SME 20/3 or Oracle Delphi VI or Garrard 301

This isn't a response as such to the original question but this thread like so many others ha evolved somewhat in an interesting direction and i'd just like to add something.

I bought a SME 20/2 last year at the end of the run of the Mark 2 which came with the charcoal coloured platter. I bought it without an arm as i had a SME IV arm that i'd been using on a SME Model 10 that i was going to use on the 20 and put another arm on the 10 which i'd kept for a second system. The cartridge was an Ortofon Cadenza Black. Over 6 months or so, as much as i liked the Model 20 i felt there was something holding it back but i couldn't put my finger on it. The Cadenza Black just wasn't giving me the excitement that an Ortofon Jubilee was when that was on the same arm but on the Model 10 turntable.

A new Ortofon AS212S tonearm came up for auction on Ebay so on a whim i bought it and ended up with it at half retail. Mounted on the Model 20 with the Cadenza Black hanging off the end it is a stunning combination with more detail, wider and deeper soundstage and all the usual audiophile cliches, but most of all is so much fun. I've never doubted the qualities of the IV arm but there is something in the synergy between cartridge and tonearm that makes all the difference.

Now if SME would put their skills to building a cartridge.............:>)

SME IV bearings- not sure when they changed to the same as the V but read it in a recent review ( possibly a review of the 20/3). I suspect it is relatively recent, but check with SME directly. Their aftermarket service support is excellent. If I was buying an SME arm I'd probably get the SME IV and rewired cartridge to phono with one run of Cardas. I believe SME will rewire these for you with any wire you want if you provide it.

Dover...you are correct.
just got done emailing a UK dealer who will rewire it for me and tells me at that point I will have a very fine arm indeed.
I believe I am very close to deciding on the 20/3 for now.
The dealer suggests the 20/12 is audibly better but at almost twice the price I'm going to have to pass for now.
The beauty of an SME is that they do hold their value, so when circumstances change and if I felt the need for that slight bit of extra depth and extension, I could trade up.
I'm surprised there aren't more Oracle votes to this question.
I am still a bit torn..maybe because I have lived happily with one for so long and know it's attributes so well....plus they look so very cool :-)

So...now the question is...20/3 or 20/12?
Almost twice the price.
That extra dough could go towards a Graham Phantom and very nice cartridge.
So for about the same money I could either have a 20/12 with 312S arm or 20/3 with Graham and extra wand for mono cart.
In the end forget the dollars...which will sound better?
Nice to have such decisions to make!

Mauidj - I would go for the 20/3 as it will give you a wider choice of arms/cartridges. Check out the improvements to the 20/3 as they may not be in the 20/12 yet. I think the extra money spent on arm/cartridge for the 20/3 will give you a better outcome.