The Ultimate Model 30.
The Model 30/12 and Series V-12 tonearm offers performance over 30% better than the Model 30.
A precision turntable of uncompromising quality and engineering excellence.
Heavy mass, extensional dampening, ingenious suspension and intelligent acoustic treatment contribute to the audio excellence. A new highly sophisticated drive system provides a significant advancement in speed control and accuracy.

The Model 30/12 is the former SME flagship turntable and once judged as ‘the best turntable of all time’ and for many years considered to be the world’s reference standard turntable. These accreditations are derived from the ingenious design, precision engineering and fundamental physics. The net result being an outstanding performance of detail, resolution and neutrality with a dynamic range that does justice to the original sound.

The Model 30/12 is effortless in controlling and managing vibration, resonance, mechanical energy and electrical fields. Weighing over 50kg it is significant in relation to mass and density. The main and sub-chassis’ resists flexing at low frequencies whilst high frequency resonance is attenuated by efficient extensional damping.

Model 30/12 comes with the flagship SME Series V-12 tonearm with Crystal Cable internal wiring.

PRIMARY FEATURES
  • Outstanding Performance
  • Heavy Mass Construction
  • Suspended Suspension System
  • Chassis Fluid Damping System
  • Close Tolerance Precision Bearing
  • SME Series V-12 Tonearm
  • Crystal Cable Internal Wiring
  • Highly Advanced Drive System
  • Independent Mains Transformer
  • LEMO Low Power Cables
  • RCA or XLR Chassis Connectors

Additional Information

Construction

The MK2 Model 30/12 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 30/12 sub-chassis is suspended on 60 purpose made suspension rings meeting all the requirements of high-density construction, enabling an outstanding, detailed 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 30/12.

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 30/12 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

Dimensions & Weight

Turntable
Width: 530mm
Depth: 400mm
Height (top of tonearm): 232mm
 
Speed Control Unit
Width: 150mm
Depth: 295mm
Height: 82mm
 
Power Unit
Height: 82mm
Width: 188mm
Depth: 242mm
 
Platter: 330mm
 
Weight
Turntable: 50kg
Power Unit: 4.04kg
Speed Control Unit: 2.52kg
Shipping Weight: 79.5kg

Manuals & Downloads