2. analog
  3. 187269-17878

SME tonearms on a japanese market

Good day! With a plan to add another tonearm to have a backup for my Sumiko tonearm I recently did browse the ebay and realized there is a big selection of SME tonearms mostly 3009 in the range of 400-500$, and even IV and V under 2600$. Is there any polytical connotation in the fact or I just have not been there for a while (which is very true)? I was considering between Jelco and SME but now I am so very positive about the latter. Thanks for the feedback

 

anatoliy
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 

What are you trying to accomplish, or are you just trying out arms

Post removed 
anatoliy OP
16 posts
 

@stringreen

Looking for another arm to buy. $1500 range. For me aesthetics is important. Yes, I agree, may not be a very justified or smart attitude. For the reason I don’t find SME 4 or 5 appealing because of the looks. They are excellent arms, I heard quite of a few very high opinions from elders of the tribe, just not the looks. I like more "classical" style, so I looked over SME 3009 and saw a deversity with the price a bit below what I thought I should see. At least thouse I saw on ebay from sellers located in Japan. Certainly I should probably consider this fact as an indication of the number of SME’s sold to Japan back then, which may be more of a "pro" rather than a "con".

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

I don't see why a Tonearm from either of the Brands suggested  bought as a used item from Japanese Vendor should be any worse than any other Vendor from any Country.

My experience in researching Vintage Analogue ancillaries in Japan is that for $1000ish, a TT can be bought with possibly 2x TA's  mounted from the SME Brand.

Always allow for Shipping and Import Fees to the sale prices seen

 

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,820 posts
 

You mentioned Jelco. If you can find a now discontinued Jelco TK-850S (9"),  you  should consider it. Beats the SME in sound quality. 

More to discover