Faradayblue, I'm not saying it's not worth upgrading, I'm saying it's not worth the expense of current SMEs. A Rega RB250 will give you a great leap in performance over the Thorens arm for a fraction of the price of those SMEs you listed, with an arguably equivalent sound quality. I buy old classics all the time and tweak them to their best performance, but there is a limit beyond which it is no longer economically feasible. If you have the cash, and aren't attached to your 'table emotionally, then for the price of the arms you listed you could get quite a serious rig, or even one of the new Thorenses which come with Rega arms included, the 850 particularly getting good reviews, a true high-end 'table, and selling new for $900 including Rega arm, though you wouldn't recognize it as a Thorens. I'm not sure if you're aware, but the cheapest SME you list sells for $1550. Since you have lived with the Thorens for so long, then it is not an issue of money, but of enjoyment and quality. The Rega arms will stand up in the company of the SMEs without embarrassment sonically and give you more than you expect. If you need some good info on Thorens 'tables, the best website I've found so far is at http://www.xs4all.nl/~rabruil/td124page.html, which has a section towards the end on various Thorens 'tables and their build quality/value. Good Luck.
