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What are good options for re-wiring an SME 3009 tone arm?

My SME 3009 must be close to its 50th birthday and the connectors for the cartridge are quite corroded.  I broke one off when changing cartridges but was able to resolder the connector back on without too much trouble.  I am looking for a more permanent solution.

I am aware of The Vinyl Source and their DIY kit.  This runs copper Litz wiring straight to the pre-amplifier, bypassing two sets of connectors in my case.  There is a 1-metre cable length from the base of the tone arm, where an anchor block replaces the standard SME connector

Then there is van den Hul, who have more sophisticated conductor choices including silver Litz and carbon hybrid.  They apparently supply SME these days.  It is not easy to get much detail from van den Hul or from SME when you live on the other side of the globe!

Or I could just buy Litz wire plus new cartridge connectors and replace what is in the tone arm.

The other end of the wire feeds a Krell KSP-7B pre-amplifier, and my current cartridges are moving magnet - a Shure V15 and an Audio Technica VM540ML.

What are your suggestions?

richardbrand

Showing 2 responses by d-vinyl-3009

d-vinyl-3009
2 posts
 

I sent my SME 3009 S2 (Non-Improved) off to “Robert Graetke”, at Analog Tube Audio. The Website is http://www.analogtubeaudio.de

I had it rebuilt and rewired with his silver wire, which I believe you could possibly purchase from him separately?

I cannot comment on the sound changes as, I unfortunately never got my TD-124 back together and running….

Eliminating the original SME connector block and getting an RCA or 5 pin Conversion kit, is a good option to take.

Verses running litz or other wiring, all the way to the pre-amplifier. Which I feel, would lock you in to whatever sound that cable provides.

On doing the tonearm wiring yourself…take a look at this site and see what is involved with the re-wire SME 3009 first: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/sme-3009-series-ii-tonearm-rewire-tutorial.989728/

d-vinyl-3009
2 posts
 

Yes, the original SME tinned connectors were not that great and SME of Canada actually are on the side of removing those old SME DIN block connectors. Their postion on it, was that "the best type of connection, is no connection at all". 

That appears to be why SME of Canada and some other rewire services. Remove the SME DIN Block connectors and rewire out fully to the RCA connectors. Using custom designed cable stand off and strain relief systems.

On my side of it, after first having the SME Canada setup. I heard about what Analog Tube Audio was doing tonearm rebuild wise and internal silver cabling wise.

So, when I decided to rebuild and upgrade my beloved TD-124 turntable. I had them rebuild by SME 3009 S2 tonearm, install silver wiring and add in the RCA conversion kit setup. 

I went this way, as cables do matter to me and I wanted option to change out RCA cabling, as needed based on my system configuration (which does change), using my desired cable builder and needed cable length.

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