[Fido2]

I have a SME 3009 imp fixed headshell tonearm on an old modified AR "The Turntable" which is a suspended chassis TT. You guys who may have had or do have a 3009 please recommend me a very satisfying cart that has worked well for you in this arm and also preferably on a suspended TT. TIA

[AlexG]

I also have a SME 3009 improved (detachable head) fitted on a modified (Merrill parts) ES1. Great turntable. This tonearm was designed for low-medium mass and high compliance cartridges. I have it fitted with a Shure V15VxMR...great match! They don't make it anymore but you can get a used one for around $250. Another alternative will be one of the newer current (top of the line) Shure cartridges.

Alex

[Fido2]

Thanks Alex,
Yeah the Shure keeps popping up but I am trying to avoid it since it is no longer in production. I guess
I will have to break down and get one anyway. I do have the new Shure MM M97xE but I have not tried it in the 3009 yet. Is the M97xE as good as the old Shure V15?

 

[Blackmore]

I had great luck with a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood on the SME and a Sonographe SG-3 suspended table.  Really wonderful sound and groove noise was almost non-existent.  Makes me wonder about other cartridges in the Clearaudio line. 

[Wayner]

No offense intended, but I thought the Shure M97xe was the most boring, unmusical cartridge I've ever heard. I sold it to a fellow AC member who, I believe, has resold it again. How Stereopile ever gave this cart a highly recommended badge has me perplexed.

Wayner

[Fido2]

Thanks Blackmore. I have heard good things about the wood Clearaudio carts. I may have to try them first.
lol..no offense at all Wayner thanks for the info!

[AlexG]

No offense intended, but I thought the Shure M97xe was the most boring, unmusical cartridge I've ever heard. I sold it to a fellow AC member who, I believe, has resold it again. How Stereopile ever gave this cart a highly recommended badge has me perplexed.

I never listened personally to the M97xe but I heard comments both ways and do remember reading the Stereophile review. I trust Wayner as he knows what he is talking.

The main thing to remember regarding the SME 3009 tonearm, is that the built in VTF adjustment setup will only go up to 1.5 grams. Now, if you have a weight scale you can push a little higher. Equally important is not to fit a heavy cartridge! I will stay bellow 7 grams. Anything heavier and you may be out of range with the (standard) "rotating balance weight".

Another great improvement you can do to a SME 3009 is to change the crappy output plug for female RCA's, and also change the internal tonearm wiring. I believe you can still get these original  SME "conversion" kits. I did mine about nine years ago...big improvement. 

Alex

       

 

[Fido2]

Awesome news Alex. That was my next question..tonearm wiring. I was planning on sending mine to SMEtonearms.com in Canada for a complete rewire with Cardas golden wire. I am glad to hear it makes a huge difference.

[AlexG]

You don't need to spend a ton of money...do a google search (SME 3009 rewire/rca conversion) and you will find many choices. There was a vendor here in the US that carried the original SME kits and original parts for the 3009, and I don't remember the name at this point. The current SME distributor does not carry these original kits for older tonearms. However, I know SME-England manufactured them until recently-or still does.

Alex
 

[Scottdazzle]

Britaudio did a great job of rewiring my 3009 with Cardas wire for $139.  Go to this page:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtnrm&1253239128