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Which SME 3009 should I keep?

Montycat

Montycat

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I have 2 Thorens TD-125 MKII here, both with SME 3009 arms. I can't keep both (oh well, I CAN but I shouldn't ;) )

I know which Thorens I want to keep, the one without the cue slider as it obviously is out of place without the Thorens arm. Of the arms one is detachable and one not. The fixed headshell one I put a bronze knife bearing into but I still have the steel one. The other one I think has the nylon bearing. I could play around with which arm ends up with what but I am not sure the nylon would swap out as the cue lifter platform seems to be part of that piece.

My preference is usually for Shure type cartridges. On the detachable shell I have a V15 IV and the other has (for now) a Realistic RXT4 which is pretty close in my estimation to the Shure. I have 2 styli for the Realistic, one NIB. I also have other cartridges I like, such as an Ortofon VMS 20E MKII. I have a number of other choices too.

What do you think?

SME 3009 detachable

Shure V15 Type IV on SME detachable by Buhduh, on Flickr

SME 3009 detachable 2 by Buhduh, on Flickr

SME 3009 detachable by Buhduh, on Flickr

SME 3009 fixed

Realistic RXT4 on SME fixed by Buhduh, on Flickr

SME 3009 fixed headshell by Buhduh, on Flickr

SME 3009 fixed headshell by Buhduh, on Flickr
 
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Andrew...I would only keep the fixed headshell version if you are truly happy sticking with pretty much one cartridge...you know its a pita to swap carts on the fixed headshell. I, too, have a spare SME tonearm and the one that goes will be the fixed headshell one. That's my 2¢...
 
I bought a brand new Shure SME3009 'Improved' (non-detachable headshell version) and Thorens TD125 mkII back in 1971. I chose the Improved version because the reviews back then said it provided a noticeably better sound compared to the detachable headshell version. I don't remember the details of the improvement, but it was enough to convince me then. I don't swap cartridges around so it worked out fine for me from the convenience perspective too.
 
I would keep the removable headshell model. I have the 3009 non removable headshell and it's a real pain to mount cartridges to! I also have the bronze bearing too. I prefer the original nylon bearing. It has more midbass than the bronze, which I prefer. Nylon sounds more warm and fuller to me. The bronze bearing is a waste of money, IMO. The biggest sound improvement was getting the FD-200 Fluid Damper! Every cartridge sounds so much better with it!
 
IMO the only reason to keep the fixed headshell arm would be if you are going to stick with primarily very high compliance carts like the Shure V15 type IV, which should sound noticeably better on the fixed headshell arm (eMass 6.5g) vs the removable headshell arm (eMass 9.5g).

That said the V15 IV should still sound pretty good with the with the removable headshell, although I haven't heard one.

Plus as others have said, swapping (and just attaching) carts to the removable headshells are much easier, although spare SME headshells are pricey.

Finally with the removable headshell arm you are not limited to SME headshells, there are so many more to try.
 
Ok, you guys have more or less reinforced what I planned anyway.

I do swap cartridges and headshells and appreciate the simplicity. I just wanted to see if anyone had a compelling reason to not use the nylon bearing version.

I've already swapped the detachable arm on acrylic armboard to the keeper 125 with the Tucker99 dustcover. It also has the RCA conversion unit installed, swapped from ANOTHER 3009 I sold a while back.

I won't always necessarily use really high compliance cartridges so this more mid range one is probably better for me anyway.

:)
 
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I have always liked the non removable I never needed to swap cartridges anyway. Most top performing arms don't have removable head shells, they can use a clean run of wire without break. The coupling joint is not the best option to have at the head shell and arm wand for resonance.

If I want a different sound, I use another turntable or maybe I didn't need the cart I chose to put on it in the first place.
 
One more thing to consider that I'm sure you already have.

I understand that you shouldn't keep both arms, but is there any way you can?

Maybe, get a second armboard and use it exclusively for your fixed headshell 3009 and V15 IV. That arm is perfect for that cart. Align it once and you are set.

Use the other board and arm for trying different carts and headshells for fun, but you can always easily go back to your aligned and sweet-sounding V15 IV by simply swapping boards.

And the extra armboard/3009 not currently being used would look really cool on display next to your table...
 
While I loved the fixed version with the Shure M91ED, I wished I had the removable version and I don't cartridge swap often!
 
Tucker99 said:
you know its a pita to swap carts on the fixed headshell. I, too, have a spare SME tonearm and the one that goes will be the fixed headshell one.
Click to expand...
I have a fixed h'shell model, and it's so big a PITA to switch carts, I'm converting it to removable. I don't even have the SME socket, just a good one from a Kenwood — which is too small for the SME tube, I'll have to build up the diameter, but worth it for the convenience. To compensate for multiple-breaks in the wiring (as 4-2-7 notes) I'll eliminate the output sockets at the other end, in favor of a single wire run from
h'shell socket to preamp. It'll be so modded its resale value will be $5, if I'm lucky.

I have 2 good fixed-shell arms, Ittok and Syrinx PU3 (and a sublime Odyssey but I may sell it) but I like rotating cartridges a lot, and the modded 3009 will be the workhorse for that. I have a TT which takes 3 arms — I don't like the cluttered look but I can have 2 good but differently voiced MCs at all times, and a dozen other carts to use with zero PITA on the SME when the mood takes me.
 
Hifiler said:
One more thing to consider that I'm sure you already have.

I understand that you shouldn't keep both arms, but is there any way you can?

Maybe, get a second armboard and use it exclusively for your fixed headshell 3009 and V15 IV. That arm is perfect for that cart. Align it once and you are set.

Use the other board and arm for trying different carts and headshells for fun, but you can always easily go back to your aligned and sweet-sounding V15 IV by simply swapping boards.

And the extra armboard/3009 not currently being used would look really cool on display next to your table...
Click to expand...

Damn you! :(

I have not one but two extra armboards. And one is cutout for SME. :)
 
4-2-7 said:
Most top performing arms don't have removable head shells.
Click to expand...
They're making a comeback in that category. Having both types, and comparing them, the fixed-shell is not as superior as I thought for many many years, though in theory it should be much better, esp. with low-compliance MCs. In fact, other things being equal, I hear no difference, Maybe it's my hearing.
 
Removable headshell... more options to play with cartridges. If that not your thing then the fixed headshell holds no barrier, other than cartridge compliance limits, and as 4-2-7 pointed out the straight thru wiring is a plus no matter how you slice it.
 
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