Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

@rauliruegas

Yes, thank you for directing me to that vinyl engine calculator. So the weight of the cartridge does play a role in affecting the resonance frequency, which does put the Ortofon Verismo right in the middle of the ideal range with an 11g tonearm. It does look like the ideal cartridge!

Yes, I don’t doubt the FM223 is the ideal phono stage, but currently I’m having difficulty rationalizing a $70k expense for a phono stage, when I’m just gaining significant interest in LP’s, as I probably only have 200-300 in my collection, mostly classical, but also other acoustic (folk, bluegrass, jazz, etc).

Would you buy a 27 year old SME 30/2 turntable without sending it to SME for a check-up? Would the main bearings need to be replaced after 27 years?

Thanks.

@rauliruegas, what new characteristics do you attribute to the MC Verismo? All the things described in the link are tried and tested Ortofon technologies that are already used in MC Anna, Windfeld Ti and A95. On the basis of this the Verismo can be seen as an A95 with a skirt or as a less bulbous Anna in a tight fitting evening dress. The diamond cantilever is also the same as in Anna Diamond. As such it nicely fits a niche within the Ortofon range, especially as A95 is no longer available. So I’m interested to learn what is so special about Verismo?

Just to confuse things further, there is also Clearaudio. I mention it because it uses a magnetically levitated bearing (and in some models a magnetic drive system. The bearing results in a very "quiet" turntable. Possibly not as quiet as an air bearing system but very simple in application. Again, you really do need to listen. For example for me, SME turntables, while objectively excellent, sound a little mechanical and sterile. Also, you need a dealer who has the experience to at least replicate the essential qualities of your system because that will have an impact on your choice too.

@drbond , The calculator is a rough guide as cartridge compliance can vary even with the best manufacturers. You tune the tonearm and cartridge with a test record by adding mass to the head shell. Starting out with a tonearm on the light side is always the best thing to do then you add mass till you get the lateral resonance down between 8 and 10 Hz. There are many types of head shell weights available. Soundsmith makes a very nice set of graded cartridge screws that work great with SME arms.

@edgewear , The Anna Diamond's achilles heal is that it is very low compliance which means you have to use a more massive arm and tolerate accelerated record wear. The vinyl has to do more work to move the stylus. But, it's motor is excellent. Very few cartridges can attain the low distortion levels of the Anna Diamond. The Verismo is the culmination of all this research. It is a more compliant cartridge with an ultra low resonance body and the low distortion levels of the Anna. The price is also a bit more realistic. To my mind only Lyra and MSL make cartridges as sophisticated. 

@rauliruegas, I had noticed that the pricing of the Verismo with diamond cantilever is about the same as the regular MC Anna with boron, so that is indeed a positive step in contrast to the mostly upward trend in high end audio pricing.

Have you heard it yet? If so, how does it compare sonically to MC Anna and A95? I have both and sonically these are pretty far apart in character, despite similar motor, cantilever/stylus and SLM titanium body. The A95 is very fast and neutral, while Anna sound more voluptuous and colourful. Sonically they seem to reflect their ‘body shapes’, which might suggest the Verismo should be somewhere in between, adopting the strengths of both models with the added advantage (presumably) of a diamond cantilever. Does that make sense?