In the world of high-fidelity vinyl playback, few components are as iconic as the SME 3009 Series II Improved tonearm. Built with exquisite British engineering and used on everything from Linn LP12s to Thorens TD160s, it was long considered the gold standard of tonearms in the 1970s and early 80s. But as technology and materials have evolved, so too have modern tonearms, many of which now outperform older designs in specific areas — especially when paired with modern moving coil (MC) cartridges.
Modern arms tend to be straight rather than curved, tapered to reduce resonant modes, and often constructed from carbon fiber or composite alloys. These advances make them stiffer, lighter in critical areas, and better at managing internal vibrations. Yet if you own an SME 3009 S2 Improved, don’t despair. With two simple upgrades totaling under $50, you can significantly improve its performance, especially for MC cartridges, and bring it in line with far more expensive modern alternatives.
Let’s look at how.
Hack One. Add a Fluid Damping System. The SME 3009 S2 Improved was often sold without the fluid damping kit, a small reservoir mounted just behind the pivot point with a paddle that dips into silicone oil. This upgrade is essential for one simple reason: Fluid damping controls both vertical and lateral oscillations, especially with low-compliance MC cartridges that can cause the arm to resonate out of control at low frequencies.
What It Does: Adds resistance to uncontrolled arm motion, particularly warp-induced or footfall vibrations. Prevents overshoot and bounce during stylus deflection. Helps maintain cartridge stability, improving tracking and bass performance.
The Result: Expect tighter low-end, clearer mids, and far better handling of dynamic grooves or warped records. You can buy aftermarket damping kits online for $30–45, and push into place installation takes just minutes.
These pics are of my refurbed TD160 and its upgraded SME 3009
Hack Two. Dampen the Counterweight Interface. Here’s a lesser-known trick that yields outsized benefits: Spray three to five thin coats of Plasti Dip or similar rubberized compound onto the mating surface of the counterweight - the flat face that meets the tonearm stub.
Why does this help? Because the SME tonearm is a metal tube with a rigid metal stub. Without damping, vibrations travel down the tube, hit the counterweight junction, and reflect straight back, forming standing waves. These resonant reflections can cloud midrange clarity and smear transient detail.
The Physics: Mechanical impedance mismatch at the arm/counterweight interface causes high reflection of vibrational energy. Damping the junction introduces loss into the system, turning vibrational energy into heat (Not much and it's absorbed by the counterweight). This reduces energy buildup, minimizing resonance. With Plasti Dip applied, our analysis suggests a drop from 70% to 25% in reflected energy, flattening frequency peaks and cleaning up the signal path. The result is a blacker background, improved midrange definition, and greater focus. This tweak costs less than $10 and takes 10 minutes to apply. Just mask the rest of the counterweight, spray lightly in three coats, and let dry fully before reinstalling.
Before vs. After: What to Expect When these two upgrades are combined: You tame vertical and lateral resonance with the fluid damper. You suppress reflected internal vibration with counterweight damping. Together, they elevate the arm's compatibility with MC cartridges and tighten overall performance. In our tests (and supported by the resonance build-up models), these upgrades reduce the resonance footprint, improve timing, and restore tonal balance.
Your SME 3009 goes from vintage classic to high-performance contender for under $50.
If you love the look, feel, and heritage of the SME 3009 S2 Improved, but want to match it with high-performance modern cartridges, these two tweaks are your shortcut. No need for a $3000 tonearm or $1,000 upgrades to your SME, these simple, easy to do hacks will give you 80% of the benefit for 5% of the cost. They are also reversible, they haven't cost the earth and can be removed in minutes. So why not give them a try?
I've used both hacks on all my SME arms and I've really noticed the before and after difference. It makes the sound deeper, richer and the increased level of detail expands the soundstage. Frankly, I was amazed that such a simple changes could make such a difference. I appreciate that I could probably get more incremental gain by spending more but these hacks work for me.
To get the same benefit, you just need a cheap 3D printed aftermarket fluid damping kit, a can of Plasti Dip, some masking tape and 30 minutes of your time. The SME might have been designed in another era, but with the right damping, it can sing in this one. Your ears (and wallet) will thank you.