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The SME 3009 S2 Early is an improved version of the SME 3009 Series II tonearm, introduced in the early 1970s. It features a 9-inch anodised aluminium J-shaped arm tube with a diameter of 9.5mm and a wall thickness of 0.56mm. The arm uses precision knife-edge bearings for vertical movement and ball-race bearings for horizontal movement, ensuring low friction and high accuracy. The S2 improved model is distinguished by a lightweight removable headshell (type S-2) with an effective mass around 9.5 grams, making it suitable for use with higher compliance moving magnet and moving iron cartridges. It has a unique weight system with a main counterweight and a rider weight for precise tracking force adjustment up to approximately 1.5 grams. The arm includes a damped hydraulic lifter for gentle cueing, adjustable overhang, vertical tracking force, anti-skate, and arm height. The baseplate allows sliding adjustment for tangency, and the arm is finished in satin chrome plate, gun black, and polished stainless steel. The SME 3009 S2 Early is highly regarded for its build quality, versatility, and enduring performance, remaining popular among audiophiles decades after its introduction. It was designed to accommodate a wide range of cartridges, including heavy low-compliance moving coil types and lighter high-compliance cartridges, with excellent groove contact maintained even if tilted up to 30 degrees from horizontal. The arm was produced until the early 2000s, with the S2 improved variant offering a balance of precision and usability for professional and domestic applications.
Tonearm specifications
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
Components that show up alongside the 3009 S2 Early in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The 3009 Series II's effective mass is 9 g against the 3009 S2 Early's 9.5 g and its effective length 229 mm against 228.6 mm.
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The SA-750D's effective mass is 13.48 g against the 3009 S2 Early's 9.5 g and its effective length 229 mm against 228.6 mm.
The RB330's effective mass is 11 g against the 3009 S2 Early's 9.5 g and its effective length 236.5 mm against 228.6 mm.
The HR-100S's effective mass is 11 g against the 3009 S2 Early's 9.5 g and its effective length 229 mm against 228.6 mm.
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
3009 Series I
3009 II Improved
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