Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other

@pindac 

No worries.  Thanks for your comment.  I'm sure I would be very content with the SME or the Dohmann.  They are both very good turntables, and I don't think anyone could go wrong with either one.  The Dohmann allowed two tonearms, and more adjustability to the tonearms, which the SME does not allow, otherwise I would've probably gone with the SME a few months ago.  
Thanks. 

@rauliruegas 

Thanks.  I appreciate your direction and recommendations through this musical journey.  I realize that you recommended the Ortofon MC Verismo cartridge.  Are you still of the opinion that the Verismo would match well with the Dohmann Helix One Mk 2 and the Schroder CB 11 tonearm, or would the Lyra Atlas and Koetsu Urushi Black match better?  Any other cartridges that you'd highly recommend for this turntable?  What would you think about the top of the line Koetsu Blue Lace Platinum?  
 

I put the link up in another thread recently, this device seems to sahre a very similar role as the MinusK.

Yes it does. Would likely perform well under a turntable. Dohmann claim the MinusK devices in their turntables are specially modified for the application - not sure how.

BTW I was tongue in cheek calling the SME suspension 'rubber bands' - I realise their suspended tables are highly engineered and have very effective isolation.

Worth noting that, according to HFN review measurements, SME achieve lower rumble figures with their superbly made 'conventional' bearing than the air bearing in the TechDas Airforce III. Also, according to HFN measurements, Technics get within 1dB of the SME 30/12 rumble figure with their SL1000R - so Technics engineering can't discounted either. So funny when people here criticise Technics DD for being noisy when they measure amongst the lowest noise in the industry - not to mention their SOTA speed consistency. 🤣

I am quite familiar with the SME 20/12 > SME Series V and am quite happy to vouch for it being a stellar performer.

I am as a listener quite attuned to detecting smearing and small distortions during a replay. My experiences has allowed myself on a few occasions to offer suggestions on methods to decrease the noticeable presence of the unwanted information.

Sometimes a thorough stylus clean is enough, on others a selection of Puck weights can offer an improvement and on the the odd occasion it has been suspected that a Platter Spindle Bearing is not functioning at its optimum.

A very basic treatment of a few drips of oil added to the Spindle Housing has yielded a much improved result, a subsequent servicing of the bearing housing has created a perception of a very good improvement having occurred.

I don't think a TT manufacturer would randomly select a TT to be used for testing and supply the Technical Data for their Models. I assume this will be carried out a TT, that has had a little post production attention. Measurements offered for the TT are not guaranteed to to be maintained for the usage life of the TT.

They are probably expected and designed for, to last the warranty period only.

What average TT owner would check for evidence of the deterioration of the Tech Data Info' ?    

I have no recollection of any perception of the SME 20/12 producing any unwanted smearing or distortion during a replay, so I will assume the design for the SME bearing is able to be maintained at a optimum for many many years after being new.

That is not the case for all TT's, I have purchased TT's with a questionable bearing condition, especially when assessing what has been discovered and how it would impact on the function, whilst inspecting the internals of the housing.  I also know others who have shared in this same encounter, and following a few simple procedures attained a much improved functioning part for their TT/TT's. 

@drbond 

Maybe you should consider yourself lucky that you ended up with the Model 30. The Model 60 costs in excess of  £20,000 more, and offers, as substantial improvements:

(i) a new motor and motorcontroller (with separately-housed transformer);

(ii) a new resin armwand for the SME V. 

Apart from these two (let's assume) clear improvements, the suspension system has been reworked so that the 'o' rings are now hidden (many will consider this an aesthetic improvement), and everything has been made a bit more massive.

But;

- the basic concept is unchanged: heavy metal subchassis and heavy metal top-plate suspended with 'o' rings

- the drive system is unchanged

- the main bearing is (I think) unchanged

- the platter (and clamping system) is unchanged

- downforce, antiskating, damping and general adjustability of the arm are all unchanged

The word is that the Model 60 is a considerable improvement sonically. Aesthetically, it is definitely more stylish, but (in my opinion) only if you take the all-black version (the coloured versions remind me of  much cheaper turntables). 

Back in 1996 (when it was originally introduced) the Model 30 cost £10,000. Now the Model 60 costs five times as much. 

I am not sure Mr Robertson-Aikman would have given the go-ahead to this project. For him, the Model 30 was already the best that SME could produce, and also the best that the end-user could reasonably ask for. Sobriety was the watchword.