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Romy:

I wonder whether the above post does not reflect a niggling doubt surfacing that you might find a better tonearm after all, than your very venerable  SME 3012R. I cannot comment on how the 3012 compares with the latest iteration, the technical measurements as they appeared in a recent issue of Hi-Fi World suggest that it is very good and a clear step-up. It does show a couple of worrying anomalies for the perfectionist and certainly does not measure as well as the V and V12.

I do not have your level of playback and so cannot be of assistance but my next tonearm adventure will be the 312. I am having some difficulty sorting out a slate plinth for my Garrard but a few days ago managed to reclaim 500kg of 2 inch think welsh slate from a building site in Chelsea London. I guess this whole thing about the Garrard is anathema to your ears but then, I have to be careful budget wise and the Garrard is a great analogue device with infinite potential for real-world money even with the reputation and following they have garnered in recent years.

My quandary is this, or will be once I am ready to replace my 3012 (I have two). I could sell one of my two SME3012 and buy the latest 312, compare the two and decide if the expense was worth the trouble. Alternatively, I could bite the bullet and just buy the V12, which I think might be better again. but then I should have to sell both my 3012s, so no side by side comparison then...

As an aside, but this problably deserves its own thread, although I suspect Garrard aficionados are not particularly welcome here, would anyone care to comment on the theoretical advantage of using a 4 inch (2 layers bonded together) slate plinth over one where say birch ply or panzer holz was used to alternate with the slate. I know it doesn't have to be slate, but I cannot quite justify using the slate to add a footpath in my small back garden!

safe journey to your tonearms and you
Rakesh

Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site