One turntable with two arms, or two turntables with one each - which would you prefer?

@lewm With respect to granite, presumably the crystalline nature of rocks can affect their ability to resonate? All I know about them is to do with their abrasive qualities when lapped and used for honing straight razors. And now I shall be accused of going off topic again, so...

My plans for tonearm pods are underway. They will be made of brass rather than stainless steel, and black ceramic coated just for visual matching purposes. SME mounting plates on top, and three spikes underneath. The mounting plate will be precisely 90mm above the tips of the spikes, which is the same as the built in arm plates on the Model 10 tables. My next choice will not please everyone: I shall place a pair of SME M2-9 tonearms on them. These are pretty much like the 3009, but straight instead of curved, using 309 type headshells instead of the 3009 type, and have a damping trough. I have half a dozen 309-style headshells being one reason, and trust in the wisdom of Alastair Robertson-Aikman is another. It will probably be a couple of months for the machinist to finish the pods, so I'll have to be patient in the interim.

Thanks for the interesting conversation, everyone. I've been reading with interest all the responses.

This thread, for me, was not so much a 'tell me what to do' or 'help me make a decision' type thread, more conversation starter, born of a genuine interest in how others approach their desired analog playback chain. I don't think there's any universal 'right' answer - just what works for each of us. It's interesting to see the responses.

I will say that my interest in the topic arose as I started to think about a second, all analog system. I've had a turntable in my system for at least 20 years, now, about as long as I've been in the audio hobby.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've assembled that second system - with the assistance of some great dealers and distributors. They're out there. Shout out to the teams at Kevalin Audio, Next Level HiFi, Bluebird and Nashville HiFi (no affiliation, just a happy customer - they all have been fantastic to work with and I think they're worth knowing about).

For now I've landed on one turntable and tonearm in my main system, and one in my second system. Neither of my current tables really has an option for a second tonearm, so I will look to add another table - maybe with two tonearms, maybe not - to the second system once my checkbook has recovered (!!!!). Adding a dedicated option for a mono cartridge in the second system is my next goal.

In any case, thanks for the responses all. Keep 'em coming. And happy spinning.

@dullgrin Thank You for a very fair assessment and your encouragement.

@dogberry Both Natural and Manufactured Stone has been regularly seen in use as a Plinth Material for too many years, the Trend I recollect commenced in the 90's with the Garrard 401 being championed in a Company called Slate Audio's Slate Plinth. The Trend grew to other Decks and even Speaker Cabinets.

Not all can successfully Market Slate, hence new Natural Stone was becoming more mainstream, I chose Granite as my material, as I preferred the demonstrations of Granite on a 401, to those I had been to when Slate was demonstrated.

Being brutally honest, I may have even been more attracted to Granite as I preferred the individuals that were advocates of it for the purpose as a Plinth.

Within my HiFi Group, one member has a paraphernalia of ideas, why Slate is inferior to Granite as a Material to be used within HiFi.

I am not without Granite, I utilise it in plenty of places within my System, but mainly now as one of the materials used in an assembly of various Materials that functions as a Structure.

I am also an owner of Manufactured Stone as a Plinth, which has the Brand Name Corian. Again, this is another material I have chosen not to use as a regular choice, it is pretty much reserved for demonstration purposes.

My Friend who has recently converted to Densified Wood - Panzerholz, has a quantity of Corian in Slabs, as the P'holz has been capable of persuading them to rethink their previous thoughts on Plinth Materials, they are remaining curious, and are in the process of utilising the Corian, to try this material out as a comparison.

Lucky for me I will be able to hear this in use, on a TT and Tonearm of the same design I own. This will allow for Two Set Ups to be used of the same equipment mounted on two different Plinth Materials, additionally this will also allow me to have my Cart' used during a demonstration along with the Two standard Ortofon K'bs available.

If all seems worthwhile, I do believe the Kaneta Designs will be produced in both materials, to take the investigations further.

@dogberry In relation to your notification of your next venture to have a Standalone Tonearm Pod Produced, to be used with the SME 10 and SME M2-9 Tonearms.

I have no doubt the Headshell Design used on the M2-9 is a much-improved mechanical interface over any Products it Superseded from SME.

It does not matter one iota, who is pleased, you are the end listener, and you are the one making choices for how monies are used that leave your account.

I am sure you are to share in many hours of fun filled investigation when these arrive at your home. I sincerely hope there will certainly be a room full of music on a regular occasion. 

If it is off interest, the answer does not have to be immediate. I can donate to you, to assist with having an extension of the experience of a Tonearm Pod, a piece of Densified Wood - Permali that is a 75mm (3 inch ) Thick Material, cut to a dimension that would suit having a Standalone Tonearm Pod produced from it.

Let me know, there is no rush.

Very kind of you, John, but I shall decline. My two turntables sit atop a very heavy 17th century oak chest, which I have carefully levelled. I don't think a slab of anything, however good it is in the audio realm, will be acceptable to SWMBO.

I started out just trying to find a cartridge I could live with when my London Reference is finally done, and I ended up with a handful of rather nice carts and a second turntable! And now the madness proceeds towards four tonearms...