Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

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!

@rsf507 ​​@dhcod 

The Kuzma Stabi R with Kuzma 4POINT9 or other Kuzma 4POINT tonearm is a possibility.  I suppose the Stabi M and the Stabi XL would be more equal competitors for the SME 20/3 with the Series V tonearm, given the price categories.  

SME has the reputation and longevity.  The Kuzma tonearm has rave reviews.  I'm not sure how the Kuzma turntables compare to the SME. . . 

Insofar as the wall shelves, I'm not currently convinced of their efficacy in my environment, where my equipment is currently sitting on a rack on a concrete slab foundation.  I would think the walls would vibrate more than the concrete floor here in Florida, as the walls are attached to the roof, and the roof is designed to allow wind to circulate under it.  Not only that, but don't the sound waves from the speakers bounce off the walls moreso than the floor?  

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to all!