SME 20/3 or Oracle Delphi VI or Garrard 301

Both excellent tables, to be sure. I owned a heavily modified Oracle Delphi MK IV and still own an SME 20/2 with a Graham Phantom I.

The Oracle was great for its day when everything was right, but it had trouble holding the perfect setup for very long.

The SME with Graham is truly a set it and forget it system and is very easy to set up. I have never found it lifeless. It is very stable and has minimal resonances to add to what is on the record. I think most of the "lifeless" comments come from folks who have tables that "contribute" to the sound. Such contribution usually gives the table a euphonic sound that is quite pleasant. But it is not what is on the LP.

I suspect that the new 20/3 will be noticeably better than the 20/2. The new mat material is probably a signicant improvement and I think SME improved the power supply as well. Have not seen the HiFi News reviews.

Not to detract from the SME 20/2 with Graham Phantom, but I have one of Albert Porter's Technics SP 10 MK IIIs with completely restored and upgraded electronics and his plinth with an SME 312S arm. Best vinyl I have ever heard by a huge margin, it is actually close to true master tape sound on well-recorded, well mastered and well-pressed LPs. The 20/2 sound is similar but quite a bit less, which leads me to believe that it is not adding much if anything that is not on the LP.

Hope this helps.

Ed

Mahalo Cipherjuris.
SP10 eh........interesting.
Are there many mods needed to get one of these singing?
Did Albert Porter do it all or just the plinth?
I have just about talked myself out of the idler drive solution.
The rebuilt 301 ends up in 20/3 price territory with a decent plinth and PS.
I'm wondering why the whole DD/idler drive thing is going through a renaissance right now.
Is it a fashion thing?
Do they all add something or other and we just decide on the flavor of the year?
After all these "new gems" have been around for years. Interesting stuff.
The new 20/3 also has a way thicker top plate and heavier platter. The review was very positive....but aren't they all!

"The reviews and comments out there lead me to believe I will be better off using a non SME arm on the 20/3"

So folks are saying to put a non SME arm on a SME table? Check to see if they are off their meds.

As for the 301, yes it must be fashion and follow the leader. We discounted idler drive 40 years ago or more. And direct drive as well.

"I think most of the "lifeless" comments come from folks who have tables that "contribute" to the sound. "

Yep, removing resonances is why some folks don't like clamps. Too accurate for them.

Discloser, I own a SME 309 on a Sota Star with a suspension, clamp and vacuum system. Not much to resonate there.

Hope your turntable/arm hunt goes well,
Robert

Mahalo Robert.

"So folks are saying to put a non SME arm on a SME table? Check to see if they are off their meds."

I guess the comments come from those who think the combo is dark and using another arm counters that.
Just some say that others not at all.
I guess that's what makes our hobby so interesting....and frustrating too.

Thanks for the input and well wishes. Aloha!

Cipherjuris - The mat material on the 20/3 platter is the same as that of the 20/2 platter - just a different color. It is called Isodamp. The manufacturer now only supplies it in the charcoal color to SME.