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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

Showing 2 responses by heyraz

heyraz OP
177 posts
 
Much food for thought, thank you all. It is apparent that the cartridge comes first and that the Denon 103 is more demanding than I first thought. Since I will most likely use my Grado Statement Sonata 1 for at least a short while, does anyone have anything to say about the SME (preferably non improved) 3009 arms in general vs the Rega models? From what I can see, the SME arms look easier to adjust than the Rega's. I also like the SME's 2 knife edges vs the Rega, which appears to be bearing supported on only one side.
All the bells and whistles aside, how do Rega arms (with upgrades if necessary) stack up against the SME 3009? Has anyone listened and compared?
heyraz OP
177 posts
 
Dekay-I only considered "that" Denon because it always seemed to come up in discussions as though it were a "gold standard cartridge" of sorts. Since that's not such a great concern to me anymore, at least for the moment, I am still looking for a tonearm that will mate well with the Garrard 301 and allow me to use my Grado Sonata. Admittedly having little experience in this matter, it seems VTA adjustment and tonearm height will be a factor given the 301 chassis sits so high above the plinth, (roughly 14mm by my estimate), and the platter even higher. My guess is that a raised armboard would be the preferred method of roughing the height, with the final adjustment being done by the tonearm.
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