SME tonearms on a japanese market

What are you trying to accomplish, or are you just trying out arms

@stringreen

Looking for another arm to buy. $1500 range. For me aesthetics is important. Yes, I agree, may not be a very justified or smart attitude. For the reason I don’t find SME 4 or 5 appealing because of the looks. They are excellent arms, I heard quite of a few very high opinions from elders of the tribe, just not the looks. I like more "classical" style, so I looked over SME 3009 and saw a deversity with the price a bit below what I thought I should see. At least thouse I saw on ebay from sellers located in Japan. Certainly I should probably consider this fact as an indication of the number of SME’s sold to Japan back then, which may be more of a "pro" rather than a "con".

I don't see why a Tonearm from either of the Brands suggested  bought as a used item from Japanese Vendor should be any worse than any other Vendor from any Country.

My experience in researching Vintage Analogue ancillaries in Japan is that for $1000ish, a TT can be bought with possibly 2x TA's  mounted from the SME Brand.

Always allow for Shipping and Import Fees to the sale prices seen

You mentioned Jelco. If you can find a now discontinued Jelco TK-850S (9"),  you  should consider it. Beats the SME in sound quality. 

@noromance 

Yes, exactly what I was looking at, thank you! The one doubt I have with this model is the knife- edge bearing, may be just because I don't know how this works exactly. Would you say it's an empty concern of mine? :) 

I bought a Jelco 370 H mid 1980's vintage fluid damped tonearm to install on my 1984 SYSTEMDEK IIX. The 370 H is NOS and ran about $300. They're great tone arms for the money. 

@anatoliy I’ve three TK850 tonearms. 12" and 9". Running them with Decca cartridges with zero issues. The knife edge 850/950 series are a large step up from the others. They replaced three SA 750 Jelcos.

Visualize a knife, edge up, placed transversely across the armtube. Now, fit the armtube in a metal block with a presisely machined 'V' groove that is placed on the knife edge and balanced. You have now created a stable, extremely low-friction, rattle-free vertical knife- edge bearing, just like SME.

It's also quite durable, unless you drop it and damage the knife edge. A point to remember when buying or shipping an SME arm - it must be blocked up and preferably removed from the plinth and laid sideways to protect the knife edge.

Do note, there are Analogue Source users within this Forum and others, where it is no secret their funds seem unlimited  for the value of ancillaries that can be purchased. 

There are a few of these types with serious spending opportunies, that are using Vintage Knife Edge Bearing designs on Tonearm in use. 

Thank you all. The fedback was helpful to ironout the decision. Received the Jelco 850S 9'' today. Looks impressive. I like the counterweight :) and how it slides on the stem. Now to the mounting setup. I want to mount and try both Amber The Tribute and Acutex that I have. Can't wait!