SME 3009 Series ii

[Buck Boogie]

Hi,

I have a Thorens TD160B Mk 2 currently fitted with a Hadcock GH 228 tonearm and Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. I am thinking of changing the tonearm to a SME 3009 Series ii and would appreciate your thoughts on whether this would be a good upgrade? From what I have read the SME is a good match for the TD160 and if I have understood correctly I would need the detached headshell variant to match the compliance with the Ortofon cartridge although I may be wrong here!

Aside from ebay, are there any other marketplaces where I might find the SME arm?

Many thanks for any help

Chris

[walpurgis]

The SME is nice on a TD160, but so should the Hadcock also be. Not sure a change would benefit the sound, but maybe the SME would be more convenient to use and look good, less fiddly to set up too.

[kirstysdad]

The SME is nice on a TD160, but so should the Hadcock also be. Not sure a change would benefit the sound, but maybe the SME would be more convenient to use and look good, less fiddly to set up too.

The Hadcock is great, but is it really less fiddly to set up? I have a SME 3009 and it's a PITA, but fabulous when you've got it just so... with patience. It also looks the business. If the OP wants to message me, my SME could be available, but wasn't actually up for sale.

[mbic]

This is a fixed headshell SME, see HiFi For Sale https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/mobil...2160&prodt=sme

[walpurgis]

This is a fixed headshell SME, see HiFi For Sale https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/mobil...2160&prodt=sme

It may be NOS, but that's more than three times what I'd consider paying.

[kirstysdad]

It may be NOS, but that's more than three times what I'd consider paying.

That's an absolute piss take! £250 in a box etc maximum... as a collectors item never to be used. What's the point in that? Like a Joe 90 car and you can't play with it...

[struth]

sme no more are they not?? still too dear tho but it'll go for more than 250

[Buck Boogie]

Thanks everyone for your comments. The Hadcock does sound good to my ears so maybe I will hang on to it as there doesn't seem to be a convincing argument to swap to a 3009. I bought the TD160/Hadcock from a friend back in the late 1970's and since then it has been moved around quite alot. I can't recall whether I ever had the original box and manual etc and whether any different counterweights were supplied. Currently I know it is not set up correctly as the Ortofon Blue is not tracking at the correct weight so I need to sort that out.

[Jac Hawk]

Thanks everyone for your comments. The Hadcock does sound good to my ears so maybe I will hang on to it as there doesn't seem to be a convincing argument to swap to a 3009. I bought the TD160/Hadcock from a friend back in the late 1970's and since then it has been moved around quite alot. I can't recall whether I ever had the original box and manual etc and whether any different counterweights were supplied. Currently I know it is not set up correctly as the Ortofon Blue is not tracking at the correct weight so I need to sort that out.

Chris you should get yourself along to the NEBO in Billingham this Saturday the 13th, you’ll hear a lot of great gear plus I’ll be bringing a TD160 super, so you’ll get an idea of what’s possible and what different arms, carts can sound like on the Thorens

[Pigmy Pony]

Chris you should get yourself along to the NEBO in Billingham this Saturday the 13th, you’ll hear a lot of great gear plus I’ll be bringing a TD160 super, so you’ll get an idea of what’s possible and what different arms, carts can sound like on the Thorens

Yes you should try to get there Chris, it looks like you are quite local to the venue. You will find a wealth of knowledge about your t/t, from a really helpful bunch of guys. It's also a great day out, informal and fun