2. analog
  3. 1189579214

SME 20/2 & Graham Phantom issue

Hi guys
I'm having an issue trying to setup the Graham's Phantom on the SME 20/2 (in place of the SME IV.Vi ): I cannot position the Phantom straight forward as suggested in the manual (due to the fact that the VTF adjustment knob of the Phantom does not have enough clearance (it touches the rear right post of the SME20 turntable). Did anyone have this problem when setting up your combo? I am wondering if i have to swing the arm rest inwards closer the platter, will it effect the accuracy of the arm's anti-skating mechanism?

The reason i asked is that with SME arms, it is crucial that the arm is placed in a particular position so that the edge of the headshell is about 53mm from the edge of the platter in order for its anti-skating to work correctly, and in this position, the arm-rest is not pointing forward.

Would this be the case with Graham's Phantom too? Would the anti-skating mechanism NOT work correctly if the arm is not pointing straight forward in its arm rest???

Thank you.
Jay
jaytea

Showing 2 responses by jaytea

jaytea OP
78 posts
 
Rlawry
Thank you so so much for the photos earlier..you are too kind. Seems like your Phantom has a different "SME" mount...or is that what they called Graham's "CUSTOM" mount : custom-made for SME (or any other mounting profiles).

When i ordered my Phantom, i specified that i would mount it on a SME 20/2 turntable. So they shipped the arm with an SME mount..but this mount is nothing like yours...it has four elongate holes which allow you to slide the whole thing back and forth to position the arm correctly (similar to regular SME mount, but instead of dead-bolted the base and let the whole arm assembly moving back and forth, in this case you move the WHOLE thing -arm and base- back and forth). Is this the type you originally had?

The Graham "custom" mount you mentioned and showed on your pictures is stationary, right? by that i meant you just screw it down on to the table, and no need to do anything further to position the arm correctly? If this is the case, i'd say it makes much more sense, easier to set up , and more rigid.

I wonder why they didnt ship this with my Phantom..Or is it BECAUSE i said SME??? either way, they should just simplify this and send a "custom" arm base for SME...so we users can skip the step of positioning the arm...this would save time, cost, and avoid errors!
jaytea OP
78 posts
 
RLawry:
I guess i'm gonna just keep this mount..it took me 8 months waiting for the arm, and i dont want to send it back it for modification. Bob Graham says the Phantom is supposed to be poisitioned like SME arms on SME table..so i guess it's OK.
Did you notice the change it makes when you play around with the fluid damping? It makes so much difference ! I ended up with the fluid just pass the bottom of the square shank. More than that, the arm sounded too damped.
Great arm ! It makes my Koetsu Urushi sound full, warm like analog tape, great focus as well. I cant wait to get another arm wand next week to mount my Lyra Helikon on !
More to discover