Bronze knife edge bearing for SME 3009/3010/3012 tonearms
The Analog Tube Audio bronze knife edge bearing offers an excellent and outstanding upgrade for the SME 3009, 3010 and 3012 tonearms. The bronze bearing are made from a high quality bronze alloy, these bronze alloy is used for high precision parts such as swiss made watches and mechanical parts for aerospace. These special bronze alloy give this bearing the magnificent properties. These bearings are precisely crafted with a great effort on swiss made high precision CNC-milling machines.
The customized bronze knife edge bearing supports with these excellent tonearms a much higher overall perfomance. Also the critics of these tonearms must be satisfied with these upgraded tonearms. The bronze knife edge bearing is compatible with all classical models of 3009, 3010 and 3012 tonearms.
Please note, the bronze knife edge bearing doesn’t fit on the SME 3009-3, because the construction of this tonearm is different to classical 3009 tonearm. No doubt, these bearings are the highest quality product on the market.
Installing the bronze knife edge bearing: You don´t need to be an expert for the mounting, all what you need is a small flat blade screw driver and a tweezer or a toothpick. The enclosed mounting procedure explains all steps very detailed. The job will be done in around 5-15 minutes. In case of occuring questions, please feel free to contact me. Personal service 24 hours/7 days.
Each RCA Conversion Kit comes with high quality silver tin-solder and step by step mounting instructions with detailed pictures. We also mount the RCA Conversion Kit on your tonearm for you.
Review: TNT-Audio - Bronze knife edge bearing
Do I recommend the bronze bearing ? Yes!
When used with the bronze bearing, the SME 3009R sticks up to the old war horse SME3009-2 of the sixties from musicality, better said flow and naturalness. Until now, it was a decision of heart for Garrard or Verdier owners: do I take the old SME 3012/2 which sounds so musical, or the new SME3012RM which sounds cleaner, but also “cold”. Most folks, who know the differences opt for the old tonearm when they have the opportunity to get one in good condition. Do I recommend the bronze bearing ? Yes! Owners of a SME3009R with plastic knife edge bearing, who always thought of upgrading to metal knife edge bearing, they now get an option, which is both cheaper (about 30% less) and sonically more rewarding. But the bearing upgrade is also interesting for owners of the SME3009RM with steel knife edge bearings, as the sonic benefits are way beyond that which you can buy for the same investment in cartridges.
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...perfect finish, great sound… (H. Elbert, Germany)
Product(s): Bronze knife edge bearing
The bronze bearing is a nice product. Perfect finish, great sound, affordable price. And it is definitely not that difficult to attach it.
...superior quality… (CL Chew, Malaysia)
Product(s): RCA Conversion Kit
Robert is a really great guy to deal with, very helpful and patient. The RCA Conversion Kit was well packed and it sure is of superior quality. Thanks. CL Chew
The improvement is very clear… (Peter Overbosch, Germany)
Product(s): Bronze knife edge bearing|Bronze Groundplate|RCA Conversion Kit|Pure Silver Hair Wire
I replaced the TP90 on my Thorens with a SME3009/II Improved from Ebay and decided to have it immediately upgraded with the bronze base, bearing and new arm wiring. The improvement is very clear, it looks great and it has given me back the exitement in analogue. Warmly recommended.
...viel klanglichen Aufwind… (Michael Dahnelt, Germany)
was soll ich sagen, mir fehlen fast die Worte für eine Beschreibung des Fortschritts den man mit Ihrem Bronzeschneidenlager und der Bronzegrundplatte erzielt. Das Ergebnis muss als veritables Superschnäppchen gewertet werden, ebenso als Glücksfall. Da bekommt man für kleines Geld viel klanglichen Aufwind. Ich höre mehr Details, alles ist durchhörbarer geworden, aber ohne Analytik und Nervigkeiten. Die Bronzegrundplatte verbessert den SME 3012 in den Tiefenlagen enorm. Bassläufe werden klarer, der Bass spielt jetzt tiefer und mit viel mehr Druck. Das gesamte Ergebnis ist absolute Spitze. Jeder, und ich meine Jeder, sollte sich die Bronze Tweaks von Analog Tube Audio gönnen. Der neue Tonabnehmer kann später immer noch gekauft werden, falls überhaupt noch nötig. So habe ich die Musik noch nicht erlebt. Herr Graetke, Sie haben einen sehr zufriedenen Kunden mehr !!
P.S.: Nochmal ganz herzlichen Dank für Ihren herausragenden Service, der ist heute nicht mehr üblich und gerade deswegen ein dickes Lob wert. Machen Sie weiter So! weiter.
Danke für dieses Kleinod… (Lothar Hoffmann, Germany)
am Samstag ist das Bronzeschneidenlager angekommen, sofort eingebaut und mir öffnete sich eine neue Klangwelt. Alle Instrumente und Stimmen waren plötzlich fast wie Vorhanden um meine Lautsprecher! Danke für dieses Kleinod. Endlich mal wieder eine positive Maßnahme!
If it looks great, it sounds even better (Peter Clark – Arizona, USA)
“Replacing the plastic bearing on my 3012R was a five minute job. I spent longer disengaging the tonearm from the system than it took to change the bearing. The increase in dynamics and channel separation is startling. There is also an increase in detail without making my Ortofon SPU** sound “hi-fi.” I completely and unhesitatingly recommend this upgrade. I’m getting another for my 3009.”
Splendid product! (Akira Tagaya, Tokyo, Japan)
With the original plastic bearing in my SME 3012R all I got was a lumpy, lazy bass with severely rolled-off highs. I’d almost regretted buying this arm till I heard of this “magical” upgrade on TNT-Audio. Now the low end actually resembles notes and music instead of wobbling and my cheapo audio-technica MM is listenable for once. Thank you! (Akira Tagaya, Tokyo, Japan)