The Diamond Anniversary Model 30 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 the world-class audio company that it is today.
In celebration of our illustrious past and exciting future this exclusive Diamond Anniversary turntable is developed from the award winning and highly acclaimed Model 30. The Diamond Series Model 30 is machine finished to demonstrate the definitive precision, sharp lines and creative cosmetic profile. The hand finished fine detail is an expression of the craftsmanship that SME is famous for. The black chrome contrast highlights and complements this distinctive audio engineering masterpiece.
Available in Model 30/2 and Model 30/12
Model 30
The Model 30 delivers an outstanding performance and for many years was considered to be the world’s reference standard turntable. This accolade is achieved from an ingenious design, precision engineering, intelligent damping and fundamental physics. The net result of the immense care taken in the design and execution of these components is the Model 30, audio engineering excellence evolved over six decades.
The Model 30 is effortless in controlling and managing vibration, resonance, mechanical energy and electrical fields. Weighing over 42kg it is significant in relation to its size and density. The main and sub-chassis’ resists flexing at low frequencies whilst high frequency resonance is attenuated by efficient extensional damping.
The outstanding performance Model 30 is available with or without a tonearm.
The tonearm version is the SME Series V with contrasting Silver Printed Detail and Crystal Cable internal wiring.
Model 30/12
The Model 30/12 and Series V-12 tonearm offers over 30% better performance than the Model 30.
With a bigger footprint and weighing over 50kg it is significant in relation to mass and density. This heavier mass and the advantages of the 12-inch tonearm in managing angular error distortion makes the Model 30/12 the ultimate Model 30. The net result being an outstanding performance of detail, resolution and neutrality with a dynamic range that does justice to the original sound.
Model 30/12 is available with or without a tonearm.
The tonearm version is the SME Series V-12 with contrasting Silver Printed Detail or Gold Printed Detail and Crystal Cable internal wiring.
Additional Information
Construction
The Model 30 is a precision turntable made to exacting engineering standards for extreme performance. The chassis and sub-chassis are CNC machined from premium grade aluminium billet and acoustically treated. The sub-chassis is stiffened for improved chassis flex and vibration control. The suspended suspension system provides definitive resonance control and houses the main bearing, platter and tonearm. In addition, the sub-chassis motion is finely disciplined by fluid dampers within the four suspension columns. All four feet are fully adjustable and mechanically de-coupled from the main chassis by way of isolators.
The main spindle is 19mm in diameter, 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 rotational control.
Suspension
With no sonic footprint, the Model 30 sub-chassis is suspended on 60 purpose made suspension rings meeting all the requirements of high-density construction, enabling an outstanding and dynamic performance.
Damping
Four suspension column fluid-dampers disciplines sub-chassis movement and eliminates overshoot to give almost zero Q recovery. The isolation needed to prevent acoustic feedback is bridged by the resistive coupling of the damping fluid through which unwanted reacted energy is conducted away to ‘ground’. This function is adjustable through trimmers which can be used in conjunction with a gauge to give recommended settings or varied to suit individual conditions. This extreme level of control is instrumental in the design and performance of the Model 30.
Platter
The platter is machined from aluminium alloy and weighs 7.5kg and 330mm in diameter. Extensionally dampened and the top surface iso-damp mat is 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.
Motor
The Model 30 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 motor conforms to the highest standards of silent running.
Speed Control
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 45 rpm 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 polymer resin with machined aluminium fascia, chassis base and rear panel.
Power Unit
An independent mains Power Unit keeps the transformer separated from the Speed Control Unit and importantly away from the audio signal cables.
Tonearm
SME Series V-12 available with Gold or Silver Printed Detail.
Series V-12 Specification Sheet
Manuals & Downloads
SME Series V-12 available with Gold or Silver Printed Detail.
Series V-12 Specification Sheet