Goldring 1042 / SME III problems

mrw00ds · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject: Goldring 1042 / SME III problems

I'm a little dissatisfied with the sound from this combination....basically good, but a bit glassy, piano sound a bit clattery, and soprano voices seem to cause some mistracking. I'm new here, and have read other forum users' qualms about using the 1042 in an SME III. I'm thinking of a Rega RB 251, although a friend is bringing round his AR Legend with Linn Basik arm, for me to try cos he's thinking of selling it.

I've tried every VTA, bias, damping paddle and tracking weight option, but to no avail.

Any suggestions, please?

(The deck is a Thorens TD 160 Mk II B, by the way)

dominic harper · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject:

Hi, the 1042 is not a good mach for the series 111 arm, it does not have enough mass. The rega would be a better option. You could experiment by adding a small amount of mass to the headshell, use some blutac, adding small amounts at a time and seeing how this affects the sound. just dont forget to re-set tracking force each time you add mass. Regards, dom.

mrw00ds · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:57 am Post subject:

Dom,
after rummaging around in a old biscuit tin full of cartridge bits and bolts and stuff I found a couple of SME III headshell spacers, quite heavy. Must be from when I first had this arm many many years ago. Now I've fitted them, adjusted the VTA and re-balanced the arm the 1042 definitely sounds better, more comfortable, less edgy, less like a badly set up Decca London, in fact!
There's still a little bit of mistracking at extremes, but this will do me until I decide what to do about the Rega 251 / Linn Basik options.

Lesson learned here? Don't just go for an arm just cos it looks sexy!

Thanks

Rob

dominic harper · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject:

Hi mrw00ds, glad my advice was usefull. The series 111 is an extremely low mass arm designed for super track shures and other high compliance carts of its day. The 1042 really needs a massier arm to get the best out of it. Personaly i have not used the series 111 but have plenty of experience with series 11 arms. Im in the process of developing some mods to these arms to make them more user friendly with modern carts. Regards, Dom.