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

@lohanimal 

Idiot. You must be very young.  If you are I will forgive you.

Vinyl has been fashionable since about 1955.

But you are absolutely correct about today's stupid blingy $000,000 turntables.

@clearthinker 

Thanks - you must be old grandad 🤣

I am talking about market share and fashion... In the 90's the high street rid its stores of vinyl and you had to go to places like reckless records to buy vinyl.

I think in the last 10 years (can't say the year) the sale of vinyl in the UK outstripped CD. That has been driven by market tastes (fashion)

Vinyl was previously the only widespread access to music (yes reel to reel is superb - but neither easy to store nor affordable) CD changed that