better tonearm for SME 20/2


Hi-

I'm purchasing an SME 20/2 turntable, and am trying to decide between a used SME V or a Graham 2.2 tonearm. I'd probably have the tonearm setup done by a shop experienced w/ the table/tonearm(s). I'd appreciate any feedback from owners of SME tables on their experiences w/ either or both of these arms.

I'm also trying to decide between a benz or lyra cartridge in the $1200-2K range. My other gear includes Ayre electronics plus Vandersteen 5 speakers, but my primary question regards the tonearms.

Thanks!
aubullience

Showing 3 responses by aubullience

Hey, everyone-
Thanks very much for your feedback; it helped me w/ my decision, which was to go ahead w/ the SME V.

Now I just have to decide on a cartridge for under 2K or so. I've heard good things about the Benzes, Lyras, Koetsus, and the Dynavector XX 2 has also been recommended to me.

Any feedback on these cartridge lines would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm looking for something that's neutral- not lush, but not analytical at the expense of musicality either. I listen to a wide variety of classical music, much of it orchestral (mb 40-50% of my collection), in addition to rock (30%), w/ world music, r & b, & jazz making up the remainder of my listening in about equal proportions.

Rob
Thanks for the feedback. Am still deliberating. Raul, I'm a bit uncertain about why the Celebration's being voiced on the SME V would make it the obvious best choice. I'm assuming it would make it synergistic, but to be a devil's advocate, isn't it possible that another cartridge would nevertheless sound better on the arm if it had enough intrinsic advantages over the Celebration and was still compatible?

I'm considering the Celebration, but I've also heard great things about the Helikon. Has anyone heard it on a SME 20/SME V combo? Impressions?
Thanks for everyone's responses- I'm now seriously considering the Celebration as well as the Skala. Any experiences w/ the Benz Ruby 3 as well?