If you are looking at a 9" arm you might want to look at the Ortofon TA 110. I just got one for my Garrard 301 restoration project. I haven't heard it yet because I'm early in the restoration but the service that is restoring my 301 says this Ortofon matches well with both the Garrards and the Thorens 124. You should be able to pick up a used TA 110 for $800 - $900.
SME Series III or SME 3009
I have an SME Series III arm with an Ortofon SME 30H cartridge I use with a Thorens TD 160 BC II turntable. I'd like to buy a TD 124 just because I think they're so handsome and I lusted after one since the 50s when I first became interested in audio. But most of the TD 124 I see listed come with SME 3009 arms. Would a 3009 be a step up or down or sideways from a Series III? The Series III is handsome and entertaining in itself with its weight suspended over a pulley.
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