When I got my SME 30, I lost interest in other turntables. I have heard a few of the top contenders. I don't want to get into battles with zealots or manufacturer's representatives, so I won't mention names, but the SME 30 is not wanting compared to the ones I have heard and is substantially better in many ways, particularly the subtle rendition of lower midrange and bass, something I don't think any digital medium will ever be able to emulate.
My own requirements were for a relatively compact, utterly reliable and carefree mechanical table of the highest quality without anything that sucked, blew, levitated or used magic UFO metal. The suspension is tuned below 3HZ and is quite effective. The SME 30 is pretty easy to place and doesn't take up a pile of room. I have no interest in multiple arms, but if you do, the SME 30 is probably not the table for you. I have no desire to change to anything else. The SME 30 also gives the impression of being highly refined, in that it seems to be a turntable that somebody listened to extensively and tuned meticulously, more so than even the 10 or 20.
Tonearm choices are not limited to SME and the SME 30 is a fantastic match with the Grandezza tonearm. The Graham arms are also an option. The Grandezza tonearm is much superior to the SME IV-VI that I had previously, so much so it was as great an upgrade as the upgrade from the SME 20 to the SME 30 turntable itself when equipped with the SME IV-VI.
My own requirements were for a relatively compact, utterly reliable and carefree mechanical table of the highest quality without anything that sucked, blew, levitated or used magic UFO metal. The suspension is tuned below 3HZ and is quite effective. The SME 30 is pretty easy to place and doesn't take up a pile of room. I have no interest in multiple arms, but if you do, the SME 30 is probably not the table for you. I have no desire to change to anything else. The SME 30 also gives the impression of being highly refined, in that it seems to be a turntable that somebody listened to extensively and tuned meticulously, more so than even the 10 or 20.
Tonearm choices are not limited to SME and the SME 30 is a fantastic match with the Grandezza tonearm. The Graham arms are also an option. The Grandezza tonearm is much superior to the SME IV-VI that I had previously, so much so it was as great an upgrade as the upgrade from the SME 20 to the SME 30 turntable itself when equipped with the SME IV-VI.