The SME III and 3009 ,to my ears, was better sound (with cartridges in their compiance comfort zones), than the highly praised SME V. That model always exhibited a rather thickish tone,for lackof a better word.The SME III may still be the best choice for the Shute V-15 cartridge or those of like compliance.
SME III Tonearm: Classic or Dinosaur?
At 14, I killed myself delivering papers and mowing lawns to buy my first Hafler amps and Magneplanar MG-1b's and I lucked into a deal on an SME III tonearm on a Kenwood KD-500 with a Grado Signature cartridge. I thought the SME was the most exotic piece of gear in the world with its fluid dampening system and pulley mounted anti skating (?) device, and with fond memories was very excited to see one for sale recently. Does anyone know how this arm might compare with tonearms of today, especially the newer SME's? Could this work reasonably well or am I just being sentimental?