Internal Wire Upgrade for SME V

@geof3

Thanks to you as well.  You mentioned smetonearms.com a couple days ago.

@slaw 

Thanks for the tip.  Actually it's mazeaudio.com (no hyphen).

Chakster and mijostyn, the wiring would be replaced by the service expert as part of his installation of my new AT cartridge.  I haven't seen anything in the forums suggesting that a professional has ruined a tonearm during a service like this.
Do you still recommend against replacing the internal wiring?  I have seen numerous comments that the wiring used in the early SME V's was one of its few weaknesses.

Maybe it's the last thing I could do, but the time is now. 

This technician works at the same shop where I bought my SOTA Star Sapphire 30 years ago, just a few blocks away.  He already has the table and is replacing the bearing.  He will be installing the new cart and re-setting the SME to match.  I am not going to dismount the arm and send it to SME for new wiring.  I'd rather stick with the original.

It's now or never.  You may be right that replacing the wiring is not a major improvement.  But my choice is yay or nay.  I would probably go with AudioNote instead of these cheap kits, but - why not?

Thank you all for your views, knowledge and experience.  My choice is now clear: either send the arm to SME to install the AN-to-RCA cable or stick with the original.

I will assess the logistics and costs and reach a decision soon.

@cardani

Yes, thank you for that advice re: smetonearms.com.  I checked immediately: $350 + shipping.  Includes a thorough cleaning and new parts where needed.  Cardas 4x33 18k gold litz, 1.25 meters to Swiss 18k gold rca connectors.  Seems very reasonable, and they've rewired 1,850 SME arms this way.  This place sounds like an SME mecca.

It seems like a no-brainer to have this done before I mount a new cartridge.

Thanks again!