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For sale is a highly specified 2012 SME Series IV precision tonearm, complete with its original factory packaging, setup tools, and paperwork. This arm has been professionally upgraded by Audio Origami with an Ikeda Silver internal rewire, dramatically lowering the noise floor and improving high-frequency detail compared to the standard factory loom. Original receipt for upgrade included. Included in the sale: SME Series IV Tonearm (2012) Audio Origami Ikeda Silver Internal Rewire Furutech AG-12 DIN-to-RCA Phono Cable Original SME f... read more
Condition is good, and at £2,225 this is basically right on top of the £2,207 median for recent comparable GBP listings, so it reads as a fair buy rather than a steal or an inflated ask. It also sits well inside the normal spread, above the £1,123 25th percentile but far below the £4,235 75th percentile, which keeps it squarely in mainstream market territory.
That makes sense for a well-regarded SME arm: these are admired for precise, low-colour tracking and strong build quality, so a clean example can be a very sensible long-term purchase if you want a serious analogue upgrade. The upside here is mainly in condition and completeness, so check for original accessories, a straight armwand, smooth bearings, and a healthy cueing/lift action; if those are in order, this looks like a solid buy at the asking price.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Founded in 1946 by Alastair Robertson-Aikman as The Scale Model Equipment Company Limited in England, SME initially produced scale models and precision parts for engineering trades before pivoting in the 1950s to high-precision components for aircraft instruments and business machines. By 1961, it had relocated to a dedicated factory in Steyning, Sussex, and fully embraced audio engineering, developing its first tonearm for personal use. Now marking over 70 years of excellence, SME was acquired in 2016 by industrialist Ajay Shirke's Cadence Group, ensuring continued innovation while honoring its heritage, including recent moves like reviving the Garrard turntable brand.
SME specializes exclusively in precision turntables and tonearms, offering models like the acclaimed Model 30 series alongside a range of twelve standard arms and custom variants. With over one million tonearms sold worldwide, the company avoids diversification into amplifiers, speakers, DACs, headphones, or cables, focusing instead on unmatched engineering for vinyl playback.
Regarded as the gold standard in high-end analog audio, SME commands a niche position among discerning audiophiles for its Steyning facility—the world's largest and best-equipped for precision pick-up arms and turntables. Synonymous with industry-leading build quality and sonic refinement, it appeals to serious collectors and professionals who prioritize mechanical perfection over mass-market compromises.
See all SME listings on RADAR.
