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To SME or not to SME?

...that is the question. I have an irrationally strong urge to sell my Orbe SE, a very nice 'table in it's own right and order a SME 20/3. I've posted an ad for a used 30/2 but haven't received any responses. I have a new SME V to mount on the table. Could the SME be a last 'table purchase, or will the urge strike again a couple of years down the road if not sooner? Thoughts, opinions from members with ownership or listening experiences with the Orbe SE or any of the SME tables would be greatly appreciated.
mikesmith
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,380 posts
 
All of these posts underscore the need for you to listen to the turntable of your choice ....actually, at these prices, listen to everything. It even warrants a drive or plane ride to listen.
mauidj
127 posts
 
What these posts and forums underscores is how everyone has an opinion mostly based on his or her preferences, purchases and in many cases biases.
There really is little objectivity.
All you can do is take note, filter, distill and then trust your gut :-)
Congrats on the purchase. I'm sure you will be more than happy.
I just went through the same exercise and am now waiting for my 20/12 to arrive.
Don't know about you, but I'm as excited as hell.
What cartridge do you plan on using?
mikesmith OP
28 posts
 
Hello everyone. I took the plunge and after some delays in setup (it's cottage season up here) I've now had a chance to do a bit of listening. I don't have time for anything approaching a review at the moment but I would like to simply put it to you that this was a very satisfying purchase. I'm trying not to take a huge bite of this audio candy all at once, preferring instead to nibble around the edges, but come this fall and the cool weather, I intend to re-discover a bunch of LP's. This is a very, very good turntable, even with my lowly DV Te Kaitora Rua cart and Nordost Tyr phono cable. Cheers!
mauidj
127 posts
 
Congrats Mikesmith!
Enjoy!
(still waiting for my 20/12A)
manitunc
795 posts
 
For about a third the money, you can get a Sota Cosmos that has similar design principals as the SME, is US made, comes in a variety of finishes and will likely sound as good or better than the SME. And they partner well with the SME V that you already have. My Cosmos is a revelation compared to my other tables, and not because it does one thing well, but because it does everything well, with no particular emphasis or deficiency. And with the vacuum platter, it has something the SME will never have.

Alterntively, I would guess that the big Basis is the Sota's equal as a 4 point suspended table and either is cheaper, and I think better, than the SME 20. I admit, I havent heard the SME 20, but trying to put together a consensus from what I have read, it seems like a great table with no life or spark, much like marrying a model. I know the Sota is not like that.
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