What's unique about the brand
SME is a premium turntable brand known for its unique integration of precision engineering and traditional craftsmanship, exemplified by their Model 60 turntable with its advanced polymer resin tonearm that significantly reduces resonance. The brand stands out for its bespoke 'One of One' concept, offering 75 custom anodized colors developed by their in-house chemist, and for their distinctive DSP-driven speed control systems that ensure precise audio reproduction.
What reviewers are saying
We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:
- SME turntables and tonearms are known for their exceptional build quality and precision engineering, often utilizing materials and manufacturing techniques borrowed from the aerospace and Formula 1 industries.
- The company maintains tight control over quality by manufacturing most of the components in-house, even down to small parts, ensuring consistent standards across its product line.
- They aim for sonic neutrality in their products, focusing on extracting the most detail from the record groove without adding coloration or imposing a particular sonic character.
Our favorite reviewer quotes:
- "One of the revelatory things about the Model 60 was the way that it suppressed all extraneous noise—there was no rumble, little hiss, no environmental disturbance, and no noticeable resonance. As a result, the opening track positively exploded from the loudspeakers." (https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1154-sme-model-60-turntable-and-series-va-tonearm)
- "In terms of imaging, the Model 60 offered a soundstage that was so stable it felt like architecture hewn from granite. Nothing moved or drifted in depth or width, instruments and performers stayed absolutely secure, and thus more believable." (https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/2-uncategorised/1751-recommended-reference-component-sme-model-60-turntable-and-series-va-tonearm)
- "I don't know how anyone who hasn't been exposed to great analog reproduction would react with anything but "Wow!" to the sounds of these LPs on the Synergy. The graceful attack and natural sustain produced by this rig and the complete freedom from mechanical artifacts—plus the soundstage three-dimensionality—betters the best digital." (https://www.stereophile.com/content/analog-corner-291-sme-synergy-lp-player-boulder-508-phono-preamplifier)
- "However, I'm thinking the silky, sweet, effortless presentation—a floating sensation so fundamentally different and more enticing than my sonic recollections of any of the many SME turntables I've positively reviewed in the past—must in great part be due to the new Series VA arm's low to non-existent resonant character. This may sound oxymoronic, but the arm is noticeably not there." (https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/sme-model-60-turntable-and-va-series-tonearm)
- "Combine that floating sensation (which has nothing to do with it being a suspended table!) with as black a backdrop as I've heard from only the best vinyl record playback, with speed stability and rhythmic vitality that's direct-drive-like (the somewhat more speed-precise and far more costly OMA K3 sits adjacent), and you have a formidable combination, more importantly one that elicits as much love as it does the usual SME respect." (https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/sme-model-60-turntable-and-va-series-tonearm)
- "The nuances found in his simple strumming, the air around the performer, the sound of fingers on strings, the thumps on the guitar body, the character of the strings themselves: if you truly value 'in the room' realism, the SME 20/12 and 312S will allow your cartridge to retrieve and reproduce it with alarming authenticity." (https://hometheaterreview.com/sme-2012-and-312s-tonearm-reviewed)
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Products
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Lineup comparison
We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.
MK2 Synergy:
- Positioning: An integrated turntable positioned as a high-end, all-in-one solution in the SME lineup.
- Description: Offers a seamless vinyl experience with its built-in phono stage and factory-matched moving coil cartridge. Its advanced drive system enhances speed control and stability, setting it apart from the Model 12 and Model 15, which require separate components.
Model 12-2:
- Positioning: The entry-level high-performance turntable in the SME lineup, offering precision engineering at a more accessible price point.
- Description: Praised for its compact design and high mass, providing a dynamic sound that is perfect for smaller rooms or setups. Unlike the more advanced Model 15, it features a simpler suspension system, making it a great choice for those who want quality sound without the complexity of higher-end models.
Model 15-2:
- Positioning: A mid-range turntable that bridges the gap between the entry-level and high-end models in the SME lineup.
- Description: Delivers a dynamic audio performance with its high-density construction and advanced drive system, making it a step up from the Model 12-2. It offers a more sophisticated suspension system compared to the Model 12-2, providing better resonance control and sound clarity.
Model 30:
- Positioning: A former flagship turntable, offering top-tier performance and engineering excellence in the SME lineup.
- Description: Celebrated for its outstanding dynamics and heavy mass construction, providing reference-standard performance that surpasses the Model 20. Its sophisticated drive system and fluid damping offer exceptional speed control and vibration management.
Used
SME
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What other products pair best with yours?
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