Fujindemon: I just recently went through the same transformation - I have 600 great CD's and I haven't listend to one of them since I went analog 2 months ago (I'm sure I'll go back to them, but I am considering ditching my cd's where an analog version of the title is available.
As to your dilemma, first, I'd say that the rb300 is definitely worth it. It's a fine arm at any price. I also got a glider from elusive and I am very happy with it. If you can afford both, go for it. However, if money is an issue, your priorities should be 1. Turntable; 2. tonearm; and, 3. cartridge. I believe the arm will have a bigger impact on sonic quality and you will still have it when it's time to replace the cartridge, perhaps with a glider (or better!)
As to the output, I wrestled with the same quandry. If you only have a moving magnet phono stage, then the high output is really the only way to go. People will tell you that the .8mV will work fine with such a phono stage, but you will really have to crank the volume to a point at which you will get lots of noise in your music. The .3mV is great, but you should have a phono stage with at least 60dB of gain (or more). Any less will require cranking the volume. Finally, most moving coil phono stages give from 55dB to 64dB gain, with most being at the lower end. If yours is below 60dB, get the .8mV cartridge and you will be very happy. In short, you should select your cartridge output according to the capability of your phono pre. Hope this helps.
As to your dilemma, first, I'd say that the rb300 is definitely worth it. It's a fine arm at any price. I also got a glider from elusive and I am very happy with it. If you can afford both, go for it. However, if money is an issue, your priorities should be 1. Turntable; 2. tonearm; and, 3. cartridge. I believe the arm will have a bigger impact on sonic quality and you will still have it when it's time to replace the cartridge, perhaps with a glider (or better!)
As to the output, I wrestled with the same quandry. If you only have a moving magnet phono stage, then the high output is really the only way to go. People will tell you that the .8mV will work fine with such a phono stage, but you will really have to crank the volume to a point at which you will get lots of noise in your music. The .3mV is great, but you should have a phono stage with at least 60dB of gain (or more). Any less will require cranking the volume. Finally, most moving coil phono stages give from 55dB to 64dB gain, with most being at the lower end. If yours is below 60dB, get the .8mV cartridge and you will be very happy. In short, you should select your cartridge output according to the capability of your phono pre. Hope this helps.
