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Best TT under 20k ?

Hello friends,

Which TT / arm / cart combo would you choose for a budget under 20k ?
Please, state if you listened to your suggestion or if your opinion is based solely on reviews and technical data.

Many thanks in advance !
Cheers,

Quote:

Originally Posted by C220MC275 (Post 162394)

This one:

SME - Model 20/3 Review hi-fi news

Have heard it mounted with a Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge into an ARC REF2 Phono Stage, ARC REF Anniversary Preamp, ARC REF610Ts (w/KT120s), Transparent Cables and Power and The Sonus faber.

Disclaimer: Sumiko imports SME. :thumbsup:

If you have 20k to spend, there are a LOT of good choices...

My absolute favorite would be the AVID Acutus SP (not the Ref, more money) and the SME V
this is about $17k and most dealers will probably cut you a little slack if you are buying a cart as well.

Carts I've tried with excellent luck on this combination, all in the $4k range:

Koetsu Urushi Blue
Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation
Lyra Skala
Grado Statement 1
SoundSmith Sussurro Paua
Clearaudio DaVinci

SME 20/SME iV.Vi would be an alt. excellent choice around the same price.

Both tables are built like tanks and should be good enough that you probably don't need to upgrade further.

And I have to say that this Sumiko Palo Santos is rapidly becoming one of my favorite cartridges ever!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonepub (Post 162401)

Jeff, FYI the new 20/3 with a IV.Vi is a $17k package and the 20/3 with a V is $18k. There's also a special package price on the cartridge if you add a Sumiko model.

Any 20/2 would have to be a dealer demo or used. NTTAWWT - it's an SME. :D

All very good suggestions !
Thanks a lot !
Keep them coming !

Seriously, if you're in this budget range, it's going to be tough to get a clunker. Most of it will be getting synergy with your taste, system and software.

It's the guys that have $2500 to spend that makes it a lot tougher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by metaphacts (Post 162412)

In France, the SME 20/3 with the V arm costs 9600 euros : much cheaper than in the US ! i would be left with around 6000 euros for a cart ! That should give many options....

I would love to have an SME in my system. Seems like a great choice.

Since... you cant have the Shindo 301 player system...

I'd seriously go for the SME or the AVID, grab that Sumiko cartridge (Palo Santos), sell your current setup and invest in a much better phono stage.

I'd say the AVID Acutus REF, the SME 20 are two of my all time favorite tables.