3009 S2 Early

About the 3009 S2 Early

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.