Clearaudio innovation wood or SME 20/3

I don't know anything about the Clearaudio tables, but I owned the SME Model 10 with V arm for eight years and now have the SME 30/12 with V-12 arm. I have not heard the 20/3, but I read that it's sound approaches the regular 9" Model 30. If you have heard it and like it and since you will be using your V arm, I would suggest buying the 20/3. IMO, the suspended SME tables are very good platforms for allowing the cartridge to perform. I find them very neutral, though many disagree and think they are dull, slow, unexciting. My two SME tables have never sounded like that in my system. With the new power supply/motor controller, the table is very speed accurate, has great isolation and is built to be a "last purchase". You can also have every confidence in the quality of the company.

You might also consider the barely-used 20/12 on Audiogon. This could be an interesting alternative for a similar price to a new 20/3. The V-12 arm is incredible and I find it to be significantly better than the standard V.

If you are looking for a plug and play turntable with excellent support, the Sota Cosmos IV meets your requirements and is well matched with the SME V. Plus you get vacuum hold down and the best suspension in the business. Something to consider if you dont have a very good support for a fixed table.

Another thumbs up for Sota Cosmos....hard to go wrong with that table. Sota, Basis, TW Raven, Clearaudio, can't go wrong...

Linn only if you pay megabucks for all the upgrades, IMHO, since that format is sooooooo long in the tooth in its original incarnation. Recent technology and engineering counts for something...

Perhaps you can't go wrong, but there are sonic differences between the tables
you mention and they can be large depending on how resolving your system is.
There are also differences between the companies in terms of size, longevity,
and service.

For some, small differences matter a lot. For others, its all about the same after
a certain level is reached and they would rather just listen to music.

Peterayer,

Which of these tables have you heard in systems similar and resolving enough to discriminate among them? Just curious, since you seem to have firm ideas about their sonic differences.