SME tonearms on a japanese market

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! 

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. 

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.

@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.

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. 

@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? :) 

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

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

@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".

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