Table and arm combos in 13k range


What turntable/arm combos in the 13k range would you choose? I never thought I would be looking in this area but have decided to look for my final turntable purchase. I know the SME Model 12 with the 309 is 12k, and Clearaudio Compact Wood is there too, also Dr. Feickert. I have not heard these but maybe you kind folks could offer your insight, I have no need for multiple arms and current cart is Soundsmith The Voice though I could see an upgrade next year. Also, any input on arm length, I am intrigued by the Kuzma 4point9 which would be a great match for the Dr. Feickert Woodpecker. What say you?
joeyfed55

Showing 3 responses by lewm

Or how about Triplanar on SP10R (comes with no plinth and no tonearm)?  That would fall within the OP's budget, if one can find a suitable high quality plinth for the SP10R.  Technics charge about an extra $10K for the SL1000R (the SP10R in a plinth with a tonearm) over the SP10R, which I think is a bit excessive in light of the bargain that is the SP10R .
Brock, That’s a nice story, but the OP is talking about a $13K expenditure. For that much dough, he can do a whole lot better.

I only bring this up, because mijo is constantly praising the SOTA  products. While I agree that they are an excellent company, and their turntables are well thought out, I would note that for about 10 years I owned a sota star sapphire with vacuum. It was only after I moved on to a Nottingham analog Hyperspace with a motor controller that I realized how poor was the speed regulation on the sota. By comparison between the two, the bass response of the Sota was consistently muddy and piano notes were routinely unstable in pitch, for two examples. All suspended turntables are subject to this dilemma: when you mount the motor on the base and the platter and subassembly are on springs, the belt is subject to stretching as the suspension reacts to external energy. The stretching of the belt inevitably results in speed irregularity. Different companies including sota now address this issue in different ways, but one ought to be aware of it.The simplest solution of course is to mount the motor on the same suspension as the platter, but that brings with it issues related to the vibration of the motor itself, etc.
Technics SL1000R (which includes tonearm) might be squeezed under your upper limit.