Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

@drbond - you need to make sure the phono stage has lmpedence (load) and gain settings that match what is recommended for the cartridge. Many good ones have several or even continuous settings for these.
 

Some phono stages are made to work with their own cartridges. I have a van den Hul cartridge and if I wanted to really splurge, I would go for their phono stage, but I don’t want to exceed what I spent on everything else for a cartridge and phono stage. From the numbers you were throwing around, it might fit your budget. I was told that combo was part of  a $400K system that won best in a show against 7 figure systems.

The output from the phono stage can go to any regular line input of a preamp. Ideally, the preamp is just a switching box and volume knob without affecting the sound. Personally I like to KISS and go with an integrated amp and avoid an extra interconnect and power cord and save $$.

So, I went to the Florida Audio Expo today, and I've been reading and reviewing more turntable recommendations and possibilities:  firstly, the expo was pretty good insofar as talking with some other audiophiles and dealers about their systems.  Unfortunately, they didn't have too many turntables set up for playing:  I think there was an Acoustic Signature Typhoon, an Audio Note lower end TT, and a Dr Feickert Woopecker that wasn't set up due to a missing part.  A Haniwa TT was set up with some odd one cone speakers.  Overall, my system sounded much better than any system that they had there, most likely because all the components that they set up was around the $10,000 price range.  

My bias towards SME has diminished, and now it has fallen out of favor because of the inability to adjust the tonearm (azimuth in particular), and many comments abou it being overly analytical. 

My interest in TechDAS is piqued, as well as the Dohmann Helix, and J. Sikora.  
I also looked at TW Acustic options. 

So, in summary, currently I'm looking at tables that weren't even on my initial list, and I'm not so interested in the SME, AMG, and Technics after doing more extensive reviewing, reading, and reflecting.  

Does anyone have much experience comparing the strengths and weaknesses of  the Dr Feickert vs. Acoustic Signature vs. J. Sikora vs TechDAS in the $30k-50k range? 

I probably plan on making a decision before 2023 rolls around.  

I am a very big fan of Merrill-Williams turntables. Last time I talked with George, he had a significant upgrade for the latest design which involved a new platter. I use a Tri-Planar on my M.W. and am very pleased. 

@drbond - If I were you, and spending that kind of dough, I would talk to Dr. Vinyl (he is based out of Maryland, but travels all over the place to set up expensive tables and is a dealer for a lot of small TT manufacutrers) who I spoke with a couple days ago with a quick question and he told me the level of equipment he deals with ($450K TTs and $80K Phono stages). Nice guy.

Also, I would check with Mike Lavigne who is a frequent contributor on Audiogon who has multiple tables in and above your target price range. Very serious audiophile.

@drbond 

For that budget I would investigate

Brinkmann Balance 2 arm with Ront Tube power supply

Techdas Air Force 3 Premium

both of these would be around the $40k mark before negotiation.

For the Acoustic Signature you would have to go to the Ascona Neo @$50k retail to meet the performance of the Brinkmann/Techdas.

As an aside - if you want to explore vintage a mint Micro Seiki 8000 mk1 can be had for around US$25k, which according to some owners of both is as good as the Air Force One ( north of $100k ).  It may require a little extra effort for any parts, maintenance etc but the performance is at Airforce 1 level.