IV

About the IV

The SME IV tonearm is a high-end, stereo gimbal bearing tonearm designed for audiophiles seeking uncompromising performance. It is a simplified version of the legendary SME Series V, utilizing copper wiring instead of silver and featuring streamlined adjustment mechanisms. The arm is constructed from a unique one-piece pressure die-cast magnesium tube, which replaces conventional fabricated construction and provides superior rigidity and damping. Internal constrained layer damping minimizes residual vibration, making the arm acoustically inert. The cartridge platform is finely machined and enamel-free to avoid interface resonance. The arm features a stainless steel cross shaft carried in a massive yoke on high-precision ball races, with the axis at record mean level to minimize warp-wow. The vertical shaft is also stainless steel, ground and thread ground, with an integral flange for coupling. The arm pillar is a 23mm diameter steel component, heat treated and honed, carrying widely spaced ball races to resist tilt. Anti-skate control is provided via a tension spring and filament, with a dial corresponding to vertical tracking force (VTF) and a positive OFF position. The lowering/raising control is smooth and positive, with adjustable lift height. The dual-lock base ensures high rigidity and movement control. The tungsten-alloy balance weight is carried on a damped two-point suspension for extra-low inertia, aiding warp riding. The output socket is swiveling and damped to minimize vibration transmission. Reference lines on the arm facilitate VTA (vertical tracking angle) setting, and fine adjustment of horizontal tracking angle (HTA) is possible. The arm is supplied with a new design alignment protractor for accurate HTA setup.