Today I finished a restoration of a SME 3012 S2. The tonearm was build in the early sixties and has a low 4-digit serial number. The 3012 is prepared to use on a Thorens TD124 with an Ortofon SPU. The tonearm was fully disassembled, cleaned, the internal tonearm wire is changed, the ball bearings got a rejuvenating all all was precisely mounted and adjusted.
Continue reading Restoration: SME 3012 S2 (early version)
All posts by Robert Graetke
Special offer: MCT Switchable
Only a few exemplars of the MCT Switchable are still available. More information about the MCT Switchable can be found here: MC-Übertrager “switchable”
Price: 960,00 Euro ( 806,72 Euro excl. 19% MwSt.)
The prices do not include shipping costs and customs clearance if this becomes necessary.
Restoration SME 3009 S2 improved
This SME 3009 S2 improved came in reasonably good condition, but with many missing parts to the service, the tonearm was completely disassembled, cleaned, the bearings were refurbished, the internal wiring was renewed. Afterwards the tonearm was precisely mounted and adjusted.
The connection terminal was also not present, so the 5-pin Conversion Kit H Kit was mounted to operate the tonearm with already existing phono cables. after such a procedure, the tonearm is again complete and in excellent condition.
Bronze groundplate xh
The Gronze Groundplate xh (extra high) is specially designed for a Garrard 301/401. The Bronze Groundplate xh elevate the SME 3009/3012 to the optimal level so that the VTA can be adjusted optimally.
The Bronze Groundplate xh is not a common spacer, but a stable and solid foot for the SME tonearms. The SME 3009/3012 is firmly screwed to the bronze groundplate and for adjustment the complete tonearm including the bronze groundplate is moved. The tonearm can be moved by 12mm (+/-+6mm) for adjustment.
Restoration SME 3012-R
I just restored this beautiful SME 3012-R. The tonearm got the bronze knife edge bearing MK3, a new internal wiring with Continue reading Restoration SME 3012-R
Wow&Flutter improvement with the Kokomo Kit MK3
Kokomo Kit 301 MK3 für Garrard 301
Some weeks ago Jaap Pees from Hanze Hifi sent me these pictures of a restored Garrard 301. The Garrard is beautifully restored and, as the measurement results show, with a perfect result. Nonetheless, it is noticeable that after the installation of the Kokomo Kit 301 Mk3, the wow&flutter is improved by about 50% compared to the original thrust bearing.
New connector kit for SME 3009/3012 and M2 tonarms
There is now a new connector kit for the SME 3009/3012 tonearms, as well as for the SME M2/9 and M2/12 tonearms available. The new 5-pin kit horizontal is the optimal solution for turntables with a limited height and therefore no room to plug the connectors from the bottom. This solution needs only a depth of 65mm. Another advantage of this solution is, that the tonearm can be operated both fully balanced and unbalanced. The operating mode depends only on the configuration of the phono cable.
… I did it again!
I did it again and build a small batch of these fantastic “MCT switchable”. These MC-transformer can switched between low and high impedance and is with these features more compatible to MC-cartridges. Only one “MC switchable” is left and available!
…a very special Sun Audio SV-2A3
It should be a very “normal” Sun Audio triode amp, which can be operated with 2A3 and also with a 300B as power triodes, as I have built it many times before. But then all came differently! Carsten Bussler had the idea that he would like to use his collection of 2A3H. At this time the power amp was already completely assembled, tuned and played perfectly. Then the new journey with the 2A3H started! It was not so easy to integrate these power triode into the Uchida. More details and pictures can be found on the blog of Carsten Bussler – 2A3 Maniac strikes back
…the beginning is the conversation… (G. Funke, Germany)
Actually I had already planned to buy a new tonearm, but then I remembered again the website of Mr. Graetke. I was a bit sceptical, but after the first phone call my doubts were gone. Very competent, friendly and fair, I felt I was in good hands there. Now the tonearm has been tuned, remounted and the tonearm cable has been installed and it only remains to say: great cinema, my expectations have been exceeded by far! It is not necessary to go into detail at this point, because the tonearm is now better in all details. Price/performance: Mr. Graetke’s work and the resulting sound are worth every cent. I can only recommend every doubter to contact Mr. Graetke and let his knowledge and craftsmanship flow into his own tone arm.
Product(s): Service für SME 3009 Series 2 improved, Bronze-Schneidenlager Mk3, Pure Silver Hair Wire