100 albums? And you want to spend 15k on a TT? Nope not worth it IMHO
Should I buy an SME 30/12A for 15K?
I am a vinyl newbie with maybe 100 LPs (or less) in my collection. I have had a Technics SL1210GAE for past 2 years, I just plugged and played it. It’s good but my digital is almost as good or sometimes better.
I recently heard a SME 30/12A at the dealer’s, and it blew my mind, and my digital was no where close (the dealer had almost the same digital -- mine is Nagra Tube DAC, his was the Nagra HD DAC -- and we did on spot comparison, not an apples to apple of course but still best that we could under the circumstances).
Now given my relative inexperience with vinyl (I know next to nothing about setup), should I plunge for this offer which is offered to me at 1/3rd the retail price and probably an endgame TT for me.
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?
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At your dealer, was it the same cartridge? Was it the same, phono stage, amplifier, and speakers as you use at home? If not, how do you really know that the SME performed any better than your technics? If you just want to buy the SME 30 because it seems like a great deal, and if you have thea disposable income, you don’t need to ask us. Just go for it. but I would not rely upon that one listening session as a basis for any belief that having the SME 30 in your home system will be a revelation, apart from the revelation that comes with having spent a great deal of cash. |
That's a fantastic bargain. If you buy it you're set for life. I assume it has a Series V arm. Is the dealer throwing in the fitted cartridge too? If not, you'll need to make sure you have a worthy cartridge and phono stage. I have two SME 10 TTs, and they are plenty good enough for me. You'd be getting a 30 for the same price I paid for them. |
mistake you have100 albums not worth it you can purchase a 7k table new that will outperform that table
look at the Merill Williams real we did a shootout vs a 50k Kronos the Merrill sounded just as good table is built out of energy absorbing high density rubber laminates Dave and Troy Aufio Intellect nj Merrill Williams dealer |
The following is a Post I have put in another thread very recently. OL (Origin Live) The assessment being given is in relation to their long-term owned SME and not the Idler Drive. The Belt Drive TT has their attraction. The Cartridge used is a Sumiko Pearwood. If considering used and can the want to purchase can be slowed down for a period of time, this type of set up can be found for close to £6500 if buying Used and New combined. __________________________________________________________ A friend who has been a long term owner of a SME 20 / 12 using a SME V. Not too long ago changed the TT and after a Idler Drive Experience has chosen a Scheu TT, that is modified with OL TT Parts and has a OL Illustrious. Their assessment as they have the best recollections of A respected Belt Drive Set Up in the home system is that it is a exceptional TT and great VFM. ___________________________________________________________- |
At that price grab it! SME - SME Model 30/12A - includes Series V-12 tonearm $53,900.00 Please Order by Phone Toll Free 1-800-716-3553. Availability: Special Order Category: Turntables Label: Equipment Product No.: T SME30-12ARM SME-SME Model 3012 - Includes Series V-12 Tonearm-Turntables…store.acousticsounds.com/d/94257/SME-SME_Model… |