75TH ANNIVERSARY – DIAMOND SERIES MODEL 12
The Diamond Anniversary Model 12 is a celebration and demonstration of precision engineering, traditional craftsmanship and audio excellence at its best.
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.
- Natural, Open and Dynamic Sound
- High Mass and Small Footprint
- Close Tolerance Precision Bearing
- Isolated Suspension
- Precision Magnesium Tonearm
- Crystal Cable Audio Lead and Internal Wiring
- Based on the award-winning Synergy
SME are proud to enter our 75th anniversary year in 2021 as the world’s finest turntable and tonearm manufacturer. 75 years on we continue to deliver on our status as a highly respected and iconic British brand, founded by audio legend Alastair Robertson-Aikman in 1946.
Additional Information
Specification
The MK2 Model 12 is a precision turntable of high mass made to exacting engineering standards for high performance. The chassis and sub-chassis are CNC machined from premium grade aluminium billet. The sub-chassis is suspended on an advanced isolation system for primary resonance control and houses the main bearing, platter and tonearm. Four fully adjustable feet are mechanically de-coupled from the main chassis by isolators providing base resonance control.
The main spindle is 19mm precision machined from high chrome tool steel, ground, super finished and supported in a sealed housing with individually fitted sintered bronze bearings of generous proportions needed for precise bearing and platter rotation.
The platter is machined from aluminium alloy and weighs over 4.6kg. Extensionally dampened with the top surface iso-damp, diamond-turned with a fine scroll for acoustic performance. This method of finishing upsets a myriad of tiny fibres which interface with the underside of the vinyl record. A substantial record clamp operating on the reflex principle ensures the largest possible platter contact even when appreciable record warp is present.
The motor conforms to the highest standards of silent running and the turntable is driven by a custom made bi-phase AC synchronous motor controlled by a highly advanced speed control unit providing precise speed accuracy and stability.
The MK2 Model 12 comes equipped with an SME Model 309 tonearm and internal wiring by Crystal Cable as standard. Tonearm choice can be upgrade to the superior Series IV or V.
Speed Control Unit
The Speed Control Unit uses a dedicated DSP engine to generate two independent pure mathematical sine waves which provide total control of frequency, phase relationship and amplitude. These in turn are matched (tuned) to the motor for accuracy to obtain the best possible performance.
The speed range is 33.33 and 45rpm with independent memory settings via a switched encoder. Fine pitch speed increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of the selected speed are made by a rotary control on the Speed Control Unit fascia. The SCU case is CNC machined from billet aluminium. A separate mains Power Unit keeps the transformer away from the SCU and importantly separated from the turntable audio signal cables.
Tonearm Options
Crystal Cable Wiring
The Model 12 is equipped with a premium grade signal cable from Crystal Cable which is installed inside the tonearm. Pure mono-crystal silver conductors in miniature format. Providing precious metal in its most pure version, lifting the musical performance to a higher level.
Weights & Dimensions
Turntable
Width: 370mm
Depth: 350mm
Height (top of tonearm): 178mm
Platter Diameter: 304mm
Spindle to Arm 215.35mm
Speed Control Unit
Width: 170mm
Depth: 305mm
Height: 68mm
Power Unit
Width: 190mm
Depth: 243mm
Height: 83mm
Platter: 305mm
Weight
Turntable: 21.26kg
Power Unit: 4.04kg
Speed Control Unit: 2.88kg
Shipping Weight: 33kg