SME Model 20/3 Turntable

To arrange a listen, please call 08445040350

£5992.00

or £133.16/month on 0% Finance (36 months) after an initial 20% deposit

This is a click and collect item. Due to agreement with the manufacturer, this item is sold based on your geographic location and has to be collected from our Birmingham UK showroom. It can not be shipped. Continuing to order this item through the basket is acceptance you agree to collect from our showroom by prior arrangement.

Model

Without Tonearm  With SME 312S Tonearm  (+£1794.60)

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SME Model 20/3 replaces the Model 20/2, an extensive revamp that sees trickle down refinements from the Model 30/3, a new achievement in vinyl replay and winner of Hi-Fi Choice's "Outstanding Product" award. The 20/2 was SME's best seller and the Model 20/3 looks set to continue this tradition by being one of the finest turntables money can buy, offering almost the same performance as the Model 30/3 at a more affordable level.

Available as turntable only (referred to as "Model 20/3") or as turntable with SME V tonearm (referred to as "Model 20/3a").

Precision Engineering Improved

In an electro-mechanical record replay system ("turntable" to you and us), a major problem is vibration. This will come from numerous sources including air and structure borne vibrations from loudspeakers, vibrations caused by groove modulation and those set up by stray electrical fields and mechanical imperfections in the turntable's moving parts. The higher the mass and stiffness of a body the less it will flex and vibrate; the duration of a vibration can be shortened by suitable damping.

The Model 20/3 weighs an impressive 28.6kg, a 10.4kg increase on the 18,2kg weight of the original Model 20/2. The added weight comes from an increase in the thickness of the chassis plates from 9.5mm to 16mm, increase in platter weight from 4.6kg to 6.5kg and increase in size overall, measuring 20mm wider at 440mm and 30mm deeper at 350mm. In addition, the 20/3 features an all black platter.

The increase in size and weight means the 20/3 has a better ability to resist flexing at low frequencies and high frequency resonance is attenuated by efficient extensional damping. The same method of suspending and decoupling the sub-chassis via 40 purpose moulded 'O'-rings is still an essential part of the design and is sufficient to prevent acoustic feedback. 

The 20/3 also features an improved central damper (closer to that featured on the 30/3), an improved oil bath and the latest SME external power supply.

Review

OUTSTANDING PRODUCT AWARD (Hi-Fi News Magazine March 2011)

'So well conceived are SMEs that each model is embarrassingly close to the 'next one up'. The middle-of-the-range 20/3 is so like a dearer 30, bar the 30's extreme bass and quietness, that you need a mind blowingly revealing system to appreciate its costlier siblings...as now the 20/3 is the best-value deck in the range. Indeed, a masterpiece' (Hi-Fi News Magazine March 2011)

Features

- Four point suspension for stability.
- Sub-chassis suspended by 40 purpose moulded ‘O rings.
- Suspension adjustable through trimmers and gauge.
- Central fluid damper controls sub-chassis motion and offers resistive ground-path.
- 2 screws lock down the sub-chassis and seal the damper for transport.
- 19mm diameter main spindle machined from high-chrome steel, hardened and super finished.
- Main Spindle runs in a sealed oil bath for lifetime lubrication.
- Screw down reflex record clamping system minimises record resonance.
- 6.5Kg (14lb) platter with unique Isodamp face machined with a fine scroll for optimum record interface.
- Generous use of extensional damping and resistive loop construction ensure sonic neutrality.
- Optional mounting on steel ball feet or compliant inserts, both affording levelling adjustment.
- Four jacking screws built into the sub-platter allow the thrust bearing to be off loaded for transit.
- Power Supply features 4-layer surface mount technology, on-board adjustable speed control.
- Large diameter strobe disc supplied allows precise adjustment of standard speeds.
- Speed range: 33 1/3, 45 & 78 rpm.
- Fully shielded in-line control unit. LEDs indicate themain functions

Specifications

- Dimensions: 440 x 350 x 172mm.
- Packing: Substantial case.
- Net weight with power supply: 31Kg (68lb)
- Shipping weight approximately: 45Kg (100lb)

We are authorised SME retailers. Brand new and complete with the full warranty.

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