SME is leaving the OEM and aftermarket/retail tonearm business.

I was an SME dealer for quite awhile. Loved their arms, but alas, they are going to only be available on their own tables:

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/sme-exits-oem-and-retail-tone-arm-business

mofimadness12-05-2019 4:31am

audiotroy Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,756 posts 12-05-2019 at 11:02am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete No loss the Graham and Triplanner arms are far better. Used to own. Sme switched to the above way better. Also Kuzma 4 point another far superior ref arm. Today there are also way better tables as well. Dave and Troy Audio Doctor NJ
mofimadness OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,976 posts 12-05-2019 at 03:14pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete While I agree that there are better arms "now" available, IMHO, without SME, our current state of the art in tonearms would be much different. SME has been around since 1959 and has advanced the tonearm design quite a bit in that time. I bet if you ask some tonearm designers where they learned about the trade, they will say from SME.
chakster Details Discussions Posts This discussion 6,144 posts 12-05-2019 at 03:18pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Every SME tonearm can be found on second hand market for much better price than new from the dealers, they made so many of them and i think there are many left for buyers. Shouldn't be a problem at all to find and buy just the arm without turntable.