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

IMHO they add complication in set up and depending on the table may have some type of additional motor or mechanism to move the arm which can add noise. 

No thats not correct.

The top linear trackers use air bearing carriages - the stylus follows the groove without any need for motors or mechanical drive

Examples are Kuzma Air, Eminent Technology ET2.5, Air Tangent, CSPort.

@dover 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in your message above, you wrote "By eliminating tracking angle error and distortion, properly implemented tangential trackers give you the most accurate soundstage presentation,". .. Based on the context, I think you meant to write:  

"By eliminating tracking angle error and distortion, properly implemented linear trackers give you the most accurate soundstage presentation,".

Regarding amplifiers, yes, both the Lamm M2.2 and Ypsilon Hyperion are excellent.  I enjoy listening to both.  Overall, the Ypsilon render a much smoother presentation, which is excellent regardless of speaker cable or interconnect used, while the Lamm are very detailed and clear, they are also quite sensitive to choice of speaker cable and interconnect and can sound flat/dark with the wrong cabling.  

Here is an email I sent to a friend about them: 

I will have to say that the Lamm is very good, but the Ypsilon does take the edge overall.  The Ypsilon is smoother, although both are equally detailed and transparent.  Both offer an equally substantial sound stage, but the Lamm separates the instruments/voices with slightly more detail and space between the instruments, comparing it to the Ypsilon with the Russian 6H30pi tubes installed. 

When I switched out the standard Russian 6H30pi in the Ypsilon for NOS 5687 tubes, the improvement is quite remarkable.  The smoothness is still there with the Ypsilon, but now the detail, clarity, and balance of presentation are also present, which equals or slightly exceeds that of the Lamm.  

@drbond

Yes I interpose linear/tangential.

I am not a fan of the new pivoted arms that try to simulate tangential tracking such as the Thales and Reed on the basis that they introduce new problems - that is they do not provide a rigid platform for the cartridge because of the additional bearings required to accommodate a rotating headshell and/or rotating arm base.

Thanks for the feedback on the amps. I’ve heard the Lamms but not the Ypsilon.

Too bad about the Florida show. Why not take a weekend in New York to hear some alternatives?

I agree with Dover about linear trackers / tangential trackers. There is no contest in my books - although I haven't heard any of the Durand arms - but they are many times the price. Do try to listen to an air bearing TT before you buy - and not just an air thrust bearing, but an air bearing which positions the spindle too - that is, air in all 3 dimensions, no friction at all.

I applaud you for taking your time. More fun, and better result.

 

Just thought it would be helpful for any future individuals looking to upgrade their turntable to post a link to this discussion on various types of drives on turntables, and other unrelated posts in the thread, all of which may be helpful: