SME 20/12 with V 12 VS Sme 30/2

Citrobacter - I highly suggest you contact Brian Laker at SME. He is very responsive to questions.

PS - Do you have any close relatives named Proteus, Salmonella, or E Coli? :)

Manitunc - The changes to the SME 20 in the Mk3 version are solely those that give it more mass and weight - heavier, thicker chassis, subchassis, and platter. Otherwise it is the same design as the 30/2.

Gordon - No, it cannot. The chassis, subchassis, and platter are different weights and thicknesses. You would be paying basically for most of the Mk3 without getting the whole table. SME does not make 'upgradable' products. You can only do that by buying a different model.

The SME platter surface, Isodamp, is not new, just a different color. The manufacturer no longer makes the 'mustard' color used previously. Charcoal black is now SME's standard color, otherwise it is the same.
In comparing the 20/2 with the 20/3, the following can be noted:
1. The bearing's central damper has been improved, now more in line with the Model 30
2. the oil bath has been improved.
3. Weight went from 18.2 kg to 28.6kg - thicker chassis and subchassis; platter heavier and larger(from 4.6kg to 6.5kg and from 300mm to 312mm. (The Model 30 platter is 330mm in comparison).

SME wanted to narrow, not close, the gap between the 20 and 30 tables without eclipsing the value of the latter. The increased mass of the 20/3 provides much of that improvement.

I hope this clarifies the changes.

Peter - I've spoken directly with Brian Laker of SME about the mat. He said the only difference is the color. "A superior interface with vinyl" is an original advertising claim for Isodamp's use on turntable platters in general, way back when SME first started using it. I agree with your mention of the suspension towers now having viscous damping as with the 30 tables. I was not aware of that change. All the changes do bring the 20/3 closer to the 30/2. Perhaps we will see a published review directly comparing both in the future.

Manitunc - Yes, the reviewer spent a lot of words comparing the two tables mechanically, but I think he reviewed the 30 in the past, was speaking of that table from memory, and did not have them side by side for an audible comparison.
As good as we'll get for now.