South West Analogue THE SME SPECIALIST.
After the success of the Model 20/12A there was speculation that SME would produce a 12" version of the Model 30/2A. Despite the difficult economic climate, (which has not affected the audio side of SME) the Model 30/12A was introduced early in 2009 and has been exceptionally well received.
The highly sucessful Series V and 312S tonearms where used as a basis for development of the new Series V-12" model which is standard issue with the M30/12A. This tonearm utilizes a pressure die cast one piece magemesium arm tube like the Series V which means it benefits from great strength and rigidity but is also light in weight and extremely elegant in appearance. The Series V-12 is suitable for both the Model 30/12 and the Model 20/12.
The Model 30/12A turntable and Series V-12 are now available to order, please allow approximately 4/5 weeks.
We have been involved with SME in both the manufacturing and sales divisions of the company for well over thirty years now, which gives us unparalleled experience of their products. I had the priviledge of being in charge of the Assembly and Service Departments from the mid-eighties through to late 1997 when we left to start up South West Analogue. This backgound gives us a unique knowledge of all things SME. We are still in close contact with the factory which enables us to keep right up to date with all new developments. In order to keep all of our customers, both new and old informed of what is happening we have our SME LATEST NEWS section, this will be update as soon as we have further officially released news. Please return to this section as their are some very interesting new products on the way and you will read about them first, right here.
SME LATEST NEWS:
The Series V-12 is proving very popular for many other turntables as well as the M30/12 and enquiries are being made about a detachable headshell version to ease cartridge changing. We are informed that there will not be a detachable version as the 312S tonearm is designed to fulfill this requirement . But the 312S can be ordered with the more sophisticated Series V-12 balance weight assembly and roller bearing adjustment system complete with additional balance weight inserts and stylus force gauge. The static balance weigth system of the 312S will remain unaltered. For more details please refer to the Model 300 page of this site.
The world wide recession fortunately has not affected SME, so most standard catalogue tonearms only have a waiting time of 3/4 weeks, for the Series V-12 and Gold Plated arms, plus special models, please allow 4/5 weeks. Most turntables should be available within 3/4 weeks except M30/12A which is approximately 4/5 weeks.
New turntables use an 8 bit computer controlled power supply which gives added detail, warmth and dynamics to the sound. All earlier Model 10 - Model 20/2 - Model 30/2 turntables will benefit from this upgraded unit. We now have our own part exchange service available for this unit. This psu is now available with all new turntables, so to read more details of it please refer to the Model 30/12A page or our site.
NEW Series M2-12R tonearm. This new model is a top of the range edition to the M2 series of tonearms. It differs from the standard versions because it utilizes a traditional `J` shape tonearm with its S2-R headshell and a two stage tungsten counterbalance system to balance up to 38g, or 46g for plug-in heads. This tonearm has been produced to replace the much lamented Series II-12R.
We will answer all SME enquiries ASAP.
More news soon.
South West Analogue was set up as an SME main dealership in 1998 to promote and sell the companies products because they did not have the time or the extra personnel to do this themselves. SME have always relied on their products to sell themselves and our in-depth knowledge which is second to none has been invaluable in this endeavour .
SME was founded in 1946 by the late Alastair Robertson-Aikman, he sadly passed away after a lengthy illness at the end of October 2006. We are glad to say the company is now in the very capable hands of his son Cameron who is very keen to continue the traditional SME values of quality and service and has a forward thinking view on where to take the company which includes some exciting new products.
Originally the company made precision scale models and was called Scale Model Equipment, which of course was abbreviated to SME in the early sixties when the sale of "pick up arms" took over the business. The same factory in Steyning Sussex, has been making tonearms for fifty years, a unique achievement.
ARA`s swan song was the fabulous Model 20/12A turntable which utilizes a pressure die cast magnesium tubed 12" tone arm with a detachable headshell of the same material. The 312S tonearm fitted to the M20/12 was a machine he very much enjoyed listening to as it gave him a different insight into his favourite recordings.
All new turntables have an updated 8 bit computer controlled power supply, this gives even better speed control with increased torque to the poweful DC motor. This gives markedly enhanced sound quality.
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