Scott: Dekay is right. If I remember correctly, the SME arm is a 3009. And when I said that I hadn't set up the "unit" yet, I hope I wasn't unclear: I meant hooking up the whole turntable to my system, not the tonearm -- the SME is already installed. I think the guy who sold the Thorens to me may have included the original tonearm as well, but it's all packed away in storage right now so I can't quite check.
Dekay: when you suggest the Linn felt mat, you mean the mat that the record rests upon, right? Where can I find one and how much can I expect to pay? I think I'm still kind of incompetent at DIY stuff, even if it only involves tracing a circle on felt and cutting it out. You suggest upgrading the interconnects, as well. I wasn't given any in the package, but I've been saving a Coincident IC that was recommended to me when I had more cash available. Do you think this cable would be too unflatteringly neutral for the Thorens? Are there any ICs usually mated with Thorens? I'll ask Steve at the Cable Co. next time I talk to him, too. What I'm really concerned about are the female RCAs on the TT: They are old, and not gold plated. Where can I go to update these connections? Lastly, the ground wire has a few knicks and cuts in its shielding, and if I remember correctly, some wire is exposed. Does it matter sound-wise if I just wrap some electrician's tape around these spots, or would you recommend replacing the wire entirely? Would radio shack wire do the job _well_, or are there proven audiophile ground wires, too?
Thank you all very much for your input.
--Steve
