The Series 300 broadens the application of SME technology. A one piece magnesium tone arm, available as Model 309.
Series 300
The detachable magnesium headshell has a new style coupling, providing the convenience of rapid cartridge interchange without loss of rigidity.
Our designers can be justly proud of these models which offer a performance and manufacturing excellence unmatched by many more expensive models.
| Series 300 Dimensions | Model 309 | |
|---|---|---|
| A – Distance from pivot to stylus | 232.32mm | |
| B – Distance from pivot to turntable centre | 215.35mm | |
| C – Cartridge fixing centres | 12.70mm | |
| D – Offset angle | 23.204° | |
| E – Linear offset | 91.54mm | |
| F – Overhang | 16.98mm | |
| G – Height above mounting surface | 87.90mm max 56.40mm min |
|
| H – Height of record surface above mounting surface | 55.90mm max 24.40mm min |
|
| J – Depth below mounting surface | 56.75mm | |
| K – Radial clearance for balance weight | 73.0mm | |
| L – Clearance between cabinet lid and record surface, assuming cartridge height at 17.0mm | 37.0mm |
Additional Information
Build
- 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.
Damping
- 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.
Adjustments
- 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).
Specification
| Series 300 Specifications | Series 309 | |
|---|---|---|
| Effective mass | 9.5g | |
| Cartridge balance | 6 – 17g | |
| Vertical tracking force | 0 – 2.5g | |
| Maximum tracking error | 0.013°/mm | |
| Net weight | 717.0g | |
| Pivot-stylus distance | 232.2mm | |
| Pivot-sindle centre distance | 213.4mm | |
| Audio lead | 1.2m |