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Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

I've recently upgraded most of my system, but I still have a Rega P8, with Linn Krystal cartridge, which I like, but I've heard that there may be better options.

I have Sound Lab electrostatic speakers, Ypsilon Hyperior amplifiers, an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 pre-amplifier, and am thinking about an Ypsilon phono stage to match with my system, and a turntable/cartridge.  I listen to almost entirely classical, acoustic music. 

Based on my very limited knowledge, and simple research, I've been looking at three brands, each of which is a different type of turntable: SME (suspension), AMG (mass), and Technics (direct drive).  
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of turntables, and of those in particular?

Thanks.   

drbond

Showing 5 responses by cleeds

cleeds
6,089 posts
 
rauliruegas
This is not about taste is about facts.

Correct. That’s why you’re mistaken when you claim "it’s a design for other kind of LP recordings but not for the ones that comes with the RIAA curve." In fact, the strain gauge system is specifically designed for proper playback of RIAA EQ’d LPs. To claim otherwise, either you don’t know what you’re talking about or you’re just being argumentative.

... it’s not the cartridge whom needs to follow the inverse RIAA eq. but the phono stage and the SG phono stage did not ...

Again, you are simply wrong. Using a phono preamp with an RIAA circuit is of course one way to play back an LP. Another - although this is not my preference - is to digitally record the cartridge output, and then apply RIAA correction digitally on a computer. A third way is with a strain gauge cartridge, which inherently applies at least a close approximation of the RIAA curve. Peter Ledermann says his strain gauge is down about 1 dB at 20hZ, which some think is better than the boost many magnetic cartridges provide.

And Raul, because you are so insistent on "facts," I suggest you actually make it a point to hear strain gauge phono playback in a proper system. While it may not be to my taste, the strain gauge cartridges can produce outstanding sound.

cleeds
6,089 posts
 
rauliruegas

Dear @cleeds  : I think you are wrong or have a misunderstood.

No, I've actually heard the system. While the strain gauge is not a perfect complement to the RIAA curve, it's close. If you think your conventional phono cartridge delivers perfectly flat results you've probably never measured it.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not a big fan of the strain gauge concept. But I'd never insist "... it's a design for other kind of LP recordings but not for the ones that comes with the RIAA curve." That's simply wrong - the system is specifically designed for LP playback, whether it is to your taste or not.

cleeds
6,089 posts
 
rsf507

@cleeds when you say regarding the SM strain gauge "I’ve heard the Soundsmith system and while it may not be to my taste" what did you not like about it?

I heard the SM strain gauge at Soundsmith - using a VPI HRX table and VPI arm. I don't recall the speakers Peter was using, but they were small-ish monitors. I have Infinity IRS Betas and my taste runs to a much bigger, fuller sound. Still, the strain gauge system is very, very impressive.

cleeds
6,089 posts
 
okogear

The spindle is purposely not threaded so not sure how a lightweight clamp would attach or work.

There are clamps that rely on friction fit to secure the LP. I think the original was The Pig clamp but there are others - KAB makes one.

cleeds
6,089 posts
 
rauliruegas

 

The SS design can’t mimic the necessary inverse RIAA eq because its design is " different " and that’s why comes with its dedicated phono stage, you can’s use it with any other phono stage. No, it’s a design for other kind of LP recordings but not for the ones that comes with the RIAA curve.

You’re correct that the Soundsmith strain gauge cartridges require the dedicated SS phono preamp, but you’re wrong about everything else. The output of the strain gauge cartridge naturally mimics the RIAA curve very, very closely, so it doesn't need a conventional phono preamp to apply the curve. I’ve heard the Soundsmith system and while it may not be to my taste, it can certainly produce incredibly good sound.

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