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75th Anniversary Diamond Series Model 30

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.

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 and highly acclaimed flagship 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 hand- crafted skills that SME is famous for. The black chrome contrast highlights and compliments this distinctive audio engineering masterpiece.

Available in Model 30/2 and Model 30/12

Model 30/2

With its many original design features the Model 30/2 is a unique turntable. There are no critical adjustments or setting up procedures. Its immaculate construction and finish stem from facilities and uncompromising quality control which have made SME a byword for engineering excellence. Judged by Germany’s AUDIO ‘the best turntable of all time’ the Model 30/2 can be for the fortunate owner of an analogue collection the key to lasting musical enjoyment.

The moving parts of a fine turntable are of paramount importance. The spindle of the Model 30/2 is 170.5 mm long and 19 mm diameter. The massive sealed housing and individually fitted sintered bronze bearings in which the spindle runs are also of the generous proportions needed to ensure that the 330mm diameter platter weighing 7kg is adequately supported. The Model 30/2’s excellent dynamics and pitch stability are largely the result of the immense care taken in the design and execution of these components.

Model 30/12

A larger version of the well known Model 30/2, it will accept nine, ten and twelve inch tonearms but is especially directed at the exciting Series V-12. This offers performance 27% better than a nine inch tonearm in respect of angular error distortion. Its immaculate construction and finish stem from facilities and uncompromising quality control which have made the name SME a byword for audio engineering excellence.

SME have built pick-up arms since 1959 (60 years) and the design and engineering experience gained has been applied to the Model 30/2. A precision turntable created to compliment the SME Series V regarded by many as: ‘the best pick-up arm in the world’. Dowels ensure positional accuracy so that if more than one arm is in use the arm mounting plinth can be quickly interchanged. Designed to compliment the Series V GPD tonearm

No sonic footprint, the sub-chassis is hung on one hundred and twenty strands of rubber in the form of sixty purpose moulded ‘O’ rings. An ingenious method of anchorage allows them to be removed or replaced instantly.

Sub-chassis motion is disciplined by four fluid dampers, one in each of the supporting columns. These eliminate overshoot and 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.

330 mm (13”) diameter weighing 7.5 kg (17 lbs). The face is machined with a fine scroll found to interface better than a plain surface. A substantial reflex clamp ensures maximum contact with the platter even when severe record warp is present. The sub-chassis/arm mounting board interface is extensionally damped and the mounting board is reversible to allow mounting of nine inch pick-up arms when necessary.

The turntable is driven by a 3 phase, brushless outrunner motor with 8-pole Neodymium magnets and 3 integrated Hall effect sensors and virtually vibrationless by reason of its 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) weight as well as being isolated on urethane mounts that are adjustable for accurate belt positioning.

The electronic controller uses a high performance microprocessor, optimised for motor control. Closed loop speed control is implemented using a proportional plus integral (PI) algorithm. Fine pitch speed adjustment allows increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of selected speed. Speed ranges: 33.3, 45 & 78 rpm.

Mains voltages available are 90-110V, 105-125V and 220-240V 50/60 Hz. Please specify when ordering.

Dimensions: 450 x 350 x 220 mm
Net weight: 42 kg (92 lbs)
Shipping weight: 58 kg (128 lbs)

Download 30/2 Manual