Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other


I've recently upgraded most of my system, but I still have a Rega P8, with Linn Krystal cartridge, which I like, but I've heard that there may be better options.

I have Sound Lab electrostatic speakers, Ypsilon Hyperior amplifiers, an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 pre-amplifier, and am thinking about an Ypsilon phono stage to match with my system, and a turntable/cartridge.  I listen to almost entirely classical, acoustic music. 

Based on my very limited knowledge, and simple research, I've been looking at three brands, each of which is a different type of turntable: SME (suspension), AMG (mass), and Technics (direct drive).  
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of turntables, and of those in particular?

Thanks.   

drbond

Sounds like the first comment on this thread by @solypsa sums it up nicely:  I'm "in for a real treat" with an upgrade in the turntable. 

I received a Dohmann Helix One Mk 2 last week, and got it set up with 2 Schroder CB 11 tonearms, one with a Koetsu Urushi Black and the other with a Lyra Atlas cartridge.  

The sonic improvement over the Rega P8 is unbelievable!  The performers just jump right out of the speakers, and present a perfectly real soundstage right in front of me.  I would've never thought that analog could be presented so much better than digital, even SACD (at least with my current set up of Esoteric's K-01X). 

As many a commenter has remarked, digital just sounds flat by comparison.  The analog sound is much more robust, which makes me wonder if there are some harmonics that come into play with analog that are not presented with the more "precise" digital signal.  Perhaps the perfect digital measurements render a flatter sound, whereas perhaps if analog was measured, there would be more harmonics, which would measure more poorly?  (I haven't read extensively on the subject, nor have I reviewed any measurements produced by turntables.)  

Regardless, the Dohmann Helix One Mk2 has been a real treat to listen to in just the few days that I've had it!  I couldn't imagine the music sounding any more real than it currently does. . . I'm sure that the Air Force One/Zero and other higher end turntables offer more, but at this point, I can't imagine how much more.   

@drbond

Great news - forget about the analog digital debate, it will wear you down. Just enjoy your superb system. And buy more records. 

@dover 

Thanks for helping me through this musical discovery process.  Having had a Rega player since my fist audiophile days (first a P3, then a P8), I wasn't too enthusiastic about vinyl.  However, when my Rega Apheta 2 cartridge broke, and I replaced it with a Linn Krystal, I began to hear what analog was capable of. . . and, of course, then I broke my Linn Krystal cartridge, and that's part of the reason that it was time for an overall upgrade, and I have to say that while I really enjoyed the Rega P8, the Dohmann Helix One Mk 2 renders a much more musical and realistic presentation. 

Six months ago I had no idea about cartridge installation and alignment, but I used a SmarTractor UNIDIN point alignment to align the cartridges and adjust tonearm pivot to spindle distance.  I've got an AnalogMagik on order to further fine tune the adjustments of the cartridge.  The videos from that company have helped quite a bit.  

I received a Dohmann Helix One Mk 2 last week, and got it set up with 2 Schroder CB 11 tonearms, one with a Koetsu Urushi Black and the other with a Lyra Atlas cartridge.  

The sonic improvement over the Rega P8 is unbelievable! 

As well it should be given the huge price difference.😉

That's an awesome turntable setup you have there - congrats.