Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

Hey @drbond  - the P8 is extremely light and the only thing that worked for me without counterweights was the Townshend Seismic platform that has pods screwed into the base. The very smallest pods are effective against the 10 pound turntable. If the pods are too inflexible, they won't do anything, and if they are too flexible they also won't do anything. The ones I use are just right - about 50% compression in the pods, and you don't have to adjust anything for position. They worked great for me.

Unfortunately, Max Townshend just passed away last week, so I am sure there will be some delays, but supposedly they have the capability to carry on. One frequent Audiogon poster I believe just started working there @millercarbon. You may want to reach out to him.

As you speak about the Townshend platform : I will try to put it under my TW Acustic Raven AC. I mean : unscrewing the TT’s feet and put it bare on the platform. With the Townshend’s feet you can level the TT who’s weight is uneven as 2 tonearms with their integrated pods are installed in each back corners.

Will see what happen (excepted the broken back). If the Podiums are so effective, the platform could do the same with a TT ? Who knows ?

@tms0425 

Thanks for sharing.  My plan is to first upgrade my phono stage from the Manley Steelhead to something else.  I expect a more detailed phono stage will allow me to better distinguish the differences between various TT.  With the clamp and the pucks, the Rega P8 sounds very good, and much better than without those.  Once I decide on a phono stage, hopefully in the next 6 months, I will then begin the TT search with more vigor.  

By the way, I heard that there is an audio show in Tampa, FL, which is coming up next month:  Florida Audio Expo, Feb 18-22. I didn't see many analog companies attending, such as SME, Kuzma, AMG, or TW Acustics, though, so possibly not worth it 

@drbond - most important to match the phono stage to the cartridge and your system in general. Turntables should have no sound - improvements are the elimination of distortion caused by vibrations. Of course you need to make sure the arm works well with the table, that's why I like the integrated ones like Rega and SME and it's good to know you're leaning towards the SME. From what I've heard their V5 arm is about the best out there.

@drbond Florida Audio Expo is a nice show, which was growing until Covid slammed everything shut. I'll be attending for a couple days, coming up from Sanibel. Dealers tend to show there also, so they tend to bring what they have on hand in terms of analog. The usual strong ex-US presence of manufacturers unfortunately will be reduced due to the current state of affairs for travel, etc.