VPI vs SME 20/12
Cemil Gandur -- Thu, 01/22/2009 - 09:24
Does anyone have any opinion on the relative merits / differences between the VPI SupperScoutmaster and the SME 20/12 ?
I own the VPI, but with the massive drop in the pound vs the dollar, the SME suddenly looks pretty attractive and I might be able to work out a part exchange.
Thanks
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Palacefan...I am sure that your TW is a lovely arm/table and you are obviously very happy with it. But this thread has nothing to do with TW. The OP asked a very specific question which you have not answered.
I had this happen several times on a different site when I asked a similar question about SME. TW fans came out of the woodwork to try and convince me of the merits of their tables over SME's.
While the tables and arms may be very different in build and sound, to suggest one is "in a different league" is silly. You may like it a lot more but that does not take away from the attributes of the SME products. Attributes universally praised by most major reviewers and publications world wide. Your idea of sparkle is another person's idea of over brightness. I invite you to come listen to my 20/12 with Strain Gauge any time so you can hear my idea of musicality. More musicallity than this would be "unmusical", but that's just my opinion ;-)
I have never heard the VPI but I am very happy with my 20/12 and would recommend the OP to give it an audition.
Aloha!
Post of the day!
The OP (that's me) has had the 20/12 with a V-12 since a few years now - shortly after the post. FWIW, I substantially prefer the SME to the TW, but others can have the reverse position. We've all got different ears, different tastes in music and are sensitive to different things in the musical presentation. It is nonsense to compare these products as if in a race.
Cemil, That is a nice combination. Congratulations. I have three questions: What cartridge are you using and did you use the SME protractor for alignment or some other device? Finally, have you ever verified the speed stability and accuracy of the SME 20/12? Thank you.
Hi Peter,
Sorry for the late reply, but I have not checked the forum for a long while. I am (still) using a Dyna XV1-S on the SME; it works great in the arm, but is due for a change soon. I have used the SME alignment protractor to set up but double checked it with the one from Feickert. I have checked the speed stability of the 20/12 at 33rpm and 45 rpm and have not encountered any problems at either speed. There doesn't seem to be any drift over time either (but it's been a good 6 months since my last check - perhaps this weekend).
Very well said, Mauidi. I have noticed this about TW owners as well. They have a thing for SME.
I have an SME table and arm and any more sparkle means there is some high frequency distortion going on. Some untamed resonance, IMO. I find the SME tables to be very neutral and true-to-the-source transparent.
Hello moderators, a spammer has arrived!
As a long time SME user in my view the TW 10.5 arm is in a different league in fact vastly superior but I had no intention of upsetting SME or VPI users,so if it helps TW Acustic tonearms are crap .
I don't think any one here was upset by your comments but when you use phrases like "different league" you have to expect some opposing thoughts.
I for one acknowledged that you arm is probably very fine so not sure what has sparked your sarcastic response.
Meanwhile congrats to Cemil on you "old" purchase. Hope you are enjoying it.
I personally used a DP Protractor to set my alignment. I find it very easy to use and very accurate.
What cartridge are you using?
Mods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have an sme 20 2a turntable with sme 5 and I love ii. I can' t say it is slightly clinical but I use now a tube phono preamp(ear 912 with nos tubes) with a Lyra Delos. I think that the sound is due for major thing by the phono preamp: then you have the turntable the cartridge and the rest. I can just say that turntables I heard with acrylic platters sound a little clinical...