Another turntable

Dear @senza  : Exist several vintage TTs that not only even the vintage Technics SP10MK3 but that outperformed as: Final Paruthenon, Goldmund Reference, Rockport Sirius, Exclusive P3A by Pioneer, Micro Seiki Sz-1TVS,  Thorens Reference, Yamaha GT 2000X , Kenwood, etc, etc.

The today Technics motor is a better design that the vintage SP10MK because the SP-10R is a coreless motor design that's new in Technics TT.

SP-10R needs a plinth and out there are Technics plinth manufacturers that can help any buyer and their plinths are just great and custom made .

But TT is only one important part in the analog rig and when we are talking of this kind of level quality the tonearm/cartridge of choice is extremely critical, especially the tonearm that must be the one that can help for the cartridges shows at its best because from there is generated the MUSIC audio signal and the next step is probably more important and that is the phonolinepreamp where that MUSIC audio signal is proccessed in a really " tortuose " overall proccess that unfortunatelly at each single step inside that proccess the sensitive, valuable and critical MUSIC audio signal will be degraded through added distortions of every kind. So the choice of this audio item is way important too because we need the unit that makes/does the less harm to that MUSIC audio signal.

R.

Hi @pani it is the wonderful world of the HiFi Journey, when two individuals have shared in common experiences of equipment use, and the preferred ancillary of each are with a difference.

Good info for the OP to consider, hearing the performance of an ancillary is crucial, and demonstrations are the key to the gathering the evidence for the assessments that will be produced.   

Thanks for everyone for sharing your opinions with all due respect !

 I will probably make a decision in a few weeks. Not sure I will go toward vintage as there are too many variables for having a good or an exceptional product (how it has been cared, the importance of having an expert not too far in case of troubles, the PITA if I need to ship it across the world for  repair or anything else, etc etc). It looks like a gambling. You can win or you can loose. I’m not rich enough for taking that kind or risk.

The only expert vintage who is 30 km from me is Swissonor with his Thorens TD124. Kuzma and SME smells good, if I keep my TW for having different arms and carts (1 mono and 1 stereo, and the SPU Century that is waiting in its box…). Is it possible to buy a new  SME with a plinth for another tonearm now ? If not, SME will go out of my way. 

Dear @senza  : Ask here:  +44(0) 1903 814321 or here:

info@sme.ltd.uk

R.

Hi @senza  Kuzma Stabi R owner here and very happy with this choice. I currently use only one tonearm, the 4point9 with a Benz LP-S and I'm more than happy with the sound, the build quality and the ease of use.

Build quality and ease of use were amongst my top priorities when deciding for a new turntable, as I use the table almost daily.

i plan to add a second tonearm in the future which is quite easy with this turntable and will be looking into Kuzma isolation platforms for enhanced vibration control and then maybe a high end power cord to max out the turntable performance. 
 

Table + Arm(s) + Isolation Platform should fit you budget and provide you with a lot of listening pleasure