Direct drive vs belt vs rim vs idler arm

Hi Peter
I would like to give my biased opinion for what it is worth as a High end audio seller. What we all need to remember this is a forum and it is on the subject of audio equipment where there can never be a out right winner only a personal favorite & biased what is best opinion in your own audio system.

After living with several Garrard turn tables (301 & 401) that I really enjoyed musically, JC Verdier (Dover) has been talking about, Simon Yorke S7, SME 20/2 and now the SME 30/12 is my favorite & reference turn table for a wide range of music.

I have enjoyed music played on all the above turn tables in my audio systems over the years, but if I had to choose one turn table to keep for ever it would be the SME 30/12.

Congratulations Jason. I knew you would love this table. Another acquaintance just got one with the V-12 arm and AirTight Supreme, and he could not be happier.

What cartridge are you using and would you mind describing what you like so much about the 30/12? Thanks.

Peter thank you for your positive comments, I am using the AirTight PC-3 cartridge, one day I would love a AirTight Supreme cartridge.

What I like about the SME 30/12 is very easy to answer, I like the way it gets out of the way of the music, the music just flows from my loudspeakers and fills the room. I do not have to worry the turn table being at the right speed or if the tone arm is the right arm for the turn table.
The SME 30/12 with the SME V-12 tone arm is a incredible combination, now match this with a Airtight cartridge and you have a stellar reference source combination.

I play a lot of music Genres and love bass dynamics plus love the inner details in the music, the SME allows so much music to flow from the Vinyl, personally I have to say it is my favorite turn table from all the turn table.

The set up is so exact and once done all you have to do is check the suspension tower spacing once every few months (this brings very big rewards so SME owners please check from time to time) and place 1 drop of oil per year into the spindle motor drive locator hole.

We have regular music evenings at Parmenter Sound studio with music sessions lasting from 6 to 8 hours of vinyl play back with our friends, the SME 30/12 is a dream to use and a great music source reference for me to be able to demonstrate amplifiers and loudspeakers true full range potential.

So many people have varied opinions on what is the best turn table, I am no different, from my personal experience it is the SME 30/12.

Syntax, My friend who is switching over to Kronos from Verdier lives in France. Has visited with Mr Verdier, before that gentleman unfortunately passed away. My friend's Verdier is "real", if you or one of your friends cares to buy it. I have no opinion as between these two turntables; I was just reporting second hand what my friend hears in his listening room, in France. Anyway, I don't know how the sourcing of the magnets between the platter and base can ameliorate the other hypothetical issues with the design. But, again, none of this is to say that I don't like Verdier tt's or that they are not good sounding.