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HELP I Need advice SME 3009 vs. 309

I took the analog dive 1 month ago, I purchased a Vpi Hw19 mkII it came with a Sme 3009 arm. Don't applaud yet the problem is, before I even listened to this table,( I have No cartridge and have no Idea where to start) I ran across a deal for a SME 309 tone arm with a vpi acrylic armboard, I was wondering in you analog guy's in your infinite wisdom would help me ....should I sell the sme 3009 in favor of the 309? I want to use the Denon D103 but my preamp Conrad Johnson Pv10a is not quite up to snuff for this cartridge,,,a whole other story,,my question is this ,,given the fact I am going to fully upgrade this table over the course of time is the 3009 worth me upgrading with or should I jump on the 309?...is the 309 that much better and any suggestions on a Good cartrige in the $300-$400 range I also like the Dynavector 20x H ( hi-output)..etc,,, one last thing the preamp I want to use is the Pv10a for now but I also own the pv14L I plan on ordering the monolithic PS1 but the Denon 103 still causes problems as the CJ with the Monolithic doesn't offer enough gain( CJ pre's aren't the most quiet,,, please offer me some suggestions,,,,
braab8
dr_joe
160 posts
 
I'd recommend staying for now with what you have and adding a quality high output MM cartridge, like a Reson Reca (in effect a hotrodded Goldring 1042) or one of the Clearaudio MM models.

Assuming the 3009 is in good condition, it's still a quality arm that will handle both MM and MC cartridges well.

Let your ears guide you for at least a while before spending more money.
twl
3,251 posts
 
The older 309 is a better match for a DL103 than the newer 309 or the 3009. The older 309 had more mass. Getting the DL103 will mean changing your phono stage and arm, and could be alot of trouble and expense. While I like the 103, you may find happiness with something like Dr. Joe says above, or other high output cart.
braab8 OP
56 posts
 
Thanx Twl.. I started researching even more and in another threads you mentioned that VPI TT's can be "heavy sounding " or thick sounding, remember auditioning this table and that
adjective came to mind and kind of stuck with me,( the cartridge was a Shure V15 III ou?..so I am leaning more toward a dynavector either 10X4 mkII. or just going all out
and getting the 20XH, like I said I plan on keeping this TT atleast 2-3 years till I upgrade it to Mk4 status..maybe longer if I add an Origin Live arm ...what I want to know is should I go with the 10X Or 20X,,will the TT show me all there is to be had with the 10..or is there more to be had with the 20X,,again the tonearm is the SME 3009 (it's the older "S" type arm. Thanx for all your advice
Jeff

Please shed some light on the Origin live tonearm (silver)
Is it REALLY that good?...I mean isn't it just a Rega 250?
explain what I might expect with this tonearm on the VPI..
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