The Syrinx LE1 was the bottom of the Syrinx line, their offering in the "budget" arena, and unlike Rega they weren't geared up to mass-produce, crucial in that low-margin market. Quality control was all over the place.
I have and still use the better Syrinx PU3 and it's superb. It beat the SME 309 (IME) — the 309 is a pricey high-end arm — in a strict head-to-head comparison. And I didn't want it to, so there was no confirmation bias. It destroyed the RB300.
I've not heard the Zeta, but it was reputed to be competitive with the PU3, one the "super arms" UK seemed to produce in abundance during vinyl's so-called Golden Age.
Viridian's suggestion is a very good one, and he notes the Oracle/SME connection. SME made an arm specially for Oracle, though it was a variant of their TOTL V, as is the 309. Again, I've not heard the M2-9 but I've owned several SME arms and they never disappoint.
I have and still use the better Syrinx PU3 and it's superb. It beat the SME 309 (IME) — the 309 is a pricey high-end arm — in a strict head-to-head comparison. And I didn't want it to, so there was no confirmation bias. It destroyed the RB300.
I've not heard the Zeta, but it was reputed to be competitive with the PU3, one the "super arms" UK seemed to produce in abundance during vinyl's so-called Golden Age.
Viridian's suggestion is a very good one, and he notes the Oracle/SME connection. SME made an arm specially for Oracle, though it was a variant of their TOTL V, as is the 309. Again, I've not heard the M2-9 but I've owned several SME arms and they never disappoint.