sme 30/2 or TW Acustic Raven AC3

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.

Grossly unfair to characterize the SME 30 is "uninvolving". I have some of the most sumptuous, hypnotic playback I have ever heard with my SME 30. Auxiliary electronics, perhaps? I don't like to enter the "brand wars" except in cases of gross misstatement. Most advice tends to be militant, self validating cant from individuals who own the products, anyway. The more militant, the less credible.
The TW may be all that everybody says, I have never heard one, but it seems that it has become popular to bash the SME 30 by comparison as a sour grapes.
The best way to find out, as stated above, is to hear the two either in a similar system or in your own system to determine if the price difference is worth it to a particular individual.