The Model 60 is the most technically advanced SME turntable ever made, evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence, innovation and perfection, delivering precise and pure audio reproduction. Extremely high build quality, close tolerance precision engineered componentry, striking design and a range of none painted uniquely engineered finishes.
Introduced 60 years after SME entered the elite high end audio world, the Model 60 is far superior than the highly credible Model 30 which has been the reference precision turntable for over 3 decades. The new flagship is an entirely new turntable design with clever engineering and technological advancement.
Design features include: de-coupled adjustable feet with multipoint isolation, an intelligent suspended suspension system with horizontal and vertical control, hydraulically dampened main bearing, acoustically treated main chassis, sub-chassis and platter, sophisticated new generation drive system with highly accurate speed control, AC motor and independent power transformer.
The Model 60 is equipped with the new Series VA tonearm which is an advanced version of the famous Series V tonearm which has been extensively sonically improved by use of a non-metallic tonearm CNC machined from an advanced polymer resin material with high density and high rigidity properties. The Series VA tonearm tube is acoustically inert with a significantly reduced resonance signature, optimised effective mass and a wide cartridge balance weight range
Brushed Black
Brushed Metal Black Anodised Surface Finish with Black Detailing.
Brushed Silver
Brushed Metal Silver Anodised Surface Finish with Black Detailing.
Honeycomb
Machined Honeycomb Pattern with Anodised Surface Finish and Black Contrast Detailing available in Black, Blue, or Silver.
Diamond
Machined Cosmetic Pattern with Hand Polished Surface Finish. Polished Aluminium with Black Anodised Contrasting.
Hi-Fi News
"It's a masterclass in instrument positioning. Its semi-circle of musicians has never sounded as spacious or as beautifully defined to my ears than through SME's flagship."
Outstanding Product Award!
Paul Miller, 07/2022
Hi-Fi Choice
"The new standard by which all high-end turntables should be judged."
Recommended Award!
08/2022
Stereophile
"The Model 60 should be considered the new real-world reference against which other turntables can be judged. By 'real world' I mean that, while it may cost as much as a nice car, the Model 60 doesn’t cost as much as a nice house, like some of its competitors do."
Michael Trei, 08/2023
STEREO
"This turntable is almost impossible to beat in terms of effort and precision. It noticeably displaces our references. And so clearly that the price seems rather justified. You hear and marvel at the result of SME's entire knowledge and manufacturing know-how culminating in one spot: the exceptional Model 60!"
Matthias Böde, 06/2023
The Absolute Sound
"The new SME Model 60 with Series VA arm is an overwhelmingly successful upgrade to what was formerly the company’s flagship Model 30. It achieves new SME greatness without forsaking the vision of founder Alastair Robertson-Aikman, who would surely appreciate both this new turntable/arm combo and where his company is headed."
Michael Fremer, 12/2022
SME Model 60
June 2022
Model 60 Featured in Hi-Fi News
"Careful evolutionary engineering has resulted in one of the world's most capable turntables."
The SoundStage Network
Name the SME Model 60 as the Recommended Reference ComponentJanuary 2023
The SoundStage Network
The SoundStage Network – Model 60 ReviewDecember 2022
Additional Information
Test Results
Turntable Speed Error at 33.33rpm: 33.33rpm (-0.005%)
Time to Audible Stabilisation: 5 – 6 seconds
Peak Wow/Flutter (Peak wtd): 0.01% / 0.02%
Rumble (silent groove, DIN B wtd): -75dB (-75.4 dB with Clamp)
Rumble (through bearing, DIN B wtd): -76.5dB
Hum & Noise (unwtd, rel to 5cm/sec): -62.5dB
Power Consumption: 18w (1w standby)
Drive System & Speed Range
The turntable is driven by a custom made bi-phase AC synchronous motor. 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 output driver stage is a 2 channel, class AB Bi-polar design with low distortion and relay coupled directly to the motor. The entire design is implemented using high quality surface mount technology on a gold plated FR4 PCB.
The speed range is 33.33 and 45rpm with independent memory settings via a switched encoder.
Tonearm Specification
Effective Mass: 10g – 11g
Cartridge Balance Range: 5g – 18g
Vertical Tracking Force: 0.0g – 3.0g (30mN)
Maximum Tracking Error: 0.0120/mm
Internal Wiring: Crystal Cable 0.1mm Mono X-Tal
Weights & Dimensions
WEIGHTS:
Turntable 48kg
Speed Control Unit 2kg
Power Unit 4.2kg
Boxed Shipping Weight 86kg
DIMENSIONS:
Turntable
Height 212mm (top of clamp)
Width 557mm
Depth 417mm
Speed Control Unit
Height 87mm
Width 170mm
Depth 295mm
Power Unit
Height 83mm
Width 190mm
Depth 243mm
Platter 330mm
Spindle to Arm 215.35mm