SME arm question

[JensenHealey]

Not sure if this is the right forum - could be moved if not.

So...looking at SME arms. I see from various pictures that sometimes the base mounting is aligned toward the record centre. And otherwise sometimes sitting parallel to the side of the plinth.

Is one more correct than the other? or does it not matter?

 

[Tony L]

Aligned towards the centre spindle is better/recommend as it gives more available pivot to spindle movement on the sliding base, but some turntables just don’t have the space for it. Either way is fine as long as you have the alignment range you actually need. In reality most cartridges mounting lugs to stylus tip is within 2 or 3 mm, though there are a few oddities, plus some folk seem to like aligning old Stevenson SMEs with Baerwald, which obviously shifts things out a bit. Basically more = better, but don’t worry as long as you can actually align the cart you want.

 

[JensenHealey]

I was not thinking of butchering my unmolested TD145 Mk II!