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Ortofon 309 vs. SME 3012 for SPUs

I am hoping that people here can compare the vintage Ortofon 309 arms to the SME 3012s for use with G type SPUs.

My question is which vintage tonearm is the best complement to a top flight G type SPU? There are a few versions of the RMG 309 tonearm and also SME 3012s (Series I vs. Series II). It seems that the SME 3012 Series I fetches the highest price. I would like to match one with an AE90 or Silver Meister GM MKII SPU.

latinsamba1
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,613 posts
 
If your interested in a Ortofon 309D I have one in on trade

I have not heard it with a SPU but it surely handles heavy cartridges like the SPU. I used a 309D with a MC70 a while back and it was a great combination.

Good listening

Peter
latinsamba1 OP
74 posts
 
The 309D is a great arm but I am specifically interested in the vintage Ortofon and SME 12" arms.
pani
1,218 posts
 
I have not heard the Vintage Ortofon but the SME 3012 lacks resolution significantly.
prcinka
366 posts
 
if you do search the forums, there are some threads about it already....it all depends how far you want to go with the system...if you want to hear the SPU cartridges at the best... you should look for Ortofon tone arm. If you want more flexibility and maybe more "modern" sound you can go for SME. I would rather have 2 or 3 arms for that, means one of them for sure would be the Ortofon RMG......
stephenred
1 posts
 
I have both an SME 3012 S2 and a 3012 S1. Lack resolution with an SPU? I don't think so! The S1 is my favourite, and is used on a Commonwealth turntable in a massive 40kg+ ply plinth. Magnificently musical. Can't comment on the Ortofon arm, though have had EMTs which are related.
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