To SME or not to SME?

The upgrade bug is a given for most in this hobby. From time to time it's going to bite. It's that simple. Since the 'table is my only source - and likely the best candidate in my system for an upgrade - I've been doing a lot of research lately on a replacement. Unfortunately, it's not practical, or even possible where I'm located, to audition much of anything. So you read, read, read, question, speculate, read between the lines, solicit opinions, extrapolate from what you've been able to glean, and then, when the urge becomes strong you have to dive in and hope for the best. The frustrating part is spending a lot of money but ending up short of where you hoped you would end up.

Is there any advantage to buy from Southwest Analogue in the UK compared to your local dealer?

Sébastien

Just for a new toy purposes that can definitely make you happier, you can. Other than that time, money, hassle to sell one get another would not worth the performance improvement.

Unfortunately, it's not practical, or even possible where I'm located, to audition much of anything. So you read, read, read, question, speculate, read between the lines, solicit opinions, extrapolate from what you've been able to glean, and then, when the urge becomes strong you have to dive in and hope for the best. The frustrating part is spending a lot of money but ending up short of where you hoped you would end up.

Mike...I would suggest at your price point that you book the weekend of Oct 14-16 and make your way to RMAF in Denver and have the opportunity to listen to multiple tables (not only SME) at that price point and compare. Yes Show conditions are not ideal and yes each turntable set up will be partnered with different phonos/cartridges/tonearms, not to mention altogether different amplification and speakers but if your option is to make a purchasing decision without hearing at all in that $15-$25K range vs. having a chance to hear a number of different set-ups, my vote would be to spend $1500 to go to RMAF and have a listen and have a fun weekend while you're at it. My 2c worth.

I gave up long ago trying to get a good understanding of a components sound outside my own system. No matter what it is it will take on a different sound in each system and room; the sound you hear may not be the sound you will get. These days I try to select items that were liked by reviewers who I think have the same general tastes as I do and have a high level of potential for good sound. The process of getting the maximum of the kind of sound you want is not easy; I attribute many of the sales on Audiogon to a lack of patience in this process. I have had my Gamut L 5s since last fall and am still far from finished in the process of final set up. Just moving them in the room or changing the way they face into the room can make them sound quite different, let alone different cartridges, cables etc. The SME tables are very good from everything I hear; I was an SME dealer but before they made tables.
But from my own experience with tables I think I can safely say that there are many good ones, however, they sound quite different. In the last couple of years I have used Basis [Ovation, 2001] VPI [TNT. Aries Extended, Scoutmaster, Scout] Linn [modified LP 12] and listened to a Raven with Graham Phantom at two friends houses. All these tables sounded different and each of the top ones had points of superiority over the others. The big tables have a greater degree of effortless power and stability while the lighter suspended tables seem a little more agile to me, YMMV. My point is that it is almost impossible to tell in advance the exact nature of the sound or how you will like it. The main reason I have been a small dealer for decades is so I can listen to different components without going broke. Of course, with todays prices even buying as a dealer is too expensive with many products.
The whole trick in audio [gospel according to Stan] is to get a system that YOU find musically satisfying. I have just about got there myself [after 50 years] . Mine is certainly not the ultimate in any respect but I have reached the point where I cannot think of anything I WISH I had rather than what I actually have; I fear the end may be near.