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12" Tonearm What Have You Heard & Recommend?

OK, SME just came out with their 312S 12" beauty. It is a three series.... at $2200. Anybody had an opportunity to hear this yet? What about anything else you have experienced in the past classic or "Legend" status? I am looking for candidates for my Garrard 301 project with a custom plinth with a high fun per dollar ratio. Possibly with a London Decca super gold....What cha' got there tonemaster?
jomoinc

Showing 2 responses by bigbucks5

bigbucks5
184 posts
 
"DaVinci Audio 12" Grandezza Arm"

Maybe, but in the USA it is hugely expensive...more than a Schroeder Reference, I think.
bigbucks5
184 posts
 
I have an SME 312 that I bought about a year ago (but haven't mounted/listened to it yet). It came off a JR Transrotor and was branded as such. It looks very well made and has a removable headshell, which I appreciate for ease of cartridge mounting/removal.

I am currently using an Ikeda IT407 which is a great tonearm and probably the best built/most atractive arm around (the quality is phenomenal) and looks so different than most of today's arms, many of which look like kits to some degree or another. The Ikeda also has a removable headshell. I'm using it with a Benz Ruby 3H and it does the job.

I think you'd be happy with either one, but certainly the Ikeda is a superior arm for the money, since you can buy one for around $2700 vs the $2200 for the SME. I bought my used 312 for $650, so at that price it is no contest.
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