I read a review somewhere that said that a recent 20 is very close performance wise to a 30. Is there a site that documents all the changes made to the decks over the years?
Interesting comment from Michael Fremer who is familiar with the SME line, perhaps he is the Guru.
The problem with Fremer is that AFAIK, the last time he had a 30 in his system was about ten years ago. I don't think he has ever had a 30/12 in his setup nor a V12.
To make comparisons with decks that you owned five or ten years previously is a somewhat dangerous pursuit. Aural memory is fickle at the best of times.
I would take more heed of those who have heard the decks and arms side by side than I would Fremer to be honest.
Kessler would qualify as that but you have no idea whether he is writing the truth or not, or indeed whether his opinions are relevant to you. He certainly isn't from the pace rhythm and timing school of audiophilia.
Then there are dealers who may or may not have a vested interest in telling you something that could be distorted at best. Some are reliable - but few, and then it's often only applicable if you share their vision. For instance, Kevin at Definitive is a gentleman, but his preferences are dictated by the colourful systems that he advocates and sells.
So finally that leaves us with forum people who own or have owned the products. Again, as you don't usually know them from Adam nor know their sonic priorities, it's difficult to place much faith in what they say unless you have become familiar with them over a period of time.
So that leaves personal comparison and trial. It's the only reliable way to be sure that what you are getting is what you want. You cut out the noise and make your own mind up.
That's what I tend to do. I get attached to very few pieces of audio as I try so many. I can make my own comparisons and when someone else writes something similar I tend to listen to them.
So back to the larger 30's. The bottom end on the big SME's is so heavily damped and tight that it's difficult to imagine it sounding heavy or syrupy in any setup. I can imagine people preferring more lively decks and more rhythmical ones certainly, but if that's your bag then I wouldn't be buying a 20/3 - I would be looking at a number of other (and possibly cheaper) options.