SME Series 309

Unique pressure die-cast magnesium shell detachable and interchangeable without disturbing cartridge or wiring. New design clamping arrangement ensures rigid junction with tone-arm. Stainless steel cross shaft, ground and thread ground. Carried in massive yoke on 10mm precision ball races. Axis at record mean level to minimise warp-wow. Unique assembly gives high rigidity and allows bearings to be critically adjusted before tone-arm is fitted. Stainless steel vertical shaft, ground and thread ground, with integral 16mm diameter flange to couple shaft and yoke. 23mm diameter steel pillar, heat treated, ground and honed, carries two 17mm precision ball races, widely spaced to resist tilt. Internal wiring in silver litz.

Internal constrained layer damps minute residual vibrations making tone-arm acoustically inert. Tungsten-alloy balance weight carried on damped two-point suspension. Extra-low inertia design assists warp riding. Underslung weight housing corrects centre of gravity and provides non reflective tone-arm termination. Swivelling, damped output socket minimises vibration transmission in sub-chassis use.

Anti-skate control operates through tension spring and filament. Dial corresponds with VTF and has positive OFF position. Lowering/raising control gives smooth positive action. Height of lift can be adjusted. Dual-lock base provides movement control with high rigidity. Reference lines on tone-arm facilitate VTA setting. Fine adjustment of horizontal tracking angle (HTA).