MODEL 30/2
MODEL 30/2
The design solutions employed are what make this turntable unique. Recognized by the American magazine Stereophile and the German magazine Audio as the best turntable in the world, it offers users the full potential of analog sound reproduction. In the world of physics, there is a principle that as mass and rigidity increase, a structure is less susceptible to vibrations. The basis of this turntable’s operation is its soft suspension system, which enables highly precise damping of the vibrations generated during the operation of any mechanical system. The subchassis is made of a 19-mm-thick aluminum plate weighing 17 kg. The base is made of 16-mm-thick aluminum, weighing 16 kg together with the columns and the suspension system. At the heart of the system is a soft suspension system, implemented in this case in a rather unconventional manner. Unlike traditional designs that use a “floating” suspension—in which the subchassis is mounted on vibration-absorbing elements—SME suspends the subchassis on a damping system. The main advantage of this design is the perfect centering of the system, which minimizes the impact of external factors on the turntable’s stability. The columns, which serve as support elements, are additionally equipped with oil damping that completely isolates the subchassis from its surroundings. The illustration shown here highlights the advantages of this system compared to conventional designs.
The turntable’s moving parts are manufactured with great precision and attention to quality. The platter bearing consists of a spindle 170.5 mm long and 19 mm in diameter, with bronze raceways. The platter has a diameter of 330 mm and weighs 7 kg. Power is transmitted from the 2.5-kg motor via a belt to a 209-mm-diameter flywheel located directly beneath the platter.
A detailed description of the design can be found in articleMr. Dariusz Słoboda’s article, published in its entirety in issue 1/96 of “Magazyn Hi-Fi.”
Basic Technical Specifications:
Turntable dimensions – 450 x 350 x 220 mm
Weight (with power supply) – 42 kg.
Power supply: 230V
Power consumption: 9W
Rotation speeds: 33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm – with smooth adjustment.
Subchassis suspended on 48 rubber rings
Suspension leveling screws
Oil damping to control the subchassis position and eliminate vibrations transmitted to the base
Platter spindle made of chrome-plated machine-grade steel
Tracking force applied to the platter to reduce record resonance
7 kg platter lined with a special damping material
Adjustable rings in the base for leveling the turntable
High-torque 3-phase AC motor.
The turntable is available in two versions with different configurations:
MODEL 30/2
Version equipped only with a tonearm mount—tonearm not included
MODEL 30/2A
Version equipped with a complete V-Series tonearm