SME 1V

Posted by: Mick P on 08 January 2003

Chaps

I have a Garrard 401 in a Loricraft plinth.

I have been offered an 18 month old SME1V with some special cable (Van dul somrthing or other) in mint condition for £600.00

Two quick questions

Is it worth it

Will I get much of an improvement over my current RB300.

Many thanks

Mick

Posted on: 08 January 2003 by JosephR

Well, it is a bit expensive, that's almost the price of new here in Singapore ...

Anyway, in my experience ,the SME IV undoubtedly is significantly better than the Origin Live RB-300 rewired with Moth Incognito wire ... the biggest difference is in the amount of detail extracted from the grooves by the SME IV, you'll hear a lot you've never heard when using the Rega ... bass is also more articulate ...

Posted on: 08 January 2003 by Laurie Saunders

Mick..the SMEIV is a significant upgrade on an RB300. I went from an RB300 to an SMEV..... the improvement was vast....I only paid £700 for it S/H.

The great thing abot SME is the customer support...its in the same class as Naim.

I would buy it!

Laurie S

Posted on: 08 January 2003 by Stuart Frazer

Mick

Let me know how you get on with the SME IV if you go for it.

Regards

Stuart

Posted on: 09 January 2003 by audiogoose

Hello to all. This is my first post. I have only recently been following some of the topics here, since I am considering returning to the Naim line of components after a flirtation with tube equipment.
After reading some of the comments on this topic yesterday, I decided to register so I could give another opinion on SME tonearms.
I have a restored Garrard 301 table mounted in a homemade plinth with a slate top plate and SME V tonearm with a Benz Micro Ruby 2 cartridge. I find the V to be very musical with terrific low end extension and tautness. I don't have experience with Rega arms, so I can't give a comparison there, but I have had a Linn with an Ekos arm and Troika. The setup I have now has comparable PRAT to me, and I haven't felt a loss of involvement in the music.
I would suggest trying the SME IV with your 401, especially if you get it at a good price used. If you don't like it, you should be able to recoup your investment on ebay, or the like.
Just my 2 cents worth.