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SME 3012 Type II vs. SME3012R

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Bnoyes12

New Member
I’m right now thinking about getting an sme 3012 type II but an older friend of my dad’s keeps telling me that the 3012r is way better as it’s made of steel vs aluminum. Is there a difference with the sound? I would assume the steel one is higher mass. I just don’t know if it’s worth the extra money.
Thanks!
 
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I was never fond of 12 inch arms for records with any anomalies. They just don' track warps and undulations as well as shorter linear arms. REvox and and B&O linear trackers were the champs. My 12 inch and nine inch SME's using V-15's and Stanton 881's couldn't track with a 4000 and 8000 series B&O or Revox tables. It was no contest. Plus you didn't have to deal with anti skating which is never a constant parameter. Change the signal velocity and you need to change the anti skating adjust ments. Especially with longer arms. My Rabco easily out tracks and follows warps better than my 10.5 inch VPI arm. And the Revox and B&O are a magnitude better it seems to me. Yes arms to day be made from composits are much better than alum., steel and graphite arms, but you have to pay the price difference. I would go with steel in your case, but stay away from 12 inch arms.
 
The SME 3012R was built due to the Japan market wanting/clamouring/hounding SME for a new 12" version
that had similarities to SME's series 1, a low production that included the 3009 type1, and very limited 3012 type 1's
in the late 50's.

The arm tube in the series 1 and the R Series are similar but not exactly the same, additionally mass, bearing, & stub isolation
differed from later arms. In the case of the series 1 the collet will accept EMT and the more common pin orientation.
In essence the type 1 and R series differ from other SME models produced and since numbers made are limited
prices are higher.

If you have specific needs cartridge wise SPU or others I suggest you delve into comments made by Japanese audiophiles
using the R, and series 1 since they were responsible for the R being supplied. May give you further in site from another perspective.
 
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