A study in SME 20/2

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

Me too .......If you like Ray Charles check out the Ray Sings Basie Swings LP, its a limited edition and done very well.

Thanks Jeff, I'll grab a copy.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by f1 fan

Serge...that's a beauty and bet sounds great in your system. Paired with the EAR, LAMM, and your new speakers it's like the live performance. Congrats to your new purchase.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I've been listening all day. It is sounding damn sweet right now.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I am not sure if I want to increase my vinyl collection that much. I really love using a music server.

Isn't a bit late for April Fool's Joke?

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Thanks Dave. I've been listening all day. It is sounding damn sweet right now.

I bet it does sound damn sweet

Dave

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Alberto

I had no idea that you had an SME coming. Great choice and great report as usual.

Alberto

Thanks Alberto. I've enjoyed listening to this table in the past and there was a deal that came up that was just way to good to pass on.

[KMC45]

I even put a little vinyl on tonight, some Gene Ammons and Ike Quebec that I bought today.

Not bad.

[streetspirit]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Serge...great walk through as usual. I am tagging this and the Clearaudio table setup posts so that when I finally get my tt (!), I can use them as setup references. Congrats and I am sure you will tweak this rig into optimal performance. Thanks for the excellent post as usual.

+1. thanks for the walk through and excellent photos to match.

[PHC1]

Glad you guys enjoyed the post.

"Sammy" had a long, music filled day and is now tucked away for the night to get a good night rest and recharge for another long day tomorrow.

[Jerome W]

Congrats Serge !!
As always, a great post !
You'll be surprised but I considered the same TT and the same SME V arm before buying the Clearaudio.
I thinked about it again yesterday because the SME importer in France, who's also one of the best Mc technician came to my house to take one of my 2301 for a check up.
The reasons why I chose the Clearaudio vs the SME at that time were:
- I listened to the Clearaudio at JM's home and loved it
- I wanted a change over my previous LP12 so I thought I would have more change with a high mass non suspended design
- The SME was at about 8000 euros without a cart vs 4700 euros for the Clearaudio with the Talisman MC and my lp collection is not huge so price had to remain at wife reasonable levels...
- I had to go a bit far in a owner's home to listen to the SME because the importer did not have one on display.
- I read some reviews stating like you that without missing of anything the SME was not an extraverted table. Like most suspended designs actually so once again I wanted a clear change from the Clearaudio.
- If I had to go for a rather pricey TT, I wanted it to be my last step with TT's and would have gone for the Lp12 Se at 13000 euros fully loaded. My best friend has one I know pretty well.

Saying all this and reading your post I think that I probably would have been happier with the SME because my tastes in audio are more towards charm and bloom than the extraverted and impressive sound. I'm still very happy with the Clearaudio but I 'm sure that won't be my last TT. When my lp collection will be big enough, I will offer myself a LP12 se and I will be done with TTs.

Once again, thank you very much for sharing with us your new and impressive set up. I will look forward the next conclusions especially with the Maxx 3 !
Cheers
Jerome

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

I've got to tell you guys, since installing the new Ortofon 2M Black on my Micro Seiki, I have a whole new attitude towards vinyl. I haven't listened to a CD on the tube system since the turntable got moved to the C1000T, and the Teles went in the phono stage. I was in the studio this morning and listened to Larry Carlton on vinyl, and Stevie Ray Vaughn - Couldn't Stand The Weather album. Man, that was good to hear. Stevie Ray's "Tin Pan Alley" is one of my favorite blues tracks, and on my vinyl rig it was thoroughly engaging. For the first time in years I am now shopping for new vinyl. Good stuff.

Dan,
I bet that you will spend more and more time in the studio and I would not be surprised to see you moving the Micro Seiki in the living room to hear what happens on the PMC...