SME 20/3 or Oracle Delphi VI or Garrard 301

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.

A friend has the top SOTA vacuum table with SME 5. He has the same attitude toward resonances as you Robob. Compared to my Basis 2001/Graham or Linn/Jelco I find it a little dead or lifeless. Interestingly, he has been trying to sell it in favor of his other table, a Technics 1200, which has neither vacuum nor clamping. My Basis has clamping, the Linn does not, my VPIs do. It all depends on the table to my ear.

Robob, "Not much to resonate there". What about the suspension itself? By definition, it resonates at a certain frequency.

ll these discussions about the "Performance" of a Turntable - the internal Qualities - will hardly end in a final Solution. The final solution exists, but when the Listener has different "Priorities" (-> Fun, Life, Action, Bass...) well...it depends. Money isn't the Solution, because there are lots outs there which are very expensive and at the end of day they won't tell you any new for 1/3 turntables.

Garrard
The right ones for Listeners who want Pace, Rythm, Timing, Bass and don't care about coloration or Precision in Reproduction, or in a full Swing Performance. The rattling idler moves so much energy into the platter and spindle that you will hear in every Record the Subway below Kingsway Hall.

Oracle
One of those designs which solved a lot of Problems (suspension) and does sound right. A classic. But based on its Chassis and light Platter it can't produce the lower octaves from Organ and other extreme earth quakes. But from overall Performance very well done.

SME
In a way the most serious ones of the 3. Their "Problem" when we can call it that way, is their own SME Arm. It is limiting the abilities from that table. Good as the SME V is, compared to others in Soundstaging, "Gestalt", right size of Instruments and distance, it is 2. rate. And very limited in the choice of cartridge alignment.
I would use that table with a Phantom II Arm or a DaVinci.
Then it will tell the listener something really new.

Many mahalos Syntax.
You have summed up my impressions from countless hours of research and questions on various fora.
While everyone has a different ear, perspective, system, environment musical taste etc etc...I believe a consensus can be arrived at after distilling all the data available on the internet....and I believe you have summed it up very well.
I am still listening to others' stories and advise but as each day passes I must admit I am moving slowly but surely towards the 20/3 with Phantom arm.
Not quite there yet.......
Just curious what your impressions are of direct drive units and the TW Raven which seems to have a loyal following on this forum.
Aloha!