Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

@ivanj , I have 645-8s. They were a custom job as I could not tolerate the width of the standard 845. I am definitely in agreement with most of what you are saying. Turntable isolation is critical. However, wall shelves can be a detriment under certain circumstances. It is not like walls do not vibrate. They can vibrate more than an appropriate built in on a concrete floor. 

Yes, phono cartridges are inherently balanced devices. But, I would never put a long cable on a tonearm. I would put it on the Phonostage. Many now have balanced outputs.

Absent the ability to put the turntable in another room there are other ways to lower sound pressure levels around the turntable and cartridge. Using a suspended turntable under a dust cover is one solution. Mark Dohmann told me that he is working on such a solution for the Helix.

I have listened to Peter's Strain Gauge on his system and I was duly impressed. The only stick in the mud is it's tracking ability. I never heard it misstrack but the measured data is not complimentary. If you do not tend to play difficult records it is not a problem you would notice. 

Merry Christmas to all,

Mike

Dear @sokogear  : ​​​@drbond  is rigth in his post:

"" but the sonic difference is very significant even on flat, non-warped records: *everything* is much clearer, cleaner, and more detailed. ""

A good clamp as Basis Audio one makes that resonances/vibrations developed between the cartridge stylus tip, LP surface and TT platter change its resonance frequency out of our ears frequency range or at least we can't listen any more and everything improves. Even improves the cartridge tracking task and helps with the cartridge/tonearm developed feedback distortions . A clamp is a must to have.

R.

Mike, you didn’t lower the SPL around your TT. You identified some effective bandaids for the existing high SPL.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Happy holiday to all. I gotta go dig up my copy of Eartha Kitt singing “Santa Baby”.

It’s on a CD called Hipster’s Holiday.

Mike, I trust you’ll be able to find some Chinese food in New Hampshire tomorrow.

I would do the Kuzma Stabi R with a 4Point Arm. Best sounding arm I’ve ever heard. And the poster who suggested a wall shelf was right on! I’ve compared many tables on and off wall shelves and the difference is usually startling. Also I have to say that in the 12-15k region I've found the difference in tables is often aesthetic with some difference in presentation, sometimes. 

Agree with @dhcod less than a month ago at my local dealer heard the Kuzma Stabi R with 4POINT9 arm and was mighty impressed. Now only problem is how to get one into my home without the wife seeing the significant drop in bank account!