Difference between SME 3009 VS. RB 300?

...mmm it's actually a great match with TD160 to use SME3009.

I confirm Mara's point above. I had a 160/3009, eons ago, and was sonically happy with the combo.

Goroi: There were different versions of the 3009 (the later/lighter versions will limit the types of cartridges that can be matched up). Because of this I would not go beyond a 3009II (non-improved version) if considering this arm (from there on the mass was reduced). The 3009R has a fixed headshell and is a bit more solid, though I find the azimuth adjustment on the 3009II (non-improved) to come in handy.

I am also curious about the Rega arms (the modded 250 seems to be the most popular) and only ended up with the 3009II as it was included with my current deck @ a price that I could not pass up ($199 for a TD125 MkII/SME 3009II combo).

What I would really like (down the road) is an arm that has adjustable VTA, on the fly (this would make me a happy camper). I wonder if such a mod is available for the Rega arms?

Dekay, there are several VTA adjusters available for all the Rega arms. But, they are not "on the fly" adjustable. Origin Live and Express Machining both make them, and I think there are others. Typical price is around $40. Not the easiest thing to use, but does the job. If you could design an "on the fly" adjuster for the Rega arms, you could retire on the money you'd make off of it.

Audiogoners,thanks a lot for the information....
Curiously, Jonjacques,what happened with the extensive comparisons?