As someone who has heard Albert's turntables, It's hard to beat the SME Airtight or SME Lyra combo's. They are both pretty special.
I have head the Reed 12 (pretty sure it was a 3q...maybe a 2a) with a Lyra Olympos at a friends a few times (on a dobbins tt). That is also a great sounding system.
I think this depends where you want to nudge your system if you want a little more speed, the best resolution, the best dynamics, it's the lyra. If you want a little more warmth...the Air Tight. Now these are small differences...not night and day...but that's what I hear when I've heard the two...
I bought a Atlas...
I have head the Reed 12 (pretty sure it was a 3q...maybe a 2a) with a Lyra Olympos at a friends a few times (on a dobbins tt). That is also a great sounding system.
I think this depends where you want to nudge your system if you want a little more speed, the best resolution, the best dynamics, it's the lyra. If you want a little more warmth...the Air Tight. Now these are small differences...not night and day...but that's what I hear when I've heard the two...
I bought a Atlas...