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Tonearm Choice:SME or Rega?

I am refurbishing a Garrard 301 greased bearing TT but haven't decided on which tonearm to use. I like the classic beauty and design of the SME 3009 and all of the upgrades and options available, but I also have my eye on the Rega RB300. My current cartridge is a Grado Statement Sonata1, but I'll probably put something else on the Garrard when it's done, possibly a Denon 103 or other MC. I can be patient as I haven't built a new plinth yet, but I would like to have the tonearm in hand when I do. Words of advice from anyone with experience in these matters would be greatly appreciated, as well as other tonearm suggestions. So far, the 3009 is at the top of my list, so my budget is under $1000.
heyraz
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
The problem with tone arms is that they tend to work better with specific cartridges. If you said that you were going to be using the Grado, I would suggest an SMElll, also known as an SME 3009 Series 3. But that won't cut the mustard with the Denon 103. The effective mass of the Series 3 is only about 5 grams. Just won't work. The Rega and 3009 are both in the 9 gram range, with the 3009 improved being around 6 grams. I know that many report using Denon's in Rega arms, but it is not optimal. That's why the Zu Denon cartridges, which are designed on the Rega arms, add so much weight at the headshell, to get the effective mass where it belongs with this cartridge, at around 15 grams. Which, funny enough is right where the SME 3012 sits, and with a bit of careful shopping, I imagine that you could get one for right around $1000.00. The Ortofon arms would be another alternative that are historically correct and high mass if using low compliance cartridges, 103, EMT, Ortofon SPU, etc. Then again, I think that you have to really be sure of cartridge choice before taking the plunge.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
Following are the average effective mass ratings for the SME 3009 series.

As you can see there are quite a few versions and I did not even include the 3009 series III (very low mass).

SME 3009 Series II Improved (fixed headshell) 6.5g
SME 3009 Series II S2 Improved (detachable headshell) 9.5g
SME 3009 Series II (detachable headshell) 12.5g
SME 3009R (detachable headshell) 12.7g

The heavier 12.5g series II is often referred to as the "non-improved" for identification purposes.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Here's the chart that I always use, excellent because it not only includes the 3012s but also some useful hints on how to tell the difference between the arms:

http://www.analogue-classics.com/html/sme_3009___3012.html
mosin
410 posts
 
I know it isn't camp these days, but an Audio-Technica 1005 MK11 will give you exactly the effective mass that you need for the Denon 103. It really isn't a bad tonearm.

I have the SME 3009 Series II Improved, and I wouldn't even consider it for the Denon. I wouldn't use any of the others, either.

Another candidate within the price range is the Stax UA7. It has very nice bearings and an effective mass of 16 grams. You can fix that with a heavy headshell.

...just some random thoughts
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