Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Very vibration resistant, due to its plinth constructed from a solid block of hard polymer resin and shaped using a CNC machine
- Provides a stable environment that allows the phono cartridge to perform as designed
- Main bearing spindle and drive pulleys are made with the same precision as SME high-end turntables
- Offers superb precision and resolution, delivering an authoritative performance brimming with control and insight
- Taut, wonderfully precise bass performance, and sounds consistent throughout the whole frequency range
Product Considerations
- The feet are self-leveling only if put on a level surface
- Instructions do not mention the importance of leveling the supporting shelf
- The screw-down three-piece record clamp is unusable without rocking or prying, which could be bad for bearing health
- The manual's instructions for setting VTA/SRA and azimuth are inadequate
- SME no longer sells arms other than mounted on its own turntables
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Model 6 doesn't have the exuberance of the Vertere DG-1, or quite the musical fluidity of Rega's Planar 10
Takeaway: The Model 6 is a superbly made and capable record player that lives up to the brand's heritage, offering precision, stability, and composure. This could be a great choice for someone who has always wanted one of the company's turntables but could never stretch to buying one.
All
Model 6
reviews

Manufacturer details
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- 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.
Select products
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.
Our take on the brand
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Used
SME
What if you spend more?
The Diamond Anniversary is a significant milestone in the long history of SME with many great achievements made and still being made from inception in 1946 to becoming a premier and unique high end audio company today. In celebration of our illustrious past and exciting future this exclusive Diamond Anniversary turntable is developed from the award winning Synergy. The Diamond Series Model 12 is machine finished to demonstrate the definitive precision, sharp lines and creative cosmetic profile. The hand finished fine detail is an expression of the handcrafted skills that SME is famous for. The black chrome contrast highlights and compliments this distinctive audio engineering masterpiece. The Model 12 turntable shares the unique styling of Synergy and comes complete with the highly acclaimed SME 309 tonearm and Crystal Cable wiring as standard.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Meticulous workmanship, ultra-precision machining, fanatical attention to detail, fit, finish, and finesse are present, and not least the lustrous industrial aesthetics that it's known for.
- Neutrality, deep background blackness, and a dynamic range that is second to none.
- SME components provide as "together" a presentation as the state-of-the-art allows, by which it means that things start and stop at the same time or not as required by the music and the performers.
- SME claims that the motor is "ultra-low noise" and "virtually vibration-less", and this is born out in listening, as no hint of motor noise being passed along to the platter was detected, nor of any effects from the 1MHz microprocessor servo system except that of rock-solid speed accuracy and stability.
- Easy to setup, even for people in remote locations who can sort it out themselves without any specialist equipment, in under an hour.
Product Considerations
- Some suspended turntables couldn't support it without bottoming out due to its heavy weight.
- Some see the latter as hifi heresy, but there's no denying that if one needs to regularly swap cartridges, this facility is essential.
- The Model 12A doesn't quite have the 'hewn from granite' low end of its siblings, things are just a little lightened and loosened.
- This deck carried things brilliantly, with a lovely silky sheen to cymbals, alloyed to a sonorous metal clang.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Model 12A provides the modern look and style of Synergy with a much higher specification and performance than the outgoing Model 10.
- The 12A is a clear advance over the 10A, the new ownership is honoring the tradition.
- Compared to a Michell Orbe, it was considerably less wide, left-to-right, but did hang images back further and was also more precise about where it put individual elements of the mix.
- Yet it does more in some respects to justify its price than rivals like Linn's similarly priced LP12 variant and the Michell Orbe.
Takeaway: It is a great record player with an easy setup and excellent sound quality that makes music sound great. It is an affordable way to get a really good turntable with great design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The Naia epitomizes Rega's design philosophies, and its sonic performance confirms this
- Exceptionally capable, setting a sky-high standard for resolution and transparency
- Incredibly neutral and transparent for a vinyl source, doing a more effective job of getting out of the way and letting the record itself be the story
- Genuinely high end and trades blows with the best, but is no more demanding in use than one at a tenth of the price
- Delivers better timing than 99.9% of audio sources–analogue or digital
Product Considerations
- The foam edges on the plinth look a little unfinished
- An otherwise admirably off-hand approach to music-making did leave some wanting more in the way of rhythmic drive
- Can expose weaknesses in record quality, so upgrades to some of your record collection may be needed
- Minimalist design and understatement might not impress those unfamiliar with high-end audio
- The removable dust cover doesn't offer quite the same protection as a more conventional lid and, combined with the fairly small stylus guard on the cart, means Rega is slightly more vulnerable than some rivals
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Rega Planar 10, the Naia brings it closer technologically and, unfortunately, in price, but it is also better in every way, and the measured performance demonstrates that the Naia is a step above the Planar 10
- Vs Rega Planar 10, the Naia gets significantly more information out of records, has a lower apparent noise floor and even better timing
- Vs Technics SL-1000R, the Rega is significantly better with low-frequency transients, delivering them with greater heft and power while also revealing that the Technics has a slightly sludgy quality in comparison
- Vs Linn Seleckt LP12, the Naia is more neutral and transparent
Takeaway: The Naia is a high-performance turntable that offers exceptional clarity and detail, providing a very neutral sound. If you want a turntable that reveals every nuance in your vinyl collection, the Naia is worth considering.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The VPI Avenger Table was originally a project started by Harry over 12 years ago. In the process of the design, the project was dropped in mid-production due to excessive demand by HR-X customers which left the design and proto-type chassis to be mothballed. The good news about the abandoned design is Harry instead shifted his focus to starting and completing the VPI Classic Turntable.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Customizable and upgradable, it can handle up to three tonearms
- It produces a big soundstage with life-like proportions and scale, which provides a holographic sound
- Offers an effortless power and control and is unflappable at any volume
- VPI's chassis is versatile, allowing a different and more complex drive system
- Has great speed stability
Product Considerations
- Setup is critical and may require assistance from an experienced dealer or audiophile
- It can be sensitive to vibrations from the room and speakers, requiring careful placement and isolation
- It may not suit those wanting a 4/4 beat to everything, because it does not emphasize the beat in the way that a suspended turntable does
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Minimizes resonance problems with both moving-coil and moving-iron cartridges
- Avenger Direct has the speed stability of the best direct drives
- Avenger Direct is competitive in overall level of detail and silence, sometimes slightly superior, to the VPI Classic Direct
- The three-legged layout solves the problem of accommodating two tonearms
- Compared to VPI Scout 21, the Deep In The Night track has depth and scale to it that's grander in every direction and dimension via the Avenger
Takeaway: The VPI Avenger is a high-end turntable with a customizable design and strong performance, offering great sound quality and the ability to use multiple tonearms. With its solid engineering and powerful sound, it is built to deliver great sound from vinyl records, allowing listeners to hear music with a new level of engagement.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Offers a sweet spot in price/performance terms
- Delivers a quintessential Sondek sound, and is highly emotional
- Unlocks the music in real time, making for an extremely immersive sound
- Strong and taut bass
- Sounds sweet, refined, and smooth
Product Considerations
- Setting up an LP12 needs to be done by someone who knows what they are doing
- The Kendo MC cartridge feels very exposed
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Is a definite step up from the Majik LP12
Takeaway: The Linn Selekt LP12 embodies the best of the venerable turntable in its classical form, offering high-quality engineering and an immersive sound. It's a worthwhile option for those seeking a significant upgrade in their vinyl listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Very classy sense of flow and coherence that produces a great listening experience
- Low bass was deeper and very solid compared to the Rega P10
- Nicely filled in the upper bass/low mid area to achieve a gorgeous vocal sound
- Got the benefit of the Acora granite rack and the Iconoclast cables
- Got the delicate tonality of ride cymbal pings and silky crashes more right
Product Considerations
- Feet are not adjustable, and the non-slotted headshell doesn't allow for zenith adjustment
- Box size and top location of speed controls on the motor controller could be a pain
- Ground screw for attaching tonearm cable grounding requires a jeweler's screwdriver to loosen and tighten a ground wire
- Manual's instructions for setting VTA/SRA and azimuth are inadequate
- Screw-down three-piece record clamp can be unusable because the plastic-collet center piece gripped too tightly
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Rega P10, the SME Model 6 Classic had a listening experience more similar to the TW-Acustic than to the Rega
- Compared to the Rega P10, low bass was deeper and very solid compared to the P10
- Compared to the Rega P10, the Rega had its famous rock and roll sense of drive and excitement, seeming more detailed with more slam on leading-edge transients, having a wider image, while the SME had greater dimensionality
- Compared to the Rega P10, the P10 was not smeary or lacked control in the lower octaves, it simply felt lighter compared to the SME
- Compared to the TW-Acustic Raven LS, the TW-Acustic/Dynavector combo was the clear winner in every area
Takeaway: The SME Model 6 Classic provides a very high level of performance with a classy sense of flow and coherence. It is an understated British hifi performer, eschewing flash for performative substance.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Shares the plinth, bearing and suspension design with higher-end LP12 models
- Great build quality and finish, made with precision aluminum and stainless-steel components
- Offers upgrade paths with higher quality phono cartridges, arms, chassis, and power supplies
- Known for its musicality and ability to make listeners forget about typical audio criteria and focus on enjoying the music
- Great value package bringing LP12 ownership to a wider audience without major compromise
Product Considerations
- Requires professional setup and adjustment
- Speed change to 45rpm requires fitting a pulley adaptor, which may be annoying for some users
- Footfall and external vibrations can affect performance, requiring a lightweight and rigid support
- Some reviewers found the bundled Adikt moving magnet cartridge to be the weakest link in the system
- Lid is an optional extra, which may come as a surprise
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Technics SL-1200G: Majik LP12 offers a more relaxed and beguiling sound, while the Technics is crisper and tighter
- Vs Origin Live Calypso Multilayer/Silver: Majik LP12 sits in the middle, more relaxed than the Technics SL-1200G—but not as expansive and tonally natural as the Origin Live Calypso Multilayer/Silver
- Vs Thorens TD160 HD or Michell's Gyrodec SE: Majik LP12 has a relaxed warmth and fluidity that the others do not
Takeaway: The Majik LP12 is a well-built, musically engaging turntable that brings the classic Linn sound to a more accessible price point. It's a great way to get into vinyl and enjoy records without being distracted by technicalities and has plenty of upgrade options available.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Heavy weight and high mass design combats resonant frequencies and provides a stable platform for playing vinyl records
- Delivers a clean, dynamic sound with superb imaging and soundstage
- The motor is integrated into the chassis giving the turntable a very clean look
Product Considerations
- No dust cover/lid is included
- No ground/earth cable included with the RCA's
- RB330 tonearm is not known for its easy adjustment and cartridge matching
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- TTP has similar solidity of image and body to the Thorens TD-124 and Garrard 301 idler-wheel turntables
Takeaway: The Cyrus Audio TTP is a well-engineered turntable that delivers engaging music from a stable platform and a clean background. It offers a blend of modern technology, thoughtful design, and flexible upgrade options.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sleek acrylic construction that is visually appealing and acoustically excellent
- A beautifully open window onto the performance, achieved in a commandingly authoritative manner
- Muscular sounding, exhibiting a solid grip on the music, especially through the bass and into the lower midrange
- Utterly coherent, with an uncanny ability to untangle complex music
- Precision opened up the record, presenting sometimes-busy albums as if they were giant paintings
Product Considerations
- Consistency of speed was not what was expected from a turntable of this pedigree
- The headshell lacks sufficient offset angle, so rotation of an MM or MC slightly inwards may be needed
- If a cartridge is less than about 17mm tall, spacers may be needed to use it with the M8xTT's arm
- Acrylic scratches easily and shows dust, so care must be taken when cleaning
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The M1 was always a little soft at the low end, but the Musical Fidelity's new model couldn't be more different
Takeaway: The M8xTT is a wonderful turntable with exceptional sound quality and outstanding construction. The crystalline chrome-and-acrylic chassis and visual effect of the spinning platter make it a thrilling machine to use.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Designed by Allen Perkins, incorporating groundbreaking technologies and design principles.
- Every component is designed to work in perfect harmony, extracting every nuance and detail from vinyl collection.
- Features a three-point isolation system with Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) feet.
- Has a 10-inch dual-pivot carbon-fiber tonearm with Cardas Audio internal wiring.
- Offers speed options and trim control.
Product Considerations
- Setup is extremely critical and may require assistance.
- The tonearm rest requires a strong pull to secure the arm, which can cause the arm to ricochet if not handled carefully.
- Additional head shells should be purchased with the turntable, if the user anticipates swapping them to use different cartridges.
- Maintenance parts may be difficult to secure for the next 40 years.
- The design is not for those looking to customize the table with different tonearm mounts and components.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to StudioDeck and UltraDeck, the MasterDeck's collar screw drive VTA adjustment is easier to set and more precise in its movement.
Takeaway: The MasterDeck is a well-engineered turntable that delivers realism and detail while keeping the musical enjoyment alive. Its innovative design and precision components provide a high-quality listening experience for vinyl enthusiasts.
Video review
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