No more SME arms!
- Thread starter JensenHealey
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YNWOAN
100% Analogue
Blimey Jez, you better hide under the stairs after that - some people think the 3009 was the best thing since the resurrection and even the III has acolytes who will fight to the death!
As I recall, I think Rega also recently announced that it would no longer be making their arms accessible to the OEM market. I bet Jelko have brought their Christmas party early to celebrate!
As I recall, I think Rega also recently announced that it would no longer be making their arms accessible to the OEM market. I bet Jelko have brought their Christmas party early to celebrate!
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Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
One of the best arms ever made IMHO. My big regret is that for 20 plus years I thought to myself that someday their greatness will be recognised and then the price will spiral and that I should get one soon... guess what...
Mike Reed
pfm Member
The Five, which many with an interest in 9" arms have aspired to for more than a generation, was a bit complex (i.e. 'fussy'), despite being very versatile. At its former price, it was competitive with its contenders launched since, but the price hike three years ago put it into fairy land in v.f.m. terms. With so many low compliance cart's coming on board and its 11g mass putting it at the low end of medium mass, it was not for Koetsus, Miyajimas and the like. It looked the biz and strutted its stuff, but there are a lot of better and cheaper arms out there, i.m.o.
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
I've had both series II and III and really didn't like them. The III did seem to work well with an Ortofon VMS30 though. With much else cartridge wise they're dynamically and tonally flat and lifeless. Even a Linn LVX is a big step up from one! I made a killing on the III though as I bought it mounted to a Technics SL-150 MkII for £50 the pair and sold just the arm for £250! They are lovely things to handle and look at though... "Camera finish" as they say...
The Audio Technica AT-1005 MkII I use these days was half the price of the contemporary SME series II but thrashes it!
I'm vaguely recalling £46 for the SME and £19.50 for the AT from Comet at the time...
Stunsworth
pfm Member
I had a III on a Thorens TD160 used with a VMS20E. I also used Dynavector 10X and Denon 103 in the same arm - in all cases that was with the damper.
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
This was also on a Thorens TD160 (Super) and then an LP12. later another III on the Technics as in post above... not good.
Ptah
pfm Member
this one?One of the best arms ever made IMHO. My big regret is that for 20 plus years I thought to myself that someday their greatness will be recognised and then the price will spiral and that I should get one soon... guess what...
this one?
I think he means the 774.
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
this one?
Nah the original 774... not the SM or the LC versions.
John Channing
fruit box forever
Don't know why they bothered to make an announcement, I am sure the business is very low volume and has been for years, if they stockpiled a few dozens arms no one would have been the wiser for years, The fact they are still selling arms as part of the turntable package means they still have the tooling to make them, so what's the point of the announcement?
cobbers
pfm Member
Had mine for about 12 years - going absolutely nowhere (cost me £80)
Currently sat on my PT1
Tony L
Administrator
It just sounds crazy to me. If they can sell arms as part of turntables they can clearly still make arms, so why turn their back on a market with a very good markup and upon which the company’s whole success and reputation was built. I bet A R-A is spinning in his grave tonight. His legacy deserves better than this.
alanbeeb
pfm Member
Yeah but those were the arms they were making 50 years ago. Long since superseeded by the modern 3, IV and V series arms.