Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

The thing is with you budget, you can get the big 5 taken care of with extraordinary engineering and execution across all the important elements. table, arm, isolation, cartridge, phono pre. So for example in any of the TT mentioned this thread so far w exception of the low end Technics, you are going to get a world class bearing and speed control. Ditto w most of the arms mentioned, nobody at this level is using shoddy bearings, etc… my advice on the strain gauge is listen in your system before you buy, ditto the DS optical. Fortunately for me, this is easy as cultivating long term dealer relationships have been an enjoyable part of my journey. Hopefully you are enjoying yours. Finally, i would call Yip directly….hear what they think….

best

Jim

i am a record flipping robot fueled by Rye

How about ANY Kuzma table/arm combo?

I highly recommend that you call Steve at High Performance Stereo in Miami.  He is honest and knowledgeable.  He is an advertiser here at Audiogon.  I have dealt with him for years and can't say enough good about him.

Bill

@billstevenson 

Thanks for the recommendation, but Miami is 5 hours away from me, and, as has been mentioned, dealers will peddle their own goods.  (It may as well be NYC.)  

I was hoping a user had heard a couple of these turntables and could recommend what the strengths of one vs the other are, but I suppose not many have listened to these TT.  

Thanks.

If your looking at turntables in that price range you might also consider Reed this last one is a modern idler drive.