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Offered is „SME V 9“ by SME as new device from the category „Tone Arm“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 1556521166 ends on 23.10.2026 at 08:57 o'clock.
A well-regarded moving-coil classic with a serious reputation for detail and tracking. At €5,000, this sits above the €2,693 median and even above the €6,529 75th percentile of recent comparable EUR listings, so it reads as an ambitious ask rather than a bargain.
The upside is the usual SME appeal: excellent engineering, strong resale appeal, and the kind of performance that can anchor a revealing vinyl front end for years. If it includes the right accessories and the condition is genuinely clean, it will interest committed buyers; just make sure the stylus wear, cantilever alignment, and any service history are fully documented, because those matter more than cosmetics on a cartridge of this class.
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.
