SME 3009 S2 Improved advice

[Jac Hawk]

i've just bought one of these to go on a Thorens TD160 i'm sorting out, anyway i've noticed a lot of play around the pivot with the arm tube being able to be moved and generally just seeming a bit sloppy, it's been years since i've owned one and can't remember if this is normal, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[walpurgis]

A long time since I had one too, but slack is normal as I recall. It relies on gravity to keep the knife edge bearing engaged.

[Beobloke]

Yep, as above - it’s a knife-edge bearing so perfectly normal.

[Jac Hawk]

Yep you're right, it just feels odd when you screw the counter weight on to have the arm moving around inside the pivot

[hifi_dave]

Perfectly normal. It relies on gravity and the weight of the arm to keep it sat nicely on the knife edges.

[Jac Hawk]

cheers guys, btw is there any way to upgrade the crap nylon knife edge bearings in the S2 Improved?

[Barry]

cheers guys, btw is there any way to upgrade the crap nylon knife edge bearings in the S2 Improved?

Yes, you can buy bronze knife edge bearings on the web. Changing the bearings is a bit tricky (you need three hands!), but I'm sure Audio Origami could do it for you.

[Jac Hawk]

Yes, you can buy bronze knife edge bearings on the web. Changing the bearings is a bit tricky (you need three hands!), but I'm sure Audio Origami could do it for you.

You seem to be a bit of an aficionado on all things SME Barry, is there any other worthwhile improvements for the series 2 improved?

[Barry]

You seem to be a bit of an aficionado on all things SME Barry, is there any other worthwhile improvements for the series 2 improved?

Well I have five of them - so know a little about them.

I should add that a later variant of the 3009 (improved) integrated the nylon knife edge bearings with the arm lift platform. If yours is such then you wont be able to replace the knife edge bearings.

If you can manage it, post a photo of the bearings for your arm.

[Jac Hawk]

Well I have five of them - so know a little about them.

I should add that a later variant of the 3009 (improved) integrated the nylon knife edge bearings with the arm lift platform. If yours is such then you wont be able to replace the knife edge bearings.

If you can manage it, post a photo of the bearings for your arm.

the arm lift platform on mine is on it's own separate collar if that helps. Also i've just spoken to True Point Audio in Birkenhead, i've never had any dealings with them in the past but they told me they can replace the nylon bearing and the plastic saddle for me, before i pull the trigger i wonder if anyone has any experience with this firm.

[WESTLOWER]

cheers guys, btw is there any way to upgrade the crap nylon knife edge bearings in the S2 Improved?

Is the Nylon knife edge crap ?
Imho nope. I think it’s the wrong way to go to change the knife edge nylon bearing

[Barry]

The first 3009 (improved) arms used the steel knife edge bearings used on the previous arms. When the stock had been exhausted, the design of the counterweight decoupling mechanism was modified to adopt the new nylon bearing design. It might be thought that the new nylon bearings were a cost-cutting exercise, but the change was made on SQ grounds: Alistair Robertson-Aikman thought a small amount of decoupling at the bearing was beneficial.

Clearly this is a matter for debate, but judging by the amount of after-market bronze bearings on offer, there are many SME users who think otherwise. I replaced the nylon bearings on my arm with one of the original steel bearings. Some believe that bronze bearings are better, and prefer them to steel types.

[Jac Hawk]

The typical murky area of hifi upgrades then

[walpurgis]

The typical murky area of hifi upgrades then

With a long running product that had various revisions over its lifetime, I guess that's to be expected. I wouldn't let it put me off getting another if I wanted to go that route again though. :)

[karma67]

the arm lift platform on mine is on it's own separate collar if that helps. Also i've just spoken to True Point Audio in Birkenhead, i've never had any dealings with them in the past but they told me they can replace the nylon bearing and the plastic saddle for me, before i pull the trigger i wonder if anyone has any experience with this firm.

i have, its bad im sorry to say. a total waste of my time when it comes to zeta bearings.

[Jac Hawk]

Can you elaborate any further Jamie??