SME Model 10A Turntable incl M10 Arm (GBP 4104.00)

Where do we begin? Let's trawl through the manufacturer's literature for a few nuggets. We could talk about the 4.1 kg aluminium alloy platter, with unique damping and record interfacing top surface, or the 19mm high chrome tool steel spindle supported in a taper bearing. Or maybe the multi stage polymer isolation system. Then again, the quartz locked two speed power supply, with 10ppm accuracy, and 8-bit supervisory microprocessor might be the bit which interests you.

The arm (M10) is derived from the well known 309 and is customised for use on the Series 10. It has a one piece pressure diecast magnesium armtube, with a detachable magnesium headshell.

All right, OK, let's cut the technobabble and get down to the nitty gritty. This is a very fine turntable, with a neutral sound (or, as I suspect SME would say, no sound at all) easily capable of getting the best out of your vinyl without ever drawing attention to itself. What more could you possibly ask? And, the whole shebang is likely to have a longer useful lifespan than the average owner, if SME's past record is anything to go by.

Yes, yes, but what does Walrus really think? ... we hear you ask. After all, they stock just about every other turntable worth a mention, surely they're going to stick their neck out a bit and describe the sound? Sigh; OK. You win. We like the SME a lot. There are decks with more emotional communication (you wot?), decks with greater perceived speed, decks with blacker silences between and around the music, decks with more tuneful bass. I could go on ... What is rare, though, maybe unique, is blending a decent measure of all these attributes in a totally fuss free deck, and one that'll go on providing you with a decent measure for years to come. Oh, and this is one product you won't have to make excuses about the finish when your friends learn how much you spent on it!

The Model 10 is also available without arm for GBP 3037.00