Review Extract
"Subjectively the Series IV is unquestionably a state of
the art device, to use the jargon phrase, with an almost uncanny
ability to separate out all the various goings-on-musical strands,
textures, ambience details, etc. in a quality recording. I have
owned and used a number of high quality pick-up arms over the years
but none has provided me with this kind of resolution. Sceptics
might question the degree to which such enthusiasm might be put
down to infatuation with the product itself, for it is well known
that in terms of finish alone, SME have no peers. But whilst owning
to a deep admiration for the aesthetics of this product, I would
still insist that the kind of subtle detail that it can convey,
given appropriately chosen ancillary equipment, provides a degree
of involvement with what is going on in a score which, with an analogue
system, I have only experienced to a comparable extent when listening
to master tapes under studio conditions. From a rock-solid bass
to the most delicate cymbal 'zing' at the top end, the IV gives
the impression of being totally neutral, seemingly adding no coloration
of its own. Dynamic contrasts, too, are revealed to a frequently
revelatory extent, where with less able designs everything is held
within a more constrained envelope. And last but not least, record
surface noise, the bane of so many people's hi-fi lives, is considerably
less intrusive believe it or not!"- Gramaphone 87
Features
- Unique one-piece pressure die-cast tone-arm utilising the advantages
of magnesium, replaces conventional fabricated construction.
- Internal constrained layer damps minute residual vibration
leaving the tone-arm acoustically inert.
- Fine machined cartridge platform, enamel free to avoid interface
resonance.
- Stainless steel cross shaft, ground and thread ground. Carried
in massive yoke on 10mm ABEC 3 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 ABEC 7 ball races, widely spaced to resist tilt.
- Anti-skate control operates through tension spring and filarnent.
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.
- 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. Adjustment leadscrew journalled
in twin ball races with lever clamping.
- Swivelling damped output socket minimises vibration transmission
in sub-chassis use.
- Reference lines on tone-arm facilitate VTA setting.
- Fine adjustment of horizontal tracking angle (HTA)
- New design alignment protractor sets HTA with great accuracy.
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