Should I buy an SME 30/12A for 15K?

" it looks like it will be another 15K to make the 30/12 sing"

I would NEVER look at it that way. Rather, the table and arm are SO GOOD that it will bring out the best in even a $15k cartridge. Only a great table can do that.

A great cartridge with a second class table and arm will sound good for second class. But still second class.

A great table and arm with a mediocre cartridge will sound far better - not as good as a great table with a great cartridge, but still first class, not second. That table will bring out the best in any cartridge you use. And it will never wear out - a cartridge can go after 2000 hours or 500 hours - or 5 hours if you are unlucky or make a mistake. Just look at the horror stories people around here tell, like "The cleaning lady swears she didn’t touch the table, but now the diamond cantilever is hanging from my Koetsu and it’s a 10k rebuild."

I’ve come to close to that myself. You can’t make that kind of mistake with a table or an arm. And no rebuild required, either.

OP Stated " Thoughts? 

Also, is this as great an offer as I think it is, are there better TTs at 15K$ retail price (I cannot/will not buy used) than the SME 30/12A? "

 The OP hasn't been exactly met with their request made to learn of a TT that will cost as a New Model $15K and better the SME 30/12A.

As I have a good knowledge of the SME 20/12, as a result of being demo'd it on numerous occasions, I am sure that I prefer a DD Drive and the Models put forward such as the SP10 R and SP 1000R are seemingly on budget to the request made.

The SP 10R with a careful Tonearm Selection 'will' be a Tool with all the capabilities to offer a 'mind blowing ' experience. I have shown how the SP 10R can be produced as a replicant of the SP 1000R for a much more affordable outlay.        Adding a $4Kish Tonearm of ones choice to the 10R, and not being limited to the 1000R Arm, will get a TT and Arm for approx' $13K, that will see off most of the competition. Extend the option on a Tonearm to a used item at a $4Kish cost and there is a serious TT for the money, not much to contend with it up to a £100K, to show where it is with shortcomings. I know this as a first hand experience from regularly experiencing one in use, and having been demo's substantially expensive TT's over the years. 

It seems like 'mind blowing' and 'Outperform Digital' and worth 'Stretching to the Purchase Price for a discovered Item, as an attempt to maintain the experience', is the assessment formed during and following the OP's SME encounter.   

As the OP has informed of their inexperience around all things relating to a Vinyl Source and their (knowing next to nothing about about Set Up). I am eagerly keen to direct their attention away from a Belt Drive design and the continuous complexities to the attentions required to keep it on point as a function.

The New DD TT models as referred to, is a much more user friendly experience and will be much more suited to an inexperienced individual, the value of the DD TT will be easily attained and maintained, not such a story with a Belt Drive.

The reference to the SP10 MkII is a more awkward one to throw into the line up.

The MkII is used (not the OP's wish).

The MkII is very capable and with serious potential, the route is made clear with an outline costing. Add to the $2ish outlay a $4Kish New/Used Item Tonearm ( The OP might be excited about a used item SME V 9" or 12"), there are very good options on Tonearms at this price point. There is only one outcome, a TT that will standout in a comparison to its later produced sibling models, and as made known, as the experience of one SP 10R / Modified MKII Owner.                                                    The MkII in a very early stage of receiving modifications was capable to put the Newer Generation 10R out to grass.                                                                   Once more I am experiencing the MkII undergo modifications that are picking up where the mod's are quite evolved and notable for the impact made and improvements perceived. I have no doubt the SP10 MkII I am listening to, to assess the works undertaken, is improved over the 10R I visit regularly.

When the P'holz Chassis MkII is in use, which is imminent, the 10R will be sat aside it for assessment, the 10R Tonearm will be used, also the 10R Tonearm can be be mounted on the P'holz Chassis, if the owner wishes to detach the arm from the Standalone Arm Pod and do this.    

I waited to respond just see what dreams were made of. 

I too have had my share of tables. Real dreams and nightmares. But just to add a thought, for that money, Kuzma R w/ 4 point. Ken Micallef from Stereophile might agree.

Good night and happy dreams.

dpearson

Now that's my dream table/arm combo. Kuzma Stabi R with 4point9 hard to best even at twice the $$ IMHO. Yes I've heard it many times and I'll be placing an order for one before long.

Fyi, SME have announced mk2 versions of their TTs, which will probably lower used values of existing models.

Yes. I am aware of that, and that is why I believe I was offered this price.

The street price of an SME 30/12A mk1 is probably something around 30-35K.

just buying something to own because it's at a 50% discount is not a good reason. Especially if you can spend that 15K to improve your system more efficiently (the list of great TTs for <5K is very long) 

Even if you buy the SME don’t expect mind blowing- not even close.

Your phono card hasn’t even begun to show the performance of your Technics. The same can be said of your cartridge.

I’ve got a 1210G that I love. It took 3 cartridges to find the right one for my tastes and system. I already had a fantastic phono stage.

As good as the SME deal is, I’m guessing another $6-7k to get the performance you seek. Why not spend that same money to improve the system you have? Buy the nicest phono stage you can get and a $1500-2000 cartridge. That’s what I’d do because that’s what I did.

If you decide to buy the SME, make arrangements to pick it up in person. You know what they say- if it seems to good to be true….

@nferre66 Did you read the original post?  Hint, "I recently heard a SME 30/12A at the dealer’s..."

@gordon I did. So a great deal.
 

My opinion stays the same. The dealer had both a phono stage and a cartridge infinitely better than that of the OP.  It’s unreasonable to think the OP will get anything close to what he heard once he gets it home.
 

Yes,nferr, but it will be a 'forever' table. The rest can be upgraded at leisure. 

@nferre66 Sorry, I guess my post was a bit cryptic.  I meant that you suggested that he pick up the TT because it might be a scam:

"If you decide to buy the SME, make arrangements to pick it up in person. You know what they say- if it seems to good to be true…."

When the OP had already gone to the dealer to listen to it.  

Perhaps I misunderstood what you meant by the quote above.

Perhaps there is no risk in this case, but several years ago I nearly bought an SME30 from a seller in the UK, off eBay. I smelled a rat after the seller requested payment via bank transfer, and I asked for his address. That turned out to be the address of a pub in London. An inquiry sent to the pub manager quickly revealed they knew nothing about turntables. What interested me was the indignance of the "seller", once I exposed him.  The price was definitely "too good to be true".