better tonearm for SME 20/2

I use both a V and a Phantom on my 30/2. The SME V has great synergy with the table. The Phantom has the big advantages of quick, repeatable adjustability and cartridge changing (with different armwands).
IF you're going to use only one cartridge, the V will do fine, as once it's set up correctly, it will not need fiddling with adjustments. IF you're going to use more than one cartridge, consider the Graham. Your choice of arm depends alot on your cartridge. Cartridge/arm synergy is IMHO more important than arm/table synergy.

Dear Aubullience: Very good TT. In my humble opinion the choice of tonearm depends more of which cartridge you finally own.

If you decide for the Lyra the SME V is a better way to go and if you decide for the SME V ( I prefer the IV ) then try to set-up in a static balanced way.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

I also use the model 20 and have found the V, with VDH Condor, to be an excellent match. I have a Graham armboard for the SME and will trying my friend's 2.2 on it over xmas.

Raul, By static balanced you mean using the counter weight as opposed to the spring??

Mooner.

Dear mooner: That's right.

Regards and enjoy the music.
raul.

Hey, everyone-
Thanks very much for your feedback; it helped me w/ my decision, which was to go ahead w/ the SME V.

Now I just have to decide on a cartridge for under 2K or so. I've heard good things about the Benzes, Lyras, Koetsus, and the Dynavector XX 2 has also been recommended to me.

Any feedback on these cartridge lines would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm looking for something that's neutral- not lush, but not analytical at the expense of musicality either. I listen to a wide variety of classical music, much of it orchestral (mb 40-50% of my collection), in addition to rock (30%), w/ world music, r & b, & jazz making up the remainder of my listening in about equal proportions.

Rob