SME New Turntable Presentation

Looks like a really good entry into the high end uber table category. Question is whether it can compete with the likes of similar priced Tech Das, Brinkmann's and Basis designs? 

In the UK, it will have to beat out the Linn LP12  Klimax...

Talk about sticker shock!

SME has just drawn the curtains on a new flagship record player, the Model 60. Starting at £50,000 (around $66,000/AU$88,000), it sits at the top of the company's turntable range and features all the immaculate precision engineering we've come to expect from the British brand. Luckily for us, we've already had the pleasure of its company.

I posted the following a couple of days ago on another thread, where it was only marginally relevant, so I have reposted it here (with apologies to those who have already seen it): 

The Model 60 costs in excess of  £20,000 more than the current Model 30/2, and offers, as substantial improvements:

(i) a new motor and motorcontroller (with separately-housed transformer);

(ii) a new resin armwand for the SME V. 

Apart from these two (let's assume) clear improvements, the suspension system has been reworked so that the 'o' rings are now hidden (many will consider this an aesthetic improvement) and also now work to impede horizontal movement of the top-plate (this may be an attempt to address the problem pointed out above by Dover), and everything has been made a bit more massive.

But:

- the basic concept is unchanged: heavy metal subchassis and heavy metal top-plate suspended with 'o' rings

- the drive system is unchanged

- the main bearing is (I think) unchanged

- the platter (and clamping system) is unchanged

- downforce, antiskating, damping and general adjustability of the arm are all unchanged

The word is that the Model 60 is a considerable improvement sonically. Aesthetically, it is definitely more stylish, but (in my opinion) only if you take the all-black version (the coloured versions remind me of  much cheaper turntables). 

Back in 1996 (when it was originally introduced) the Model 30 cost £10,000. Now the Model 60 costs five times as much. 

I am not sure Mr Robertson-Aikman would have given the go-ahead to this project. For him, the Model 30 was already the best that SME could produce, and also the best that the end-user could reasonably ask for. Sobriety was the watchword. 

The color option is there so that the really well heeled buyer can have one in each color, and swap them in based on the day, very clever marketing. Only problem is that the table probably should be priced much higher to really appeal to these lads, after all, what's a measly 50 thousand pounds!

Mike the price is cool, I will take it seriously.SME makes excellent products without being greedy, I have one of their turntable..