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SME 309 or SME 3009r?

I have both arms. My turntable is an Avid Sequel. My cartridge is a Benz LP. I want to rewire one of the arms, but don't know which would sound best. I currently have the 309 on the table so I know how that one performs. I've had the 3009r for quite sometime just sitting on a shelf. It's in terrific shape and the person who gave it to me, and has since passed away, thought it would outperform the 309. Does anyone have an informed opinion? Thanks.

128x128neptune123
pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

the SME I trialled was one of the first on the market, and its performance was not top tier for the great uneducated & specification oriented on this thread. I dare say the improvements wrought by the changes to later production must have been significant.

I just read a 6moons review which sums up my views in a nutshell 

For me this arm is two chopsticks short of a noodle. It’s an ox and it plods

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,805 posts
 

@pesky_wabbit

What arm are you using?

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

Among others, Townshend Excalibur, Linn Ekos and Jelco 750D with upgraded wiring and headshells when I feel like playing with cartridges

I’ve also got a Japanese broadcast arm of unknown pedigree which mates rather nicely with a VDH Denon 103

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dekay's avatar
dekay
5,697 posts
 

Dover:

The effective mass of my SME 3009II (non-improved/detachable head shell) is 12.5 grams.

The effective mass of the 3009R is 12.7 grams.

There were numerous versions of the SME 3000 series leading up to the "R" series.

I would post a history, from memory, but I'm having computer problems (already lost 2 drafts).

 

DeKay

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