SME 20/3 or Oracle Delphi VI or Garrard 301

Mauidj:

I noted in your earlier response that you were a pianist. The Oracle MKVI is excellent with piano music(contrary to Dover's comment). In terms of sheer musicality the Oracle MKVI (especially with the Granite base the new bearing and Micro Vibration Stabilizer System) performs at a very high level with speed in the bass/midbass registers, quietude and resolution across the frequency spectrum that exceeds its price range. The SME 20/3 table is excellent also. Ultimately, if you don’t listen to a lot of Organ music (the more massive tables may have a smidgen of additional extension/solidarity in the lowest octave) the Oracle with Phantom II tonearm could prove very satisfying. At the end of the day it’s about diminishing returns: why would you trade in an Oracle VI or SME 20/3 for the Raven at a future date if you are happy with their performance? As mentioned by previous contributors to this thread, “opinions are dime a dozen”. Go with your own preference.

Gmorris.
Sage advise indeed.
And I think your summation of the 2 tables is spot on from all the reviews and comments I have read.
I also agree that the trade up is probably unlikely. This is a more prudent path than buying the Raven now and waiting to be able to afford the better arm/cart combo....forever chasing my tail.
I also think I will be over the moon with a Delphi/Graham/good cartridge combo. I believe it will make great MUSIC.
Funny you should mention the granite base.
I was chatting with Jacques of Oracle who suggested I invest my money in a really good equipment rack/table platform before getting the granite base.
I've been offered a really great deal on a regular base Delphi so getting the granite will add about $3000 to the price tag. Plenty of money for a really effective stand I would think. My current Salamander stand is hardly stable and this investment should make a big difference system wide.
Ultimately I will of course go with my own preference...but it has been enlightening to read the comments and experiences of others before plonking down this not inconsiderable chunk of change.

Mauidj,

I havent heard the Oracle Delphi VI. The opportunity to hear high end turntables in my ends at my front door, and mine are not at the highest end. I think that if I had a Delphi VI/Graham Phantom/Dyna XV1s combo I would probably stop right there.

Wow...took the thought right out of my head mate.
The Dyna was right at the top of my list :-)
Sounds like a good combo eh!

Wow! This thread really took on a life of its own. I re-read my 5/24 post, and it accurately reflects my experience with modded Oracle Delphi MK IV which I enjoyed for 15 years, as well as my 5-year experience with the SME 20/2 with a Graham Phantom I, and my recent experience with Albert Porter's Technics SP 10 MK IIIs with completely restored and upgraded electronics and his plinth, a Micro Seiki CU-180 mat, TTSuperClamp and an SME 312S arm for the past month.

I have not heard the new Oracle MK VI, but like most new models from high end manufacturers, I would be surprised if it was not noticeably better than my modded MK IV.

My experience has been that the Oracle with ET-2 arm was way better than anything I had before, especially after power supply, Goldmund mat, isolation feet mods, and the SME 20/2 with Graham Phantom I is noticeably better than my MK IV with ET-2. And my Technics-Porter SP 10 MK3 is way better in every way than any TT or other source component I have ever heard before. I have found that everything Albert said about it is right on, except it was still better than I imagined it would be. It is the quietest TT I have heard (contributes to great imaging, soundstage and low level detail) and has the best PRAT (likely due to its speed accuracy when playing an LP), dynamics and bass I have ever heard.

The great thing about the SME tables is they are truly setup and forget tables (a drop or 2 of oil once a year and a new belt every 4 or 5 years is about all the maintenance it needs), especially with a Graham Phantom, which is also setup and forget.

Hope this helps.