12" Tonearm What Have You Heard & Recommend?

I have an SME 312 that I bought about a year ago (but haven't mounted/listened to it yet). It came off a JR Transrotor and was branded as such. It looks very well made and has a removable headshell, which I appreciate for ease of cartridge mounting/removal.

I am currently using an Ikeda IT407 which is a great tonearm and probably the best built/most atractive arm around (the quality is phenomenal) and looks so different than most of today's arms, many of which look like kits to some degree or another. The Ikeda also has a removable headshell. I'm using it with a Benz Ruby 3H and it does the job.

I think you'd be happy with either one, but certainly the Ikeda is a superior arm for the money, since you can buy one for around $2700 vs the $2200 for the SME. I bought my used 312 for $650, so at that price it is no contest.

Deccas prefer fluid-damped unipivots, fluid damping practically a necessity, so add the VPI JMW 12.5 to the list. On a heavy Lenco idler-wheel 'table, the combination of JMW 10.5 with the Decca is simply the most awesome sound I have ever heard: slam of Decca added to slam of idler-wheel drive for unheard-of speed, bass and detail. Others trying this combo have reported similar impressions. You'll get similar results from your Garrard, and have a blast.

Do search on relative merits/demerits of lonmger and shorter arms here on at the Asylum.Certain principles of physic say 12 should be better and others thaty a 10 or 9 inch is bter.Know that Stereophiles Fremmer prefers the priciples of shorter arms.A number of factors like rigidity (everything being equal otherwise),azimuth etc come into play.There are two camps but interesting reading when choosing.I have a 12" VPI Memorial and am going to swap decks amd get one of their 9" arms though must admit the biggest difference is tht I'll lose VTA on the fly but there are differences.
Regards
Chazzbo