Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

SOTA reflex clamp works by gripping any spindle when the lever is pushed down and locked.

@mijostyn 

I don't see many recent reviews about the Oracle Audio Delphi (newest version) MkVI.  Because of the brand reputation of SME, I'm leaning in that direction.  All things being equal (cartridge, tonearm), do you know how the Oracle Delphi Mk VI would differ sonically from the SME 20/3? 

I'll have to read about the Transrotor tonearm, but from what I superficially know about tonearms (reading easily available reviews), I might lean towards a Graham Phantom III tonearm or a Kuzma 4Point tonearm.  This decision would make more complex choices; however, the SME 20/3 is an easy decision and set up with the series V tonearm.  

From what I read about tonearms, the Kuzma 4Point was very highly reviewed, and if I were to get a Kuzma tonearm, I suppose I should consider the Kuzma Stabi R turntable.  

Any idea how the Kuzma Stabi R with Kuzma 4Point would compare to the SME 20/3 with series V tonearm? 
Thanks. 

Kuzma Stabi R looks good and you can install several arms. That’s good option, but, as time often says the truth, it seems that for many Kuzma lovers and users, that, in their line of TTs, the Reference would be «Belle inconnue », more musical than hifish. Don’t know myself but hard that a couple of times in the last months.

@alexberger 10+

@cleeds , I heard the exact same system except the Strain gauge was mounted in a Schroder Reference arm. The Hyperion was in the VPI arm. Those monitors are Peter's design. Except for the bottom 2-3 octaves the system sounded remarkable good considering the room it was in. I played a very difficult string quartet and it sailed through it almost perfectly. There was just a hint of sharpness behind the first violin.  Peter was smart to keep the listening chair away from any walls and there was so much...clutter which acted as diffusers. I did listen to one song with the Hyperion for context. There is additional EQ in the preamp that corrects the strain gauge so that it follows the RIAA curve. But, amplitude errors are relatively insignificant and can always be corrected. Just putting a system in a different room is going to cause much more severe amplitude changes.The only thing I might worry about is it's tracking ability. Even Peter admits it has a hard time with high velocities which has been the real achilles heal of strain gauges. I got rid of the Win cartridge after just a few weeks as it's tracking was awful. I did not hear any mistracking during the Soundsmith audition. Peter has certainly sharpened it's game. I think there might be an issue damping a strain gauge correctly but, what do I know. I think Raul is a bit harsh on it for whatever reason. 

@senza , if you are going to go for a less expensive Kuzma the Ref 2 is the way to go. If I were to get one it would be the M. The 4 Point is definitely up there with the best arms. 

@drbond , The Oracle and the SME 20/3 are extremely similar turntables. The Oracle is just better looking. The Transrotor arm is a perfect match for it aesthetically. The Stabi R is not suspended so there is going to be more background noise. The Stabi Ref 2 is the one to go for. The R is for people that have to have a bazillion arms hooked up. The 20/3 is definitely a better turntable than the R. If you are going to use a 4 Point arm you will be limited to the 4 Point 9 on the suspended turntables. The 4 point 11 is too heavy and will upset their suspensions. It is not big loss because many of us, me included think the 9 is the best of the lot. There is no such thing as a flat record. Big massive arms have a harder time following the irregularities which causes added distortion in the upper ranges. Distortion in cartridges is monumental  above 10 kHz many cartridges hit 15%!! The best do 5-6% We do not hear it as distinctly because our ability to discern very high frequencies is limited. 

From an industrial artwork perspective the Oracle/Transrotor combination would be killer. Your friends will be speechless. The SME is "just another turntable." Is it a safer bet than the Oracle? I'm not sure. The Delphi has been around for a very long time and has been consistently improved. I owned an early one back in 1980 and they had not got the hang of it yet but modern reviews indicate that they have. It has a damped suspension just like the SME. It has a screw on reflex clamp just like the SME. It has an AC synchronous motor electronically controlled just like the SME. It is isolated on the main chassis just like the SME. One thing it does have that the SME does not is the ability to adjust it's suspension with different springs for heavier arms to maintain the 2 Hz resonance frequency. This is not a deal breaker for the SME by any means. 

There are several excellent arms that have not been mentioned. They are the TriPlanar, The Schroder CB and the Reed 2G. Stay away from unipivot arms like the Graham, VPI and the Moerch. The Basis arms are OK as they are not really unipivots. Rotation is controlled by a secondary bearing. In the most expensive Graham arm rotation is controlled by opposing magnets. 

@sokogear , Lew is not just frugal. He is an outright scrooge:) 

I hardly dare to say it here, but the one that I’m looking for is the Verdier Platine. I know it’s an oldie but the ones who have one generally never sell it. But that’s me. Here un France it is 7400€ euros.