Should I buy an SME 30/12A for 15K?


I am a vinyl newbie with maybe 100 LPs (or less) in my collection. I have had a Technics SL1210GAE for past 2 years, I just plugged and played it. It’s good but my digital is almost as good or sometimes better.

I recently heard a SME 30/12A at the dealer’s, and it blew my mind, and my digital was no where close (the dealer had almost the same digital -- mine is Nagra Tube DAC, his was the Nagra HD DAC -- and we did on spot comparison, not an apples to apple of course but still best that we could under the circumstances).

 

Now given my relative inexperience with vinyl (I know next to nothing about setup), should I plunge for this offer which is offered to me at 1/3rd the retail price and probably an endgame TT for me.

 

Thoughts?

Also, is this as great an offer as I think it is, are there better TTs at 15K$ retail price (I cannot/will not buy used) than the SME 30/12A?

essrand

 At that price grab it!

SME - SME Model 30/12A - includes Series V-12 tonearm $53,900.00 Please Order by Phone Toll Free 1-800-716-3553.

Availability: Special Order

Category: Turntables

Label: Equipment

Product No.: T SME30-12ARM

SME-SME Model 3012 - Includes Series V-12 Tonearm-Turntables

store.acousticsounds.com/d/94257/SME-SME_Model_3012_-_includes_Series_V-12_tonearm-Turntables

store.acousticsounds.com/d/94257/SME-SME_Model…

The following is a Post I have put in another thread very recently.

OL (Origin Live) The assessment being given is in relation to their long-term owned SME and not the Idler Drive.

The Belt Drive TT has their attraction.

The Cartridge used is a Sumiko Pearwood.

If considering used and can the want to purchase can be slowed down for a period of time, this type of set up can be found for close to £6500 if buying Used and New combined.

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A friend who has been a long term owner of a SME 20 / 12 using a SME V.

Not too long ago changed the TT and after a Idler Drive Experience has chosen a Scheu TT, that is modified with OL TT Parts and has a OL Illustrious. Their assessment as they have the best recollections of A respected Belt Drive Set Up in the home system is that it is a exceptional TT and great VFM.  

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There is one here on Agon for $8500 with the Series 300 arm from a seller in NJ. Why spend $15K? You can upgrade the arm later.