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SME 3009 Tonearm SME 3009 tonearm in excellent condition Inspection and pickup welcome. Postage Australia wide is $20. Any questions please ask. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Paypal, EFT, Cash on Pickup Region/State: (NSW) New South Wales/Australia By MrRogers 0 Comments AUD $575 Date: December 17, 2025Dec 17
The SME 3009 has a strong reputation as a classic, highly capable tonearm, and at A$575 this looks like a strong deal against the recent AUD asking-price set: it sits below the A$646 25th percentile and well under the A$808 median. It is not just fair; it is priced on the low side for a well-regarded piece of vintage analogue hardware.
For a buyer, the appeal is the arm’s mix of finesse, adjustability, and long-running desirability with serious turntable setups. An excellent condition example is especially attractive here, because surviving clean examples tend to be the ones worth grabbing quickly; if it is complete and mechanically sound, the upside is strong. I would mainly verify bearings, cueing action, and that all essential mounting and accessories are present.
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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