

I would hope he would dump that piece of ---- and get a good arm, I have one and it's sitting in my junk pile along with that Kenwood KD500 table!

[HAL]

If you do not want the SME III arm, I will give it a good home! 

[mark funk]

HAL, I PM you about the SME