SME iV.Vi or SME V for SME 20 turntable?


Hi all,
Could anyone please tell me which arm is prefered for the SME 20/2 turntable? What are the major differences between these tonearms? SME official website says that the SME 20/2A includes the V tonearm (for better compatibility?) BUT people at Sumiko say the iV.Vi is prefered, so i am a little confused. It would be great to hear from SME combo users themselves
Also, anyone bought the combo SME 20/2 and iV.Vi arm can tell me if this one comes complete with tonearm cable or it has to be bought seperately? If the cable doesnt come with it, any recommendation on tonearm cable for the iV.Vi?

Greatly appreciate.
jaytea

Showing 5 responses by jaytea

Hi all,
Thank you so much for all the info. After careful consideration, I have chosen an SME 20/2 Table and a SME IV.Vi tonearm to replace my though-to-be-final setup: Avid Acutus & Origin Live Conqueror & Koetsu Urushi. My philosophy for hi-end now is that you have to spend a lot more for the last 10-15% of improvement, AND there is NO perfection ! Each and every hi-end tables i own has limitation/problem in its design, so i dont want to spend too much anymore. Just wanna get a good setup and enjoy the music. I have wasted too much time and money.
For those who wanna know, the SME IV.Vi now shipped with the damping trough mechanism included but not VTA adjustment as some noted in the V. That is OK with me because i just want to set and forget..i dont want to tweak VTA for every type of records i use. Plus, if you watch MF 's turntable setup DVD, he said in order to make a different in VTA, the base of the arm has to raise up to 3mm for 1 degree in VTA change..so i guess it doesn effect the VTA much going from 180gr to 200gr records.
The IV.Vi from Sumiko audio DOES have VTA adjustment feature added on (literally) the damping trough, via a threaded VTA screw.
Nsgarch: Thanks so much for the info..and the correction :) Does anyone know what kind of headshell leads the IV.Vi uses? Are they the same as the ones(VdH Silver Litz) used in the V or different?
Thanks again
Nsgarch: I almost bought the Cardas leads last night from Music Direct, they are around $120/set of 4 i think. Since i wasnt sure if it would fit the SME, would it??? Did you try them? Are they any better from the vdH ? Do you know any place i can get it cheaper? Thanks
Please let me know how you like the $116 one...they look kinda bulky, so i'm not sure if it will fit. Do you know what kinda conductor they use in the Cardas?