Different sounds for sure the gyrodek not have the scale of the 20/2 and control in the bottom registers and stability, there are also different power supply updates even off the current type of psu and there are differences to be had. I find the suspension bands on sme turntables go hard and need to be replaced every two years the difference is quite huge. There is a lot to be said for sme ownership and would never put one off buying one. I tend to prefer the arms on other decks and the decks fitted with other manufacturers tonearms that's just me. Some older 20,s had tight bearings that could cause problems especially in cold climates. I would always factor a service and get the tonearm checked at the same time. The gyro while not the most transparent deck around and even the most stable sound is not a bad deck for sure for what it is.
I remember years back when I owned a 20/2 sending back for a service thinking my deck sounding great sounded so much better when it came back.
Most important and used Walker Black Diamond Etsuro Gold, Micro Seiki 8000mk2 Kondo special V12 Tiger Eye, Fidelity Research FR 66 Shindo spu, EMT 927, sme 312 aluminium. Fidelity research fr66, Sme 3012 mk1, Sme V, Ikeda 407 IT Sme Model 30/2/Dynavector 507 Kodo Beat Turntable Airtangent 10B modified Fidelity fr66s Etsuro Cartridge . Kondo Gakuoh Mk1 powers G70 Pre,Audio Tekne TFA-8695PCS pre Audio Tekne TEA 8695 Phono. Lfd Battery Phono Stage heavily custom rebuilt by Dr Richard Bews, Tharx Phono Stage. Lfd Master Dual Biamp power amp, Lfd Anniversary master preamp. Shindo Latour Field Coil. Rockport Cygnus Biamped, Voigt Domestic Corner Horns/ Feastex Fildcoils. LFD Custom silver Ribbons. LFD Diamond Vipor Mk2 interconnects, Lfd Golden Cobra interconnect. Koetsu blue lace mono special order, Koetsu burma jade mono special order.