original sme steel replacement bearing for 3012R

[J.D.]

In a word, yes.
A gain in weight, resolution, focus and sophistication over the stock nylon bearing that the 3012r comes with.

NYLON, STEEL, BRONZE
Haven't tried the bronze one from Analog Tube Audio (which also gets good reviews), but this optional-equipment Sme steel upgrade is great. Wouldn't go back to the nylon for any reason, for a single second.

The increases in vividness, dimensionality, make you consider that the arms --3009r, 3010r, 3012r --- were sold with the plasticky bearing as a 'place-holder' ..... because the cost with the hardened steel one priced out some segment of a market that could otherwise be counted in. So --guessing-- they appear to have opted to market a low performance version that could be brought to the (actual design) heights of the steel fitting, but after the original purchase.

Regardless, this makes a very high-end tonearm out of a competent one. And finally completes the all-steel (bearing + armtube) promise of the original Series One assembly.

From the Olde Analogy Shoppe : ever buy a pair of eyeglass frames on a whim, before you've had lenses made ? They come with a clear plastic 'stand-in' lens, just to fill the space. The change to optical glass is ---obviously-- a game changer. That's kind of the vibe between nylon bearing to sme-steel. Well, nearly that.

[LPfan]

Does this apply to the SME3012II also ?

Regards,

LPfan
_________________
Music is a universal language.

[Alec124c41]

I bought a bronze bearing from Taiwan for my 3009 II improved (detachable headshell). An excellent upgrade. Carts that sounded very good sound exquisite.
The only down side: the arm-lift slide was molded to the plastic bearing, so I have to use the finger-lift until I work out what I'm going to do about it.
If you have a 3012 with the plastic bearing, I recommend replacing it. Note that replacing it in 5 minutes assumes that you, like Shiva, have 4 arms.

Cheers,
Alec

[jon tiltman]

[LPfan]

@JT

Thanks for the confirmation

Regards,

LPfan
_________________
Music is a universal language.

[LPfan]

Hi J D,

One more question. How would you rate the SME 3012II as compared to 3012R with the steel bearing upgrade? The major difference between the two arms being aluminium armtube on the II against ss tube on the R.

Am asking this qustion as somebody is offering on the bay ss tubes that dimensionally match the 3012II tube. I am wondering whether this is a real upgrade or not.

Regards,

LPfan
_________________
Music is a universal language.

[J.D.]

Can't speak for the "II" but can speak for the "I" and the steel "R"...

I has a touch more authority and R a touch more sophisticated delivery, if that makes sense. Both have steel knife-edge (though not the same part) and both have stainless tube (a substantial one for the I and a thin-wall update for the R).

Armtube .... For me, at least, I'd be disinclined to trust an ebay aftermarket armtube, given that it's almost certainly not been subjected to the elaborate testing Sme was known for, or the long product development of the legit Sme branded arms (eg thirty yrs from the I to the R...)

Sme, of course, had guys in white labcoats and machines that go 'ping'.
Don't think they have those behind the scenes at Ebay Labs.
J.

[Alec124c41]

SME 3009 II imp. with bronze bearing seemed a bit in my face, so I put a strip of Dynamat, about 2 mm wide x 2 cm long on the bottom, just ahead of the lifter. Sounds pretty good. I suspect the nylon bearing with lift arms had some damping properties.

Cheers,
Alec