[New Product] Ortofon Releases SME-Compatible Slide Arm Base 'TA-Base/SME'

Ortofon Japan has announced the release of the “TA-Base/SME” slide arm base in December 2025. The price is ¥38,500 (tax included).

Product Overview

The TA-Base/SME is an adapter product that enables the installation of Ortofon tonearms on analog turntables equipped with SME (The Scale Model Equipment Company) tonearm mounting holes.

Development Background

According to Ortofon, SME tonearms enjoy enduring popularity due to their elegant design and tonal characteristics, with many users combining them with Ortofon cartridges. However, most SME arms are limited to effective masses around 30g, making them challenging to pair with heavy cartridges such as the SPU series.

This product provides turntable owners with SME mounting holes the option of using Ortofon tonearms suitable for heavy cartridges.

Key Features

Extended Slide Adjustment Range

The slide mechanism offers an expanded travel range compared to genuine SME bases, providing ±22.5mm of adjustment. This enables generous overhang adjustment to accommodate various cartridge combinations.

Two Arm Shaft Diameters Supported

The flange section that secures the center shaft features a removable design. By swapping the ring-shaped component, the base accommodates both 18mm and 20mm arm shaft diameters. This not only allows mounting of most Ortofon tonearms but also enables use of third-party tonearms with matching center shaft diameters.

Compatible Tonearms

The base is compatible with most Ortofon tonearms, with the following models excluded due to shaft diameter constraints:

• RS-212D
• RS-309D
• RSG-309

Key Specifications

References / Sources

• PHILE WEB: https://www.phileweb.com/news/audio/202512/22/27192.html
• Ortofon Japan Product Page: https://ortofon.jp/product/9/245