Is the SME 3009 as good as a modern pick-up arm?
Bearing in mind that many of you own these arms it seems reasonable to use them. With a good cartridge and deck they can put a top grade CD player to shame. If however, they need updating and repair work this needs to be weighed in the balance against the cost of the modern pick-up arm, be it from REGA or SME themselves. As we said to someone recently, it would not be correct to say the RB300 sounded no better than the SME. After consideration, he replied the SME pleased him better. Many of you have found the ideal answer in the SME series 4 and 5 albeit at a price. The best of all worlds is the most recent SME 12 inch arm but remember they need a larger plinth. To us the 3009 is best with the 401. An early 301 can sound very dull with the 3009.
