SME tonearms on a japanese market

@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".

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

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

@noromance 

Yes, exactly what I was looking at, thank you! The one doubt I have with this model is the knife- edge bearing, may be just because I don't know how this works exactly. Would you say it's an empty concern of mine? :)