SME IV Damping

Posted by: john s on 08 January 2017

Finally finished adjusting my new SME IV on my Gyrodec - after playing around with the VTA for too long I splashed out on the VTA/Damper kit and that made things much easier. Plug for SME - had a problem fitting the kit as one of the holes on the SME wasn't properly threaded and I thought it might all have to go back, but after talking to the SME service department they loaned the correct size tap (very quickly) and I managed to clear the thread without any problems. Their customer care really is good.

So, I have the damper facility but should I use it? Opinions seem wildly different e.g. all cartridges need damping, some need damping through to don't ever damp a cartridge. Has anyone used damping on a Gyrodec/SME IV setup? And if so what were your thoughts? (Cartridge at present is Dynavector DV-10X5).

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by Pete Lewthwaite

I have an SME V on my Gyrodec which comes with the damping kit and, I agree makes setup much easier. My experience is that, although the results seem to vary by cartridge the best results are generally obtained with little or no damping. The Ortofon MC3000 and MC Jubilee did sound a little fuller and sweeter with a small amount of damping, while the Koetsu Red did not like any damping at all - it just sounded a bit muddled. I currently have an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze which performs well without damping. This is of course how it sounded to my ears, your experience may differ.

Unfortunately I have no experience with your particular cartridge. The damping is very easy to adjust once you have the silicone in the well so try inserting the fluid then gradually lower the paddle until the sound starts to go off and reset to the level which sounds best to you.

Any way I have had this turntable and arm for about 30 years now so I think I like it and I hope you get as much musical pleasure from your system as I have had.

Pete L.

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by Richard Dane

I have an SME IV, currently fitted to a Luxman, and was told that the damper kit was really only useful for the easy setting of VTA, i.e. using the damping trough wasn't really necessary in the majority of cases.

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by james n

Richard Dane posted:
I have an SME IV, currently fitted to a Luxman, and was told that the damper kit was really only useful for the easy setting of VTA, i.e. using the damping trough wasn't really necessary in the majority of cases.

Is that one of the old vacuum platter versions Richard ? Any pictures ?

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by Richard Dane

Yes james, its a PD300. No pics until I can get my proper Internet back. A car crash last night took out the pylons up the road which had our power and phono line on them. Jenny is all set up for power but could be a week or two until the poles are replaced and the phono lines restored. I now rely on very poor marginal 3G if I can find a good spot upstairs...

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by john s

I think I'll go carefully then, as setting the VTA by ear has produced a good result. Pete - thanks for the tip, and the info re cartridges, as my next step is to demo some phono amp/cartridge combinations so you've given me ideas.

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by james n

Richard Dane posted:
Yes james, its a PD300. No pics until I can get my proper Internet back. A car crash last night took out the pylons up the road which had our power and phono line on them. Jenny is all set up for power but could be a week or two until the poles are replaced and the phono lines restored. I now rely on very poor marginal 3G if I can find a good spot upstairs...

Sorry to hear that Richard. Hope it's fixed soon. Ah the PD300 - very nice cool