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SME V Tonearm Hi Everyone, I'm in the process of assisting a close friend liquidate a vast majority of his Hi Fi equipment as he is transitioning into Aged Care Centre shortly and unfortunately cannot take the majority of his equipment with him to the centre. We are currently in the process of cleaning out his apartment and have not come across any paperwork for the purchase of this item, but if we find such paper work after this advert is posted, it will be included. My friend tells me he recalls purchasing this SME V Tonearm new ( it was the last one in the country as this was about 6
This A$8,700 asking price is ambitious, sitting well above the 75th percentile of A$7,358 and significantly higher than the median of A$2,769 for recent AUD listings, though it remains just under the original A$10,000 RRP. While external data shows sporadic higher asks (e.g., A$7,500–A$7,990), the bulk of the market clusters far lower, making this a premium valuation that demands proof of exceptional condition or full original packaging.
The SME Series V remains a legendary tonearm, prized for its one-piece die-cast magnesium wand and precise viscous damping that lets you tune resonance frequency for a vast range of cartridges. If this unit is truly mint, never mounted, and includes all original accessories, it offers meaningful upside as a rare, high-performance piece that still outperforms many modern arms in dynamic range and stability. Treat it as a buying opportunity only if the condition is verified as flawless; otherwise, the price is tough to justify against the median market.
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.
