@noromance 

Its a guy called Ajay Babauro shirke. I spoke to a someone who was a former UK importer who knows him. He also has a hand in Spendor. 

he change might be required, as tying individuals into the Brands TT's > Tonearms as the means to purchase, is possibly not producing interest or sales to the same degree as offering items as individual pieces.

Relying on a Pre-Internet reputation where the media was used to secure a Market Comfort Zone, does not wash today, the general enthusiasts for using a Vinyl LP Source are much more tuned in to their overall options and where Value For Money is to be found.

They have managed to keep old namesakes, that are known for being instrumental, for the producing of the Brands most successful models offered by the Company, away from the the Labels used to name the most recent announced models on offer.

Maybe nostalgia as a weapon is blunting, and is not part of the attack plan for improving the Companies position in today's markets.

Yup agree SME is now overpriced but hey this is hi-end audio and many brands are IMHO.

If the new 3009 and 3012 were the R version I might consider getting one because used they are extortionate.

since vinyl became fashionable circa 2007 Hifi - mid/high end has become ludicrously expensive. There is no logic to it either. In the past there was the odd outlier such as Goldmund Reference and Rockport but they were also scintillating products. Now every boutique product wants to occupy that space and few genuinely justify it