SME's Five New MK2 Turntables

by The Audio Beat | February 10, 2023

ach of SME's five new MK2-series turntables features a new drive system comprising of an AC synchronous motor, independent transformer and speed-control unit. This trickle-down technology comes from SME's flagship Model 60 turntable and has been optimized individually for each of the new MK2 models.

The microprocessor for the new MK2 speed controller generates two independent sine waves that are closely controlled in amplitude, frequency and phase, providing control over the way the custom AC synchronous motor behaves and enabling precise tuning of the motor "to obtain the best possible performance and speed control accuracy." A new power transformer is separated from the speed-control unit and housed in an independent chassis with a two-meter connecting cable, creating an unregulated DC supply to drive the main output gain stage as well as a DSP frequency-generator stage, both of which are housed within the speed controller. The chassis of the transformer unit and speed controller are CNC machined from solid billet material and visually complement the turntables.

The new MK2 models range in price from $13,900 for the Model 12 MK2 with a Series 309 tonearm, to $47,900 for a Model 30 with Series V tonearm. SME also offers the Model 6 with M2 tonearm for $7995 and the new flagship Model 60 with Series VA tonearm for $71,000. SME offers four different M2-series tonearms priced between $3195 and $4395.