SME 20/2 SME V or Triplanar VII?

Ed, it changes everything! I checked out the SME (plus many others) and was not convinced before beating a path to Colorado and the Gavia is significantly the best turntable I heard at its price point.

The SME is a fine table (for some) however the outstanding feature of the Galibier is that you will never find yourself saying "It ruthlessly reveals bad recordings" - it has the ability to make even the most mundane cuts sound enchanting. The SMEs can sound a bit leaden-footed on genres other than classical.

Thanks, Doug for validating my insane plan. And thanks Flyingred for your take on the SME and Galibier Gavia. A new Gavia BTW is much less costly than a new 20/2. The reasons for that are (1) Thom Mackris's tables would have to sell for about double their current prices if he sold through dealers because of his added marketing and dealer support cost and the dealer's markup and (2) the fact that the Bush administration has trashed the value of the dollar so badly that the exchange rate against the British pound or the Euro has made things from the countries about 40% more costly for us over the last 4 years (this is not political commentary, just a statement of fact).

Anyway, I think your comments support my mad scientist approach that if I get the either the Triplanar or the Phantom (either of which I'm sure would be happy with on the Galibier) and either the Dynavector or the Zyx cartridge (also either of which I'd be happy with on the Galibier) I can easily move to the Galibier if it kicks the SME's butt. However, with the SME V, I would want to sell that too because I would not want to put it on the Galibier.

Thanks guys. This has been fun. I will post back when I've got the the SME up and running with the Triplanar or the Phantom and the XV1S or the Universe.

Have a great and safe 4th.

Ed

I'm betting you're going to settle on the Gavia!

(Please, leave the political musings for elsewhere. Most consider it bad manors.)

Sorry Dan, but I just returned from a trip to Ireland and Wales. The decline in the value of the dollar against other currencies during the last 5 years is rather shocking and is an economic fact not an opinion and not politics. It is also responsible for the remarkable run up in the cost of the SME.

I have a sneaking suspicion you are right, which is one reason why I jumped on the 20/2 when it became available. I think each of the SME's at their respective price points are probably the best of the suspended TTs, so with the same tonearms and cartridges, it will be a real face off that will leave me in a position to go either way without too much net cost for the comparo.

Thanks again,

Ed

Ed - enjoy your time auditioning. I don't know if we're in the Golden Age of High End Turntables, but it sure is a heckuva lot of fun! We are blessed to have so many knowledgeable people - from all over the world - from whom to draw and with whom to share. While various parts of a system each play their role, turntables have their own special magic.

Cheers,Tim