DETAILS
PRODUCT SME Model 60/ Series VA
ORIGIN UK
TYPE Belt-driven turntable/tonearm
WEIGHT 48kg
DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 557 x 212 x 417mm
FEATURES
● 33 and 45rpm
● Series VA tonearm
● Electronic speed control
DISTRIBUTOR SME Limited
WEBSITE sme.co.uk
If the engineers at SME felt the need for a motivational quote or two while working on the company’s new turntable, arguably Rolls-Royce co-founder Sir Henry Royce’s: “Take the best that exists and make it better” would have been an ideal choice. This summed up the challenge facing the UK company in designing a successor to the previous Model 30 flagship – the result is the £50,000 SME Model 60, which has a pretty tough act to follow.
The Model 30, originally released in 1989, and its 30/2 and 30/12 updates are regarded by some as the pinnacle of turntable engineering, and the fact the arrival of SME’s new flagship has been over 30 years in the making suggests that the company wasn't in any rush to topple its own crown. For those wondering what happened to the Models 40 and 50, the 60's appellation celebrates the diamond anniversary of SME's first hi-fi product, the 3009 tonearm released back in 1959.
Elegant curves
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Old boys network
As the lineups start to emerge for this summer's festivals, Nigel Williamson investigates where the problem lies for the continuing dearth of female headliners
DESTINATION: LEITH
Welcome to a friendly haven of Californian cool in the creative heart of a former Edinburgh port. Simon Berkovitch samples the sunshine on Leith
Core values
Apple’s revamped HomePod smart speaker off ers attractive sound quality, but its Apple-centric focus remains frustrating for Cliff Joseph
Forty something
Creek Audio is celebrating its big four-o with the release of the new 4040 A integrated. Nick Tate lights the candles and listens in
One for all
German high-ender AVM wants to make top all-in-one performers. David Vivian takes a listen to its all-singing integrated amp
Three for all
The 700 Series receives a helping of tech from the flagship 800 models. Ed Selley sees how the smallest speaker fares
All in one
DAP, DAC, amplifier and streaming device, is there anything A&K’s new Acro can’t do? Cliff Joseph finds out
Wooden wonder
Better known for its speakers, ELAC’s range of electronics now has a new flagship turntable. Ed Selley takes it for a spin
System matching
Why finding the perfect synergy between your chosen integrated amplifier and favourite speakers holds the key to maximising your system’s potential
Game on!
At times the hi-fi and gaming industries might seem like they’re worlds apart, but Cliff Joseph reckons they both share a love of high-quality sound