2. analog
  3. 172820-41852

Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

I've recently upgraded most of my system, but I still have a Rega P8, with Linn Krystal cartridge, which I like, but I've heard that there may be better options.

I have Sound Lab electrostatic speakers, Ypsilon Hyperior amplifiers, an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 pre-amplifier, and am thinking about an Ypsilon phono stage to match with my system, and a turntable/cartridge.  I listen to almost entirely classical, acoustic music. 

Based on my very limited knowledge, and simple research, I've been looking at three brands, each of which is a different type of turntable: SME (suspension), AMG (mass), and Technics (direct drive).  
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of turntables, and of those in particular?

Thanks.   

drbond
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,112 posts
 

Dear @earthtones  : " has been quite innovative with the Strain Gauge ..."

Not really innovative because strain gauge cartridges exist several years ago with designs by Panasonic  ans Sao Win ( between others designers. ) and those vintage designs were designed to run with RIAA recorded LPs.

 

The SS design can't mimic the necessary inverse RIAA eq because its design is " different " and that's why comes with its dedicated phono stage, you can's use it with any other phono stage. No, it's a design for other kind of LP recordings but not for the ones that comes with the RIAA curve.

 

R.

rsf507
2,355 posts
 

Another vote for a Kuzma table/arm. Last week heard at a dealer a Stabi R 4POINT9 combo. Great soundstage width and depth and very focused sounding.

edgewear
543 posts
 

@mijostyn, the MSL cartridges are also based on similar design principles of very low impedance and relatively high output. There’s no doubt these are great systems, but the Signature Platinum and even Ultra Eminent are in a different price league at 10k and 7k respectively. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
6,034 posts
 
rauliruegas

 

The SS design can’t mimic the necessary inverse RIAA eq because its design is " different " and that’s why comes with its dedicated phono stage, you can’s use it with any other phono stage. No, it’s a design for other kind of LP recordings but not for the ones that comes with the RIAA curve.

You’re correct that the Soundsmith strain gauge cartridges require the dedicated SS phono preamp, but you’re wrong about everything else. The output of the strain gauge cartridge naturally mimics the RIAA curve very, very closely, so it doesn't need a conventional phono preamp to apply the curve. I’ve heard the Soundsmith system and while it may not be to my taste, it can certainly produce incredibly good sound.

alexberger
935 posts
 

The Russian nouveau riches have a proverb "Loot triumphs over evil".

But it doesn't work in audio!!!

$400K system can sound great but it also can sound horrible. It depends more from a person who put this system together vs money spent. This person has to have knowledge, skills, experience and taste.

When I visited audiophile homes and audio shows, I didn't find correlation between sound quality and money spent. On the contrary, for some reason the most expensive systems on audio shows I visited always sounded bad, at least for my taste.

More to discover