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SME III Tonearm: Classic or Dinosaur?

At 14, I killed myself delivering papers and mowing lawns to buy my first Hafler amps and Magneplanar MG-1b's and I lucked into a deal on an SME III tonearm on a Kenwood KD-500 with a Grado Signature cartridge. I thought the SME was the most exotic piece of gear in the world with its fluid dampening system and pulley mounted anti skating (?) device, and with fond memories was very excited to see one for sale recently. Does anyone know how this arm might compare with tonearms of today, especially the newer SME's? Could this work reasonably well or am I just being sentimental?
cwlondon
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
The evolution of the SME arms were more feature oriented than anything, the series 4 and 5 borrowed heavily from the III's original design. I'd have to say the series 5 was a clear step up from the III, but, the III remains a terrific arm and assuming the price is reasonable I wouldn't hesitate to install this classic. Interestingly enough my favourite arm in terms of perfomance, features, ease of use, and value is the SME345 marketed at one time by Oracle. Jeff
tom_nice
387 posts
 
SME took a wrong turn AFTER the III, in the (original) IV: the idea was to track at the lowest possible grams, less than 1, and this didn't suit MC cartridges at all. Bearing chatter was a problem with the IV, and no one wants that model anymore. But the III is back in favor, and I agree with Jeff that you shouldn't hesitate if you get a chance to get one for a decent price.
kr4ef94
208 posts
 
The III was the one designed for lowest mass and lowest traking force, not the IV. OTOH, it used with the very high compliance, very low mass cartridges that IT WAS DESIGNED FOR (and not most MC designs), it is excellent.
frap
213 posts
 
The SME III and 3009 ,to my ears, was better sound (with cartridges in their compiance comfort zones), than the highly praised SME V. That model always exhibited a rather thickish tone,for lackof a better word.The SME III may still be the best choice for the Shute V-15 cartridge or those of like compliance.
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