The SME Model 60 is SME's flagship precision turntable, developed as the culmination of decades of high-end analogue engineering. It combines a high-mass, acoustically treated chassis with an intelligent suspended sub-chassis, hydraulically damped main bearing, precision platter and sophisticated electronic speed control. This configuration is supplied with the SME Series VA tonearm and is available in Brushed Silver or Brushed Black finishes.
The Model 60 uses a precision-engineered aluminium chassis and sub-chassis designed to provide a rigid and acoustically controlled platform for the platter, bearing and tonearm. The structure incorporates extensive acoustic treatment to reduce unwanted resonance and mechanical energy.
| Construction | Precision-Engineered Aluminium |
|---|---|
| Chassis | Acoustically Treated Main Chassis |
| Sub-Chassis | Suspended / Acoustically Treated |
| Isolation | Multi-Point Mechanical Isolation |
| Feet | 4 De-Coupled Adjustable Feet |
The Model 60 features an intelligent suspended sub-chassis with independent control of vertical and horizontal movement. The suspension architecture uses multiple support bands around the four corner towers to provide controlled isolation while maintaining accurate platter and tonearm geometry.
| Suspension Type | Suspended Sub-Chassis |
|---|---|
| Movement Control | Vertical and Horizontal |
| Support Structure | Four Suspension Towers |
| Isolation | Multi-Point |
The Model 60 incorporates a precision main bearing with a dedicated hydraulic damping arrangement. The damping system is designed to absorb microscopic resonances generated by the rotating bearing, spindle and platter assembly while maintaining smooth and stable rotation.
| Main Bearing | Precision Damped Bearing |
|---|---|
| Damping | Hydraulic / Silicon Fluid Damping |
| Purpose | Control of Bearing and Rotational Resonance |
The Model 60 uses a substantial 330 mm aluminium platter weighing 7.5 kg. The platter incorporates an acoustically inert upper surface designed to provide a stable interface with the record while minimising unwanted resonance.
| Platter Material | Precision-Machined Aluminium |
|---|---|
| Platter Diameter | 330 mm / 33 cm |
| Platter Weight | 7.5 kg |
| Surface | Acoustically Treated / Inert |
The Series VA is SME's advanced reference tonearm developed specifically for the Model 60. Its tonearm tube is CNC machined from a high-density, high-rigidity polymer resin selected for its acoustically inert characteristics and reduced resonance. The design also provides an optimised effective mass and broad cartridge balance range.
| Tonearm | SME Series VA |
|---|---|
| Construction | CNC-Machined High-Density Polymer Resin |
| Effective Mass | 10–11 g |
| Cartridge Balance Range | 5–18 g |
| Vertical Tracking Force | 0–3.0 g / 30 mN |
| Internal Wiring | Crystal Cable 0.1 mm Mono X-Tal |
The Model 60 uses a custom-made bi-phase AC synchronous motor controlled by a dedicated DSP-based Speed Control Unit. The system generates precisely controlled frequency, phase and amplitude signals matched to the motor for accurate and stable platter rotation.
| Drive Method | Belt Drive |
|---|---|
| Motor Type | Bi-Phase AC Synchronous Motor |
| Speed Control | Dedicated DSP Engine |
| Playback Speeds | 33⅓ RPM / 45 RPM |
| Speed Memory | Independent Settings |
| Fine Speed Adjustment | Via Switched Encoder |
The Model 60 uses separate external electronics to keep the mains transformer and speed-control circuitry physically isolated from the sensitive analogue playback system. The Power Unit houses the transformer, while the Speed Control Unit manages motor operation and speed adjustment.
| Power Unit | Separate External Unit |
|---|---|
| Power Unit Weight | 4.2 kg |
| Speed Control Unit | Separate External Unit |
| Speed Control Unit Weight | 2 kg |
The Model 60 provides chassis-mounted analogue outputs for connection to an appropriate external phono stage and amplification system. Balanced XLR connectivity is available as an option.
| Standard Output | Chassis-Mounted RCA |
|---|---|
| Optional Output | Balanced XLR |
| Phono Stage | External Phono Stage Required |
| Tonearm Wiring | Crystal Cable |
| Turntable Width | 557 mm / 55.7 cm |
|---|---|
| Turntable Depth | 417 mm / 41.7 cm |
| Turntable Height | 212 mm / 21.2 cm |
| Platter Diameter | 330 mm / 33 cm |
| Turntable Weight | 48 kg |
| Speed Control Unit Weight | 2 kg |
| Power Unit Weight | 4.2 kg |
| Boxed Shipping Weight | 86 kg |