SME 309 or SME 3009r?


I have both arms. My turntable is an Avid Sequel. My cartridge is a Benz LP. I want to rewire one of the arms, but don't know which would sound best. I currently have the 309 on the table so I know how that one performs. I've had the 3009r for quite sometime just sitting on a shelf. It's in terrific shape and the person who gave it to me, and has since passed away, thought it would outperform the 309. Does anyone have an informed opinion? Thanks.

neptune123

Showing 1 response by dogberry

A V is not a IV with extra bits added: the IV is a V with bits deleted! The V came out before the IV (by about 18 months), and the reviews at the time quoted AR-A saying that a V was handmade with selected parts, whilst the IV was assembled with off-the-line parts, unselected. So you might get a IV as good as a V, but lacking a VTA screw, VTF dial and damping trough.

A 309 was a IV with a detachable headshell. An M10 was a 309 with a simpler mount.

And that's all you need to know!