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SME Series IV tonearm, complete with original factory packaging, instructions, fixing bolts, setup tools, templates and receipts. This arm has been professionally upgraded by Audio Origami with an Ikeda Silver internal rewire, Original receipt for upgrade included. Cosmetically, the arm shows typical signs of light use. There is a standard minor cosmetic rub mark on the arm tube where it sits snugly in the armrest clip. Additionally, there is some light scraping over the silk-screened "Magnesium" lettering on the side of the shaft. Detailed photos available on request... read more
£1,650 is fair to slightly firm for a used SME IV; it sits around the middle of the going range I’d expect for a clean example, and it’s not cheap enough to call a bargain, but it’s also not off the rails for this arm.
What makes it worth a look is the reputation: the SME IV is a classic high-mass, precision-bearing arm with excellent tracking, calm presentation, and the build quality to justify paying for a good one. If the listing is genuinely good condition, with all mounting hardware, armwand parts, and a tidy bearing feel, it’s a sensible buy for someone pairing it with a serious deck. At this price, completeness matters more than chasing cosmetic perfection.
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.
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