Thoughts on SME 10A

That's a good table It's very well built...will last you forever. What arm is on it? The better the SME arm...the better it will sound...If it has a SME IV.Vi I'd jump on it...Lot's of competition in this range.

Does it have a cartridge also at that price? If so, what? If not, what will you consider? Do you have a table currently? If so what?

About all that is needed maintenance wise is a new belt every few years.

So the 10A is a great table...it will absolutely show you what vinyl is all about. I am assuming your Ayre K1x has a built in phono - if so, I bet it's pretty good.

I might try a Lyra Delos or Kleos. See if you can get the deal to knock $500 off if you buy a cartridge also...set up here is crucial...also the arm cable off the SME is a big upgrade item...you don't have to go nuts here...but $500 is VERY well spent money on this cable...

You'd really have to spend over 10k to get a better table...you might be able to get different for $5500...but I doubt better. I had a SME 20/2 and SME IV.Vi...one day I want a SME 30/12

rsf507....the SME's are speed adjustable. While it only has 3 buttons (33, 45, 78) when you press and hold 2 buttons, it goes into adjust mode....SME also provides a strobe disc.

I'd be careful saying things fail tests...was the belt old? had someone adjusted the speed then tested it etc...some variables could be at play here you didn't account for in your statement

Bobbob...what brand of cables are you using today? (for your xlr's?) It's best here to get a new one made up...din to xlr-some brands, like my transparent solder on a pigtail with the din before the main cable starts.

It's also true you can reterminate the stock sme cable with xlr's. Although that stock cable is a known weak point in the payback chain..

Hi, well, we'll all spend your money around here fast...so don't over stretch financially... I will say...get the best table you can afford...this is money well spent for a audiophile...