Dah… say what now?
You heard me and no it’s not April Fool’s Day. Here’s the press release in full:
SME will exit the tonearm retail and OEM business with immediate effect shifting our focus on our core turntable and tonearm combination business. The decision to leave the tonearm business was not taken lightly, especially as we have played a key role in the design and development of the world’s best tonearms. The growth of our turntable business and commitment to higher production levels means that we cannot continue both streams.
SME has designed, engineered and manufactured tonearms for retail and OEM sales since 1959 and achieved international recognition as makers of the best pick-up arms in the world. This tradition of tonearm manufacturing will continue with the manufacture of our highly accredited tonearms for the purpose of coupling with our comprehensive range of high-end precision turntables in which SME will be expanding in 2020.
Whilst no new orders for individual tonearms will be accepted from the issue date of this product announcement, all obligations of the warranty will be honoured. Factory service and spare parts support for tonearm owners will continue.
The upshot is that they’re still making tonearms but only to be sold on their turntables. You want an SME V? Buy a 20/3. It’s truly surreal. I feel like I should have seen this on the front page of the Times. The impeachment hearings should have been interrupted for this news. I mean WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK? There are only three eternal truths right? Death, taxes, and SME makes great tonearms. What turntables are SME tonearms on Davey? How about… ALL OF THEM. ALL OF THE TURNTABLES.
Just amazing. I have an M2-9 I was thinking about selling. Holding onto that puppy now you best believe that. Collectors item innit?
