sme 30/2 or TW Acustic Raven AC3

Stiltskin
i am sorry . If you did not understand me , I mean, what he opinion Albert between SME and RAVEN .
And you what is your opinion of them and you have tw raven .
thanks all

Pcosta,
I'm intrigued by your comments. How did the addition of the Minus-K platform change the sound of the Raven? I would think that the Raven before the isolation platform sounded very different from the SME 30 with its effective suspension and that with the Minus-K both tables have good isolation and would be fairly similar. Perhaps the difference is more with the cartridge/arm combinations you have/had. The one-motor Raven is certainly less expensive.

I have an SME 10 and am strongly considering placing it on a Minus-K. Thanks.
Peter

Peter

The Minus K just cleans things up and makes it even more quiet. It was helpful in my house because my room faces the street which is a high traffic area, also it is an upper floor. I had no problem with foot falls, but anything can help. It is really noticable if I would take the Minus-K out of the set up and run the TW without it.

When I had my SME I used a Silent Running Audio Ohio Class under the SME so it had some more isolation than just a bare SME. You would be very surprised how much better the SME got with the SRA. A lot of people under estimate the value of good isolation even if the unit has a good built in isolation.

I made my comparison with the SME/SRA and a naked TW, and thought it was better for me.

You will really notice a difference with a Minus-K under your SME. It should be fairly cost effective for you too because the smaller units are much more affordable.

Paul

Pcosta,

Just as a footnote here, Jeff Catalano is a dealer for SRA and it is what he uses in his set-up with the TW TTs. I don't own an SRA platform. I have an Adona stand and my TW AC-1 is very happy there. I have had many audiophiles at my place and they really like the transparency, quiet backgrounds, soundstage dimensionality, and superb dynamics I get with my set-up. TW now offers its own feet with all new tables. Mine has Stillpoints.

I have heard both the SME 30/2 and the 20/2 TTs at many shows over the last 13 years. In spite of their rep and considerable build quality, I have always found them uninvolving. Of course, this is an opinion based on brief show experience and the usual show conditions. My opinion could be incorrect.

Elinor

I have the new feet for my TW but I have not tried them yet.
The cool thing about SRA is it is totally cutom for your piece of equipment. So perhaps less of a compromise in comparison to say Symposium or other platforms. Minus K is on another level, but it does have its minor quirks too. Not that elegant either.

I will agree with you on your opinion of the SME tables. They are great at presenting all the info but over time they are a little uninvolving, at least with the SME V, they are a little better with the Graham Phantom. A friend has his with the Phantom.