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SME vs. Clearaudio Turntable Comparison - Thoughts?

My current system:
Primaluna Dialog Premium HP integrated amp
Parasound JC-3 phono preamp
Harbeth 40.1 speakers
Clearaudio Performance SEP TT w/Lyra Delos cartridge
Clear Day Cables double shotgun speaker cables

Thinking about upgrading the Clearaudio TT to something new and looking for opinions.

Given a choice between a Clearaudio Innovation Wood with Universal tonearm or a SME model 20 with a SME V tonearm, which would you choose and why?

My take is that Clearaudio is a bit more aerospace tech oriented and SME is more old school industrial design built like a Mac truck.  

I love the appearance of both models, somewhat favoring the looks of the SME for it's classic styling and also digging the Innovation for it's non-traditional appearance.  

Bottom line is sonics, so I'd really like to hear your thoughts on which one sounds better if you have heard both or either.  I primarily listen to rock, folk, and jazz.  

Thanks,

Peter
snackeyp

Showing 2 responses by don_c55

don_c55
1,025 posts
 
The SME V was designed in 1987 and not changed since.  Old tech.

Poor fine tuned arm hight adjustment - they do not care about SRA, and no azimuth adjustment, are deal breakers for me.  Owned one for years and it sounded too "dead" with most MC cartridges.  IMO. YMMV.

Go for the Clearaudio.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
By poor height adjustment I mean no index marks on height adjustment like VPI, Triplanar, or Graham.

If  movement in height reduces quality from previous setting it is hard to move back to the previous exact height.


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