$6-7k to Spend on Turntable

Jfrech, I don't know yet! I just picked it up over the weekend, and my ARC VT-200 is still in the shop. The deck is definately mint, just as Johan said. I guess he only had it for less than a year. It was very well taken care of.

It may be a couple of weeks until I can really give it a shakedown as I am going to send my ARC SP-8 off to Steve at Great Northern Sound to get the phono stage upgraded to handle low output MCs. I've been talking to Sorasound here in SF and plan on picking up an Airys 3s from him.

Hopefully within two to three weeks, I'll have everything back and making music!

I need to get the Oracle and SME IV listed for sale some time this week.

Ken

If you are to retain the SME IV you should go for a deck that synergises well with it. As such you should first consider both the SME model 20/2 and the Model 10. You should also consider the Avid decks by Conrad Mas - fantastic decks that are often sporting the arm you own.

I myself have an Amazon Model One and have good authority that the SME goes well with it.

Having said all that get the Oracle fully serviced - in a recent hi fi news review the reviewer indicated that he'd get the new one had he not already got his current reference!

About the Platine - that goes well with Schroeder, Breur, and Morch Arms, as well as the old sme 3009 - so I am told by one dealer and importer of the item.

For your kind of money, and given the e-mail responses you have had, you may as well go and get some demos, it's much better than reading what people hear - trust me - I'm sure all the magazines will disagree though.

Dear Ken: I assume that your 20 comes with the SME V. This tonearm is a dinamically balance design, and works very well in that way but you have to try it in static balance way: it comes better yet.

Regards and enjoy the music.

Raul.

Hello Iflyfisher, I'd consider the SME 10,made for your arm,small footprint,simple and strong build quality,much less $ than the 20,you could sell the "10" arm or keep it, and buy 2 or 3 cartridges with the change and i'm sure you'd have a great set up. Choose your favorite combo ,sell the others and just play music!

Sorry, i didn't read the whole thread, nevermind.