For sale / Swop: SME V tonearm

[Rosewind]

SME V tonearm for sale with original manual (+ extra photo copied copy) and silver tonearm cable (see photo). No box, no finger lift. I will supply a new VTA screw, a new HTA key, a new plastic bush and alignment protractor and a new mounting template for easy set-up of the arm.

The arm is used but in good condition with a slight mark on the arm from the arm rest.

The reason for sale/swap is that I want to fund a Paradise build. I am not at all dissatisfied with it. If it does not sell, I will keep it and go for a less expensive phono stage or mc head amp.

I will ship this arm to the UK for £2000.

Swap items of interest with cash my way (9"/10"/10.5"/12" welcome)
- Audiomods 6 tonearm
- Audio Origami PU7 tonearm
- Moerch UP4 / Moerch DP6 tonearm
- Nottingham Analogue Ace Anna
- The Funk Firm FX3 or FXR
- Brinkmann 10.5
- Kuzma Stogi S 12" VTA
- SME 309 / SME M2-9 ... / SME IV.vi

Better photos later.

https://i.imgur.com/JW2csMW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1eJSs24h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KiQOsqUh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/S5bW0fVh.jpg

[Rosewind]

https://i.imgur.com/jJEewu5.jpg

[Rosewind]

£2000.

Swap items of interest with cash my way (9"/10"/10.5"/12" welcome)
- Audiomods 6 tonearm
- Audio Origami PU7 tonearm
- Moerch UP4 / Moerch DP6 tonearm
- Nottingham Analogue Ace Anna
- The Funk Firm FX3 or FXR
- Brinkmann 10.5
- Kuzma Stogi S 12" VTA
- SME 309 / SME M2-9 ... / SME IV.vi

[Vrajbasi]

How old is the arm? what's the wiring inside, was the arm ever serviced I noticed there is a slight blemish on the screen on the V on the tube how noticeable is this. Do how old the arm is?

[Rosewind]

There is a slight mark from where the armrest grips the arm. I will have to take the arm off to see the seriel number. Then I will call SME tomorrow to enquire sbout age and service history. Other than that the arm neeeds a deep "dusting" while I have removed it from the turntable.

[Vrajbasi]

There also appears some lettering has rubbed off probably needs a service but is still a good price considering

[Rosewind]

https://i.imgur.com/XVjiYd3l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oEitsFbl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BeTjk1ml.jpg

Serial number (57608) and two shots of lettering + the slight mark left from the armrest grip. I will call SME to hear about the details of the arm.

[prestonchipfryer]

The mark on the arm from the arm rest is usual for the arm and is nowt to worry about. It's shows the arm has been used that is all. Good luck with the sale/swap. :)

[Vrajbasi]

Yes the mark on the arm rest is usual, the rubbing off on the V sometimes happens too, with a full service sme usually replace the arm tube in any case.

[Rosewind]

Nari. You have s nice collection of turntables and arms already, I see! Not to mention the rest of your kit!
The arm doesn't look and feel all that used, but that may just come down to its build quality.

[Rosewind]

PM replied to. My first priority will be a straight sale but don't let that stop you from approaching me.

Just phoned SME and because the service manager was off today, I sent him an email asking about year of manufacture and service history. I will post more info next week.

[Rosewind]

Watched a few videos of SME factory tours. Especially enjoyed the parts where Service Manager Brian Laker showed the tonearm and turntable service and assembly area.

The arm is still here. The silver tonearm cable was made by "Gothic Cable". Price: £2000. Swaps welcome but figure in cash to go with your arm.

[Rosewind]

The SME V tonearm was made in 2007 according to SME UK. No service history.

[gninnam]

Do you know how much a service would be?

[Rosewind]

Hi Andy. I did not ask Brian Laker. I just sent him an email at SME UK. Stay tuned.

[Vrajbasi]

around £700 ish for a service

[Rosewind]

A comprehensive SME service where the SME V tonearm comes back to you as new costs £748.80. So £2749 will let you have a new updated arm. Any takers?

[Spectral Morn]

I see this often. Are SME arms so fragile they need serviced? Bollocks they do, unless mistreated and the one in the photos looks well looked after. I have an SME5 from the 1990s and it sounds great and does as it always did. Never serviced. The laugh here is back in the day that service charge got you an SME 309 and a cart. Go a little bit further back that service charge nearly got you an SME4.

Feel very insecure about it get Johnny of AO to look at it.

If I needed another SME5 I would not hesitate to buy this and £2000 is a good price for such an arm.

[Rosewind]

The service will give you a new arm tube, new bearings and the newest litz wire in the arm. If I owned an SME 309 magnesium arm with the old bearings, this is what I would do to it. With an already good SME V, I would (and will) just sit tight and save the money.

[Spectral Morn]

The service will give you a new arm tube, new bearings and the newest litz wire in the arm. If I owned an SME 309 magnesium arm with the old bearings, this is what I would do to it. With an already good SME V, I would (and will) just sit tight and save the money.

Having compared the old 309 and the new, I prefer the old. Its not a service then and those calling it a service are incorrect, its an upgrade, except it may not be, magnesium is not the be all and end all and too much can result in a dead, flat, clinical sound.

Regardless I think your arm is a good buy for someone. Shocked its still hear.

[Wakefield Turntables]

£2k is a lot of money but not when you compare it to the latest price hikes.

[gninnam]

Thanks for the info on the service.
I would love this but won't have that kind of spare cash for another month so GLWTS.

[Rosewind]

Andy (gninnam): How does that AudioNote Arm 1 V2 sound?

[gninnam]

Andy (gninnam): How does that AudioNote Arm 1 V2 sound?

Hi Peter,

It works very well thanks - once the correct VTA was dialled in I found it to work with the TT brilliantly.
Was hoping the 5 would take it to the next level.

[Vrajbasi]

The later arms use a different supplier for the tubes having compared with I would certainly get the arm serviced, and having had many arms they do get tired after a while. If I had a 309 with aluminium I would no way change the tube but get the rest done. The big problem with sme arms I can really say no two sounded the same I have heard arms that are boring and dead and some nicely open with a great midrange. The series v is quite complicated in its build.

[Rosewind]

A bit complicated then as with most hifi equipment. Do you happen to know when SME changed supplier of arm tubes? Just for my own record. If I keep the SME V, I will not get it serviced now, but may well do it in a few years so I am sure that the arm will be able to be with me to the end. I am 57, so another 20 years, I suppose, until I won't bother with vinyl any longer.

[Rosewind]

Upwardly mobile tonearm

[Rosewind]

Swap or straight sale.

[Rosewind]

Sitting on the plane back from Tenerife, I am very close to simply keeping the SME V. So if you are interested in this 2007 tonearm, get in touch.

[Rosewind]

For £2000 - in a straight sale ...

I will also order a complete new tonearm box (inner foam, inner box and despatch carton) at a cost of £142.00 new, so the arm can be safely shipped to the UK in it.

So you will get a full funtioning SME series V tonearm, complete with the VTA key, HTA screw, alignment protractor and spindle bush, original manual + an extra copy of the manual and a complete SME V box (in three parts).

I will only order the shipping box after a full payment has been made, so expect a short delay for SME UK to ship the box to me in Denmark and for me to ship the SME V in its new box to you.

Payment - PayPal free/family or add 4%. In any event I should receive no less than £2000 into my PayPal account.

[Rosewind]

The SME V in full play - yes I know the preamp is a DIY DC B1 buffer pre based on a Nelson Pass B1 preamp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3aMc1uozdQ

Tonearm swaps + cash my way still welcome.

[Rosewind]

On hold for someone with an Orbe. Deposit received.

[Rosewind]

Paid for and will soon be on its way to the UK. Thanks for looking!