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In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: Which SME 3009?
Post Subject: Re: Which SME 3009?Posted by Brian Clark on: 7/2/2005
Alex, the best version would be the first (Series 1) version but these are very rare. Next best would be the pre-Improved Series 2, having metal knife-edge bearings. The Improved would be OK for light-weight, light-tracking MM carts, having been developed expressly for the Shure V15 & ED series, but not really for lightweight MCs without replacing the nylon knife-edges with metal replacement.
Watch out for the condition of the rubber coupling. These perish and need replacing with the genuine SME item.
I personally think the 9" arms are sonically inferior to the 3012 but it's been a long, long time since I had a 3009 in my system.
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