There are several ways to reduce the manufacturing cost of a record player, including dropping standards and making a similar but downgraded product at a reduced price. Alternatively, the approach that SME has chosen with the Model 6 is to start with a clean sheet but keep the engineering quality as high as ever. In fact, the company claims that the new Model 6 is built to exactly the same impressive engineering standards as any of its pricier decks.

This all-new deck still looks every inch an SME. It is sized to resemble the classic Model 20, but the design shows that the company isn’t afraid to move away from tradition. Until this point, all of its turntables have used thick slabs of heavily machined aluminium for their plinths. While this is a great solution that gives impressive rigidity, it’s also hugely expensive, so the engineers set about finding an alternative.

Their solution is a plinth made of a high-density resin material. This is CNC-machined and is claimed to have excellent rigidity and damping properties combined with high mass – just the attributes SME wanted.

Traditionally, the company’s decks have always used an elegant ‘O’ ring suspended sub-chassis arrangement to isolate the record-playing surface from environmental disturbances. That system isn’t viable at this lower price point, so the main bearing and arm assembly are protected from external energy by a vibration-absorbing silicone-based rubber compound from the aerospace industry. It is used both inside the plinth and on the chassis feet.

If our description of the plinth and isolating materials seem a little vague that’s because SME is pretty tight-lipped about the specifics. It doesn’t want to share the benefits of its research with rivals.
Speeds (rpm) 33.33, 45

Electric speed change Yes

Manual operation Yes

Automatic operation No

Tonearm included Yes

Belt drive Yes

USB port No

Suspension Yes

Finishes 1

Dimensions (hwd) 9 x 42 x 32cm

There are several ways to reduce the manufacturing cost of a record player, including dropping standards and making a similar but downgraded product at a reduced price. Alternatively, the approach that SME has chosen with the Model 6 is to start with a clean sheet but keep the engineering quality as high as ever. In fact, the company claims that the new Model 6 is built to exactly the same impressive engineering standards as any of its pricier decks.

This all-new deck still looks every inch an SME. It is sized to resemble the classic Model 20, but the design shows that the company isn’t afraid to move away from tradition. Until this point, all of its turntables have used thick slabs of heavily machined aluminium for their plinths. While this is a great solution that gives impressive rigidity, it’s also hugely expensive, so the engineers set about finding an alternative.

Their solution is a plinth made of a high-density resin material. This is CNC-machined and is claimed to have excellent rigidity and damping properties combined with high mass – just the attributes SME wanted.

Traditionally, the company’s decks have always used an elegant ‘O’ ring suspended sub-chassis arrangement to isolate the record-playing surface from environmental disturbances. That system isn’t viable at this lower price point, so the main bearing and arm assembly are protected from external energy by a vibration-absorbing silicone-based rubber compound from the aerospace industry. It is used both inside the plinth and on the chassis feet.

If our description of the plinth and isolating materials seem a little vague that’s because SME is pretty tight-lipped about the specifics. It doesn’t want to share the benefits of its research with rivals.
Speeds (rpm) 33.33, 45

Electric speed change Yes

Manual operation Yes

Automatic operation No

Tonearm included Yes

Belt drive Yes

USB port No

Suspension Yes

Finishes 1

Dimensions (hwd) 9 x 42 x 32cm

Main Chassis

With a compact footprint, the main chassis is precision machined from a solid billet of premium grade aerospace aluminium, ensuring an inert and stable base for the suspension and sub-chassis to reside on.  With multiple CNC machining processes of this crucial component, once machined the main chassis goes through an extensive handcrafted finishing programme to reach the standards SME are famous for.

Damping

The turntable is supported on four large polymer isolators inside adjustable feet, which allow for quick and easy levelling. Machined from a single billet of aluminium, the trilateral sub-chassis, which firmly holds the close tolerance main bearing and tonearm, is mounted on three suspension columns, providing impressive isolation.

Spindle

The main spindle is 19 mm (3/4″) machined from high chrome tool steel.  It is machine ground, super finished and supported in a sealed housing with individually matched sintered bronze bearings of generous proportions needed to support the platter.

Platter

Machined from aluminium alloy and weighing over 4.6 kg (10 lbs), the platter is perfectly dampened with an ultra-specialist space grade isodamp material unique to SME. The top surface is diamond-turned with a fine scroll carefully calculated for firmly engaging records to the platter. The substantial chrome-plated and logo engraved reflex clamp ensures the largest possible platter contact, even when an appreciable record warp is present.

Motor

The turntable is driven by a 3 phase, brushless out runner motor with 8-pole Neodymium magnets and three integrated hall effect sensors.  Contained within a precision-machined housing, the total motor assembly is virtually vibration-less, as its 2.5 kg (5.5lbs) weight is isolated from the sub chassis by urethane mounts and spikes.

Speed Control

The electronic control unit uses a high-performance microprocessor, optimised for motor control. Closed loop speed control is implemented using a proportional plus integral (PI) algorithm. Speed ranges are 33.3, 45 & 78 rpm, with fine pitch speed adjustment allowing increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of the selected speed.

The electronic control circuitry and power supply unit are housed in an external one-piece CNC machined case. This new design offers complete isolation and support and is the perfect environment for the electronics.  Speed selection controls are mounted on the front facia panel with LED indicators.

Tonearm

The Model 12A comes equipped with an SME Model 309 one-piece magnesium tonearm that uses advanced metal techniques to produce an exceptionally rigid arm. With a detachable magnesium headshell that features an advanced style coupling, the Series 309 tonearm offers the convenience of rapid cartridge interchange without any reduction when it comes to rigidity. Constrained layers within the tonearm work to dampen any minute residual vibrations through the SME Series 309 Tonearm, making it one of the most acoustically inert tonearms available on the market. Internal wiring is supplied by specialist high end audio cable manufacturer Crystal Cable.

With the new Model 12A, SME have once again demonstrated audio engineering excellence delivering a world class precision turntable for the discerning audiophile and high end audio enthusiast.

Model 15 Turntable

The Model 15 could be described as "the ultimate in recovery vehicles", allowing the cartridge to retrieve the last nth of recorded material whether digital or analogue, from the vinyl disc and thus approaches the ultimate in perfection. Receiving its inspiration from the superb Model 10 precision turntable the Model 15 seeks to emulate the excellence of our Models 20/3/& 30/2 turntable whilst retaining the more compact footprint preferred by many of our enthusiasts.

The Model 15 has been designed with the same attention to detail combined with simplicity of operation that has come to be expected from all SME products. Its superb performance together with laid back styling make it a glamourouse addition to your sound system that will astound and amaze listeners for many years to come.

Model 20/3 Turntable

This finely engineered precision turntable is built to the same exacting standard and incorporates many design features originated for the Model 20/12. Massive construction, extensional damping of major surfaces and lack of vibration from moving parts ensures exceptional detail, resolution and uncoloured performance.

A turntable should address the problems of extraneous vibrations. These emanate from numerous sources including air and structural vibration from loudspeakers, groove modulation, stray electrical fields and mechanical imperfections in moving parts. In the Model 20/3, superb instrument quality machining is allied with fundamental physics. The higher the mass and stiffness of a body the less it will flex and vibrate; the duration of a vibration can be shortened by suitable damping.

Model 20/12 Turntable
A larger and more massive version of our well known Model 20/2. It will accept nine, ten and twelve-inch arms but is especially directed at the exciting Model 312S. This offers a performance some 27% better than a nine-inch arm in respect of angular error distortion. The wand and headshell are pressure die-cast in magnesium and are 27g lighter than they would be in aluminium.

Probably the stiffest and lightest twelve-inch arms ever made these dual problems are at last addressed and on listening, the benefits of minimal tracking error and harmonic distortion are clearly revealed. A turntable should address the problems of extraneous vibrations. These emanate from numerous sources including air and structural vibration from loudspeakers, groove modulation, stray electrical fields and mechanical imperfections in moving parts.

Model 30/2 Turntable

With its many original design features the Model 30/2 is a unique turntable. There are no critical adjustments or setting up procedures. Its immaculate construction and finish stem from facilities and uncompromising quality control which have made SME a byword for engineering excellence. Judged by Germany’s AUDIO 'the best turntable of all time' the Model 30/2 can be for the fortunate owner of an analogue collection the key to lasting musical enjoyment.

SME have built pick-up arms for more than thirty-five years and the design and engineering experience gained has been applied in the Model 30/2, a precision turntable created to compliment the SME Series V regarded by many as: 'the best pick-up arm in the world'. In common with this arm the design of the Model 30/2 takes special account of sonic considerations and with equipment of comparable quality can provide a listening experience that allows L.P. sound to be re-assessed. Detail, resolution, and neutrality are of a new order with a dynamic range that does justice to the original sound.

Model 30/12 Turntable

A larger version of our well known Model 30/2, it will accept nine, ten and twelve inch arms but is especially directed at the exciting Series V-12. This offers performance 27% better than a nine inch arm in respect of angular error distortion. Its immaculate construction and finish stem from facilities and uncompromising quality control which have made the name SME a byword for engineering excellence.

Created as a companion and to compliment the Series V~12, the Model 30/12 precision turntable enjoys all of the features associated the Model 30/2 precision turntable. The differences are merely ones of scale. The suspension now provides 60 purpose moulded ‘O’ rings supporting the sub-chassis, which has been increased in thickness by some 16%, on one hundred and twenty strands of rubber. The main chassis has received similar attention but in this case the thickness has been increased by 19%. Small differences but necessary to afford the increased rigidity required to ensure acoustic neutrality.

Diamond Model 30/2A Turntable

With its many original design features the Diamond Model 30/2A is a unique turntable. There are no critical adjustments or setting up procedures. Its immaculate construction and finish stem from facilities and uncompromising quality control which have made SME a byword for engineering excellence. Judged by Germany’s AUDIO 'the best turntable of all time' the Diamond Model 30/2A can be for the fortunate owner of an analogue collection the key to lasting musical enjoyment.

SME have built pick-up arms for more than thirty-five years and the design and engineering experience gained has been applied in the Diamond Model 30/2A a precision turntable created to compliment the SME Series V regarded by many as: 'the best pick-up arm in the world'. In common with this arm the design of the Diamond Model 30/2A takes special account of sonic considerations and with equipment of comparable quality can provide a listening experience that allows L.P. sound to be re-assessed. Detail, resolution, and neutrality are of a new order with a dynamic range that does justice to the original sound.

Synergy is a precision engineered turntable and our first integrated turntable featuring a built-in phono stage with a factory matched moving coil cartridge and premium grade signal cables, combining the finest components from some of the world’s best high-end audio brands. Synergy exemplifies our desire to continue creating world-class audio products and delivering the ultimate vinyl replay experience without compromise.

synergy is a precision engineered turntable and our first integrated turntable featuring a built-in phono stage with a factory matched moving coil cartridge and premium grade signal cables, combining the finest components from some of the world’s best high-end audio brands. Synergy exemplifies our desire to continue creating world-class audio products and delivering the ultimate vinyl replay experience without compromise.

The electronic control unit uses a high-performance microprocessor, optimised for motor control. Closed loop speed control is implemented using a proportional plus integral (PI) algorithm. Speed ranges are 33.3, 45 & 78 rpm, with fine pitch speed adjustment allowing increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of the selected speed.

The electronic control circuitry and power supply unit are housed in an external one-piece CNC machined case. This new design offers complete isolation and support and is the perfect environment for the electronics.  Speed selection controls are mounted on the front facia panel with LED indicators.

Synergy Diamond is a precision engineered turntable and our first integrated turntable featuring a built-in phono stage with a factory matched moving coil cartridge and premium grade signal cables, combining the finest components from some of the world’s best high-end audio brands. Synergy exemplifies our desire to continue creating world-class audio products and delivering the ultimate vinyl replay experience without compromise.

synergy is a precision engineered turntable and our first integrated turntable featuring a built-in phono stage with a factory matched moving coil cartridge and premium grade signal cables, combining the finest components from some of the world’s best high-end audio brands. Synergy exemplifies our desire to continue creating world-class audio products and delivering the ultimate vinyl replay experience without compromise.

The electronic control unit uses a high-performance microprocessor, optimised for motor control. Closed loop speed control is implemented using a proportional plus integral (PI) algorithm. Speed ranges are 33.3, 45 & 78 rpm, with fine pitch speed adjustment allowing increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of the selected speed.

The electronic control circuitry and power supply unit are housed in an external one-piece CNC machined case. This new design offers complete isolation and support and is the perfect environment for the electronics.  Speed selection controls are mounted on the front facia panel with LED indicators.

The Model 60 is the most technically advanced SME turntable ever made, evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence, innovation and perfection, delivering precise and pure audio reproduction. Extremely high build quality, close tolerance precision engineered componentry, striking design and a range of none painted uniquely engineered finishes.

Brushed Black
Brushed Metal Black Anodised Surface Finish with Black Detailing.

Brushed Silver
Brushed Metal Silver Anodised Surface Finish with Black Detailing.

The Model 60 is the most technically advanced SME turntable ever made, evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence, innovation and perfection, delivering precise and pure audio reproduction. Extremely high build quality, close tolerance precision engineered componentry, striking design and a range of none painted uniquely engineered finishes.

Honeycomb
Machined Honeycomb Pattern with Anodised Surface Finish and Black Contrast Detailing available in Black, Blue, or Silver.

The Model 60 is the most technically advanced SME turntable ever made, evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence, innovation and perfection, delivering precise and pure audio reproduction. Extremely high build quality, close tolerance precision engineered componentry, striking design and a range of none painted uniquely engineered finishes.


Diamond
Machined Cosmetic Pattern with Hand Polished Surface Finish. Polished Aluminium with Black Anodised Contrasting.

The most technically advanced SME precision turntable ever made the Model 60 is available as a bespoke ONE of ONE signature commission. These individual masterpieces are a work of art, hand-made to order exclusively for you, by our team of highly skilled craftspeople.