SME 3009 S2 Improved advice

[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??