Hi Everyone. I just picked up an old JVC turntable model QL-50 with an SME arm mounted in it. I'm not sure which model the arm is. It has a little weight that hangs on a string and a little trough of some fluid that a little protrusion moves through. It's shaped like an S. Does anyone know if their is a specific place on it to look for the model # ? Also, their is no cartridge mounted in the headshell. The table seems to hold speed perfectly. It's very heavy and seems to be very well made. At $ 50.00 it seemed like a good buy. The dust cover is a little cloudy & scratched, but I,m going to try fixing it as per the sticky. And the rubber mat over the platter is cracked and dried out. I took it off and it's fairly heavy. Otherwise, it looks perfect. Can anyone suggest a place to find a new good mat? I believe this unit is from the 70's, which matches the rest of my equipment. Does anyone have an idea of what might be a good cartridge to go with this unit. I haven't used a tt in 20 years, but would like to start again. I listen to a lot of jazz & jazz fusion and classical music and also a lot of classic rock. My speakers are AR-9 (the originals - not the later remakes) I'd be using the phono preamp in my Hafler DH-101. I would probably want to keep the cost of the cartridge in the $300.00 area. Thanks in advance for your help, Bob

The QL-50 is a nifty table- I have one too.

And the arm is most likely the SME 3009 II improved. I have this arm too.

$50 was a steal- the tables usually sell for twice that, and the arm between $300-$400.

As for the mat, an aftermarket Herbie's could work well. And that's a nice budget for a cart. Does the hafler have MC capabilities? If so, a Denon LOMC cart could be nice. Or perhaps the AT 120 MM type.

That trough is an add-on fluid damper- that can sell for $100-150 too. KAB USA sells fluid for their Technics tone arm- this should work with the SME fluid damper.

Check vinylengine.com for manuals for both the SME and the QL-50.

And the arm is most likely the SME 3009 II improved. I have this arm too.
steal- the tables usually sell for twice that, and the arm between $300-$400.

Hmm, not if it really is S-shaped. If this is the case it'll be a Series III - the arm that SME all but deny ever making! :D

Piccies 'n' manuals 'n' stuff here -http://www.vinylengine.com/library/sme/series-iii.shtml

Not a bad performer, but does need a high compliance cartridge.

just make a mat out of cork. You can probably find it at a craft type store. then just cut it to size, should work really well.

Check KAB for a heavy Technics SL1200 TT mat, around $20 and probably close to the original JVC mat. Another option for a heavy TT mat is a vintage Platter Matter which was rebranded but the same basic mat.

I dunno if the KAB mat will fit proper- it's got a funky lip on the Technics platter that needs to be compensated for.

I'm not sure- just something to consider.

Hi Everyone. Just got home and was checking out all the helpful info posted here. I looked at the arm and it says on it Shure SME Series III. The fluid in that trough is probably very old. Do you just wipe it out and replace it. I'm going to download the intructions on it at The VinylEngine. The Hafler is not set up as it came for a MC cartridge and would either require a high output type, or a separate pre-preamp. I believe they made one to fit inside (DH-102) but I havent been able to find one for sale. The Herbies mats look pretty nice. Does anyone know the proper thickness I should get. I was thinking the 3.7mm. I figured that for $50.00, I couln't go wrong getting both the TT and arm. Thanks for the info.

I dunno if the KAB mat will fit proper- it's got a funky lip on the Technics platter that needs to be compensated for.

I'm not sure- just something to consider.
i have one of those heavy Technics mats on a JVC QL-7, which should be fairly similar, and it fits perfectly.

i have one of those heavy Technics mats on a JVC QL-7, which should be fairly similar, and it fits perfectly.

I have the same TT (except the QL-A7) and also need a new mat. I remember that thedelihaus said the JVC mats were crap and to chuck it. They are a little low on the quality scale and the one I have would cause "static cling". When I took the LP off of the platter, you could hear the static crackle. I checked out the KABUSA site and saw the Technic platter mats are both Super 1/4" and Super 1/8". I'm assuming that the 1/4" one is the one you're using?

I have the same TT (except the QL-A7) and also need a new mat. I remember that thedelihaus said the JVC mats were crap and to chuck it. They are a little low on the quality scale and the one I have would cause "static cling". When I took the LP off of the platter, you could hear the static crackle. I checked out the KABUSA site and saw the Technic platter mats are both Super 1/4" and Super 1/8". I'm assuming that the 1/4" one is the one you're using?
Yes, the 1/4" is the one. Definitely an improvement over the stock mat. i have it so the smooth side of the mat faces up, which Kevin at KAB recommends.

i recently bought a 1/8" sheet of cork, cut it to size, and put it on top of the Technics mat, which made things even better. The heavy Technics mat is better for damping the platter, so i've got both mats on. Luckily, the arm has enough room for VTA adjustment.

Leave the silicon fluid in the trough unless you have more fluid to replace it. Its hard to clear out, and then you have to refill it.
The SME Series III is a wonderfully ergonomic arm that unfortunately came out right when the high end turned against high compliance cartridges and went big time for moving coils and more massy rigid arms. But it can be used happily with moderate compliance cartridges, and there are still plenty of people using Shures and Stantons and Pickerings that have high compliances. And with auxilliary weights or moving the counterweight you can actually accomodate most lower compliance cartridges fairly well.
I regret selling mine with a turntable many years ago.

I was at a local dealer and mentioned the SME III arm I have. He said he has one mounted in a Thorens TT. He set it up in one of his listening rooms for me to listen to and I have to say the sound was excellent. The cartridge he had in it was an Audio Technica AT-150 MLX and after listening to this setup, I was thinking that I might look to purchase that cartridge for this arm. I listened to both CD's and records and after over 2.5 hours never stopped enjoying his setup. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this combo. When I say I listened to both records and CD's, I listened to records with this arm / cartridge combo & cd's of the same music to see how different they sound on a good system. The records seem to sound fuller and warmer with more natural ambience and better stability in the location of different instrments. but the CD's sound crispier or a bit brighter and more in your face. The same music sounds quite different on each. I think if I was just sitting in the perfect spot and listening to music, I'd rather the LP, but when moving around a lot and not just listening, the CD would be more convenient. So I guess I'll still also be looking for a good CD player. Also, a lot of newer music is only available on CD. Hoping to get some recommendations for used ones to look out for. The last time I listened to an LP was over 20 years ago, so I actually have no point of reference other than what I heard at this dealer's showroom. This cartridge was the one he recommended in the $300-$350 price range I mentioned to him and he was able to allow me to hear it in the same SME III arm. He said that his arm is not stock but has better wiring - not sure how much difference that makes. He offers the rewiing for $300 but I don't think I'm going to spend almost as much on new wiring as on the cartridge. Maybe some day I'll learn how to do it myself. I was just wondering if anyone has an opinion on this cartridge for use on this arm. I see that many other members give high praise to this cartridge. Thanks,Bob