I have a Studio with an SME V arm and DV XV-1s and also a SME 30/2 with a Graham Phanton arm also with a XV-1s. Short answer, I listen to the Studio 90% of the time. Why? Most of my vinyl is Jazz from the 50s-70s and I find the Studio tranports me better to that era than the SME does. I'd say the SME is more accurate and the Studio more musical. It's somehow more enjoyable to do a 4hr listening session after work with it than the SME. The Studio does come to about 98% of the SMEs speed stability, SME makes time stand still! SME makes normal pressings sound slightly more "audiophile", maybe makes music from a blacker background. I remember reading a comment about the SME being dark, I guess that's what I hear, with the Studio being a bit more lively. Because I never complain about things like soundstage, dynamics, focus with the Studio I assume that it's because the SME doesn't do these that much better the Studio? I believe the Studio cost lots of money then as was in the top 5 of the best tables so it shouldn't be surprising that I even give it a slight edge for musicality over a current production SME.
