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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: EFT, cash Region/State: (NSW) New South Wales/Australia By MrRogers 0 Comments AUD $590 Date: November 9, 2025Nov 9
This A$590 asking price is a strong bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile of A$787 for recent comparable AUD listings. With the median at A$1,213, you are securing a classic SME 3009 at roughly half the typical market value, making this an excellent entry point for a high-quality tonearm.
The SME 3009 remains a legendary choice for its robust construction, precise tracking, and iconic British sound that pairs beautifully with moving magnet and moving coil cartridges alike. At this price, even if it’s a Series I or II without extra accessories, the core value is undeniable for anyone upgrading from a budget arm or seeking a proven vintage performer. The “excellent” condition listing further boosts confidence, offering a clean buying opportunity with minimal risk.
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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