SME Model 60 Flagship Turntable – First Look

All Image Credit: AV2D

If you have $66,000 dollars burning a hole in your pocket and are a vinyl enthusiast, this maybe a good time to update your turntable and tonearm.

Founded in 1946 in Steyning, West Sussex, England, SME enjoys a legendary reputation amongst tonearm and turntable fans. From the early 3009 arm, that I owned, to the Series V tonearm introduced in 1984, all provided exceptional performance and craftsmanship. Unfortunately in December 2019 SME took the decision to only supply their tonearms with one of their then and now, well established high end turntables.

SME has now presented a new turntable of superlatives with its Model 60. Sitting atop SME’s range of turntables this flagship model features all the immaculate precision engineering we’ve come to expect from SME. Weighing in at approximately 141lbs, (64Kg) and featuring a high-precision platter bearing that is hydraulically damped, the precision-machined aluminum turntable is supported by two aluminum panels that are elaborately decoupled from each other using a revised version of of the SME’s distinctive isolation system. This decoupling system isolates both vertically and horizontally via polymer cylinders and belts and the corner tower adjustable feet are decoupled from the main structure using a special polymer, thereby providing even further isolation.

This exceptional design is supported by a completely redesigned motor/control system that separates the main AC power transformer from the standalone control electronics and turntable. Ensuring that any possible interference is kept to an absolute minimum.

This flagship turntable is accompanied by an updated Series 5A tonearm that was originally introduced back in 1984. The ‘A’ stands for advanced indicating that the original tapered magnesium armtube has been replaced with one that’s machined from a solid block of high-tech composite material and has an effective mass of approximately 14grams. This materials well-damped performance aids in reducing arm resonances, while its rigidity is increased by having a unique cross-section that looks like a triangle with curved sides (Reuleaux triangle).

The standard Model 60 comes in anodized black or brushed silver, while the hand-finished ‘diamond’ silver finish or one of the colored options adding a 10-15% price premium depending on your choice of color.