RARE VERSION SME 3012 S2 TONEARM BOXED, CARDAS REWIRE, SERVICED
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:586284 | Model: 3012 S2 |
| MPN: Does Not Apply | Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom |
| Brand: SME | EAN: Does not apply |
A Boxed SME 3012 S2 Split Counter Weight Tonearm in superb Electrical, Cosmetic and Mechanical condition
Cardas Rewired, Serviced and Recommissioned
This is an opportunity to acquire a beautiful (early but upgraded version - see below) SME 3012 S2 which has had a Cardas Rewire upgrade, been Recommissioned and is complete with EVERYTHING YOU NEED to install and set it up immediately.
I have carried out a full internal upgrade rewire using superb Cardas Litz Wire. The Bayo...net Assembly was examined prior to the rewire and the all important Bayonet Plunger Contact Pins were found to be in perfect working order. The Sprung Pins are straight and operate correctly without any sticking or resistance.
This 3012 has the Split Counter Weight with the highly desirable fully adjustable end Weight for maximum adjustment and flexibility when installing Cartridges - a label on the front top left of the Card Carton (see photo of label) states
"This Arm has the latest balance system for minimum inertia. A COMPANION BALANCE WEIGHT IS NOT REQUIREDOrtofon cartridges in G (plastic) shells should be transferred to SME S2 or S3 Shells"
I have never seen this label before and would surmise that being a very early 3012 at some point early in it life it was upgraded to the later more desirable split Counterweight specification by the Factory
The Interconnect is in excellent condition and it is fitted with Neutrik / Rean gold plated RCA Plugs.
This being an early SME 3012 the Elastic Coupling is the adjustable type, there is a slotted screw which is accessed by removing the end cap from the rear stub. There is no sag in the Counterweight AssemblyThe Pillar Bearings have been checked and performing absolutely perfectly without any play or stickiness. I have examined and cleaned the Metal Knife Edge Bearing and seating groove, both being in excellent condition. The Cueing Mechanism works absolutely perfectly (rare for an S2), lowering the Arm very slowly (about 8 seconds).
The SME Lightweight Headshell (S3 to give it the SME designation) is in excellent condition - it comes with Finger Lift, additional (flat silver) Weight, Audio Classique Cartridge Fixing Kit and Spacers (for Ortofon SPU Cartridges?). Please see photographs.
This 3012 S2 is Mechanically and (of course) Electrically superb, it is also in superb Cosmetic condition. You would need to be very fussy to find anything to comment on at all. There are just some slight blemishes to the top of one Acorn Nut.
Supplied with its original Card Carton and Polystyrene Inner Case - the Card Carton is good overall condition and the all important Polystyrene Inner Case is in perfect condition.
The Tonearm is supplied with all you need to install and immediately start to enjoy your 3012 S2.
Secondary Rider Weight for heavier Cartridge (these are often missing)Allen Key x 2 - (try getting the smaller of these outside of the UK)Good copies of an appropriate SME User Guide, Mounting Template & Alignment GuideAudio Classique Acrylic 10mm P1 Spacer - as this 3012 would probably be used with a Garrard 301 / 401 / Thorens TD124 Genuine SME Chrome Mounting Screws - Long versions to use with supplied P1 Spacer. Genuine SME Rubber Mounting Grommets (not fitted) and Stainless Steel Hard Washers - choose hard mount or washers Almost certainly the best 3012 S2 available with everything you need to fit and enjoy immediately upon receipt.
I have owned over 130 SME 3009s and 3012s and I have nearly 40 years of experience with them. Buy with confidence, I only sell the best and strive to ensure that you have everything you need to use your purchase straight away. All images are of the actual item for saleI do accept Paypal, but prefer payment (in GBP / £) by Cheque, Bank Transfer, Cash on Collection or Postal Order. I ship Worldwide: Please use the dropdown menu in Postage and Payment Details for prices
Cardas Rewired, Serviced and Recommissioned
This is an opportunity to acquire a beautiful (early but upgraded version - see below) SME 3012 S2 which has had a Cardas Rewire upgrade, been Recommissioned and is complete with EVERYTHING YOU NEED to install and set it up immediately.
I have carried out a full internal upgrade rewire using superb Cardas Litz Wire. The Bayo...net Assembly was examined prior to the rewire and the all important Bayonet Plunger Contact Pins were found to be in perfect working order. The Sprung Pins are straight and operate correctly without any sticking or resistance.
This 3012 has the Split Counter Weight with the highly desirable fully adjustable end Weight for maximum adjustment and flexibility when installing Cartridges - a label on the front top left of the Card Carton (see photo of label) states
"This Arm has the latest balance system for minimum inertia. A COMPANION BALANCE WEIGHT IS NOT REQUIREDOrtofon cartridges in G (plastic) shells should be transferred to SME S2 or S3 Shells"
I have never seen this label before and would surmise that being a very early 3012 at some point early in it life it was upgraded to the later more desirable split Counterweight specification by the Factory
The Interconnect is in excellent condition and it is fitted with Neutrik / Rean gold plated RCA Plugs.
This being an early SME 3012 the Elastic Coupling is the adjustable type, there is a slotted screw which is accessed by removing the end cap from the rear stub. There is no sag in the Counterweight AssemblyThe Pillar Bearings have been checked and performing absolutely perfectly without any play or stickiness. I have examined and cleaned the Metal Knife Edge Bearing and seating groove, both being in excellent condition. The Cueing Mechanism works absolutely perfectly (rare for an S2), lowering the Arm very slowly (about 8 seconds).
The SME Lightweight Headshell (S3 to give it the SME designation) is in excellent condition - it comes with Finger Lift, additional (flat silver) Weight, Audio Classique Cartridge Fixing Kit and Spacers (for Ortofon SPU Cartridges?). Please see photographs.
This 3012 S2 is Mechanically and (of course) Electrically superb, it is also in superb Cosmetic condition. You would need to be very fussy to find anything to comment on at all. There are just some slight blemishes to the top of one Acorn Nut.
Supplied with its original Card Carton and Polystyrene Inner Case - the Card Carton is good overall condition and the all important Polystyrene Inner Case is in perfect condition.
The Tonearm is supplied with all you need to install and immediately start to enjoy your 3012 S2.
Secondary Rider Weight for heavier Cartridge (these are often missing)Allen Key x 2 - (try getting the smaller of these outside of the UK)Good copies of an appropriate SME User Guide, Mounting Template & Alignment GuideAudio Classique Acrylic 10mm P1 Spacer - as this 3012 would probably be used with a Garrard 301 / 401 / Thorens TD124 Genuine SME Chrome Mounting Screws - Long versions to use with supplied P1 Spacer. Genuine SME Rubber Mounting Grommets (not fitted) and Stainless Steel Hard Washers - choose hard mount or washers Almost certainly the best 3012 S2 available with everything you need to fit and enjoy immediately upon receipt.
I have owned over 130 SME 3009s and 3012s and I have nearly 40 years of experience with them. Buy with confidence, I only sell the best and strive to ensure that you have everything you need to use your purchase straight away. All images are of the actual item for saleI do accept Paypal, but prefer payment (in GBP / £) by Cheque, Bank Transfer, Cash on Collection or Postal Order. I ship Worldwide: Please use the dropdown menu in Postage and Payment Details for prices
