Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

Dear @terry9  : Koetsu design is as I posted an exhausted design. Nothing is changed in the last 10+ years in its motor, what change is the stones but the cartridge motor is the same.

Lyra Lambda is a new design as the Verissimo against  the " older " Koetsu design and the Verissimo comes with diamond cantilever and the Lyra is boron with diamond " plated " ( I don't know the rigth name. ).

Koetsu was in the vintage times a " myth/legend " when in reality its quality level performance never been really good till appeared the KRSP and I know because I owned at least 6 different models over time listening including the blue lace. 

I respect those " sophisticaded " audiophiles that own Koetsu but that does not means that is a true superior performer.

Koetsu stone models are very good looking but are outperformed by other newer designs.

R.

I own one of those new designs. It's just not as good - in my system, on my turntable, with my tonearm, and with my arm wands - to my ears.

Matching cartridge to system is more than just considering effective mass of the tonearm. Setting up is more than VTA. When you spend time and thought and money to get it right, as the OP is doing, you get a lot further than if you omit one of those.

I don't think that you do know what his ears hear and what his system sounds like.

Dear @terry9  : " Matching cartridge to system is more than just considering effective mass of the tonearm. Setting up is more than VTA. "

Agree and is weird you did not mention phono stage critical analog item.

" I have a similar problem with my Mayajima cartridge "

Well, I don't know if ytou refer to that " new " cartridge design or in reality to the Lambda/Verissimo.

R.

@rauliruegas 

To repeat, "I don't think that you do know what his (OP) ears hear and what his system sounds like."

Could have added, "with his kind of music."

And no, I'm not going to help you derail this discussion.

@terry9  : No I don't want to derail nothing. You posted and I gave an answer. That's all.

R.