My first belt drive TT was a Connoisseur BD1. I used a Decca International arm with it.
I presume your SME mount is the oval cutout style. You are right that you can't find a cheap arm for this unless you get lucky and find an older SME (like a IIIs) at a good price.
Your only other option is to make a new plinth.
I have also owned a Thorens TD166. I think you will probably find that the BD is not a great improvement over the 166, just different. The advantage of the BD1 is that you can use any arm with it if you have an appropriate plinth top.
If it were up to me I would use the Thorens and try to mount a Rega arm on that. Replacement arm mounts are available on eBay, but installing one is not a simple operation. It would probably be easier to make a Rega plinth for the Connoisseur.
Good luck and happy listening!
I presume your SME mount is the oval cutout style. You are right that you can't find a cheap arm for this unless you get lucky and find an older SME (like a IIIs) at a good price.
Your only other option is to make a new plinth.
I have also owned a Thorens TD166. I think you will probably find that the BD is not a great improvement over the 166, just different. The advantage of the BD1 is that you can use any arm with it if you have an appropriate plinth top.
If it were up to me I would use the Thorens and try to mount a Rega arm on that. Replacement arm mounts are available on eBay, but installing one is not a simple operation. It would probably be easier to make a Rega plinth for the Connoisseur.
Good luck and happy listening!