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Turntables & Tonearms Where Analog still Rules

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  #1  
Old 05-01-2011, 03:46 PM
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Jerome W Jerome W is offline
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Default 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,
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  #2  
Old 05-01-2011, 03:58 PM
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metaphacts metaphacts is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C220MC275 View Post
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,
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.
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Old 05-01-2011, 04:01 PM
Tonepub Tonepub is offline
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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!
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Old 05-01-2011, 04:12 PM
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Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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  #5  
Old 05-01-2011, 04:12 PM
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metaphacts metaphacts is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tonepub View Post
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!
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.
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  #6  
Old 05-01-2011, 05:04 PM
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All very good suggestions !
Thanks a lot !
Keep them coming !
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  #7  
Old 05-01-2011, 05:33 PM
Tonepub Tonepub is offline
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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.
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  #8  
Old 05-01-2011, 05:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by metaphacts View Post
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.
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....
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  #9  
Old 05-01-2011, 05:53 PM
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I would love to have an SME in my system. Seems like a great choice.


Since... you cant have the Shindo 301 player system...
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  #10  
Old 05-01-2011, 06:05 PM
Tonepub Tonepub is offline
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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.
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