SME Model 10 Turntable

Originally founded in 1946 as the Scale Model Equipment Company, this British manufacturer turned its attention to audio equipment in 1959 when it launched the Series 1 tonearm. It has gone on to manufacture some of the world’s best turntables whilst always sticking to its fine engineering heritage. Here we have in good fully working condition an example of the SME 10 turntable, which was originally launched in 1999 as the “baby” of their range. Cosmetically there are a few minor blemishes – please refer to photographs. It comes with its matching power supply unit, original factory packaging and our standard three month warranty. Please note this turntable is supplied without a tonearm and although would probably be best fitted with a matching SME arm we would like to point out that these can be difficult to obtain. However many different arms from various other manufacturers can be used with the appropriate adaptors fitted.

SME say….
The SME Model 10 Precision Turntable is built to exacting engineering standards providing reliability and freedom from critical adjustments. Build integrity, sophisticated electronics and vibration free moving parts allow the full capabilities of any sound system to be fully explored.
The Model 10 is a valuable addition to our range of precision turntables. The designer’s aim; to rival more affordably, the performance and engineering excellence of our Models 20/2 & 30/2 has been notably successful. The SME Model 10 mirrors their exacting standards and ease of use. Novel features include polymer isolators contributing to a pleasing
detailed sound balance that encourages fresh exploration of any record collection. Untroubled by the most complex material it’s firm clean bass makes this a turntable that will set your feet tapping
The Model 10 weighs more than 15 kg but is only 304 mm diameter, thereby meeting the all-important requirement of high density construction on which freedom from colouration so much depends.
The massive 4.6 kg base is supported on three large polymer isolators housed to form adjustable foot, so levelling is quick, easy and very precise.
A cruciform sub chassis weighing more than 2.5kg is carried on three cylindrical units containing precision moulded polymer inserts, a novel design which affords impressive isolation and damping without ‘float’ – the enemy or positive handling.
The platter is machined from aluminium alloy and weighs over 4.1kg. It is extensionally damped on both faces the top surface being diamond turned with a fine scroll. This method of finishing upsets a myriad of tiny fibres which interface with the underside of the record.
A substantial clamp operating on the reflex principle ensures the largest possible platter contact even when appreciable record warp is present.
The main spindle is 19.0 mm diameter machined from high chrome tool steel, ground, superfinished and supported in a taper bearing for extra platter stability.
The Model 10 motor conforms with the highest standards of silent running in a turntable. Further enhancement coming from a novel motor-mounting arrangement, again incorporating moulded polymer components.
Mechanical excellence has been complimented in the design of the power supply. Motor commutation and speed selection are supervised by an 8-Bit microcontroller. A highly efficient mosfet bridge circuit maximises motor torque under all conditions.
Stop/start response is exceptional, the software effects dynamic braking by configuring the motor as a generator whenever the supply is in the ‘off’ state.
Each speed has its own crystal reference, with which rotation is compared 120 times per platter revolution ensuring exact speed.
The speed control servo is a phase locked loop and has the effect of multiplying the rotating platter mass by the loop gain thereby virtually eliminating dynamic wow caused by groove modulation/stylus drag.
Temperature stability is of the order of 10 parts per million, i.e. speed drift of approximately 0.0001% per degree centigrade.
The power supply unit is attractively housed with upward facing buttons and LED’s Speeds 33.3 and 45 rpm.
Standard arm mountings suit all SME 9” and 10” arms and a number of others.
Specifications:
Mains voltages available are 90 – 110 V, 105 – 125 V and 220 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz.
Speeds: 33.3, 45 & 78 rpm
Platter Diameter: 304 mm
Spindle to Arm: 215 mm
Dimensions: 370 (W) x 350 (D) x 161 (H) mm
Weight: 16.0 kg

To read a review from Hi-Fi News magazine please click here

For a second opinion from US publication Stereophile please click here