SME - Model 15 Turntable with SME Series V Tonearm

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The Model 15 could be described as “the ultimate in recovery vehicles”, allowing the cartridge to retrieve the last iota of recorded material whether digital or analogue, from the vinyl disc and approaching the ultimate in perfection. Receiving its inspiration from the superb Model 10 precision turntable, the Model 15 seeks to emulate the excellence of our Models 20/3 & 30/2 turntable whilst retaining the more compact footprint preferred by many of our enthusiasts.

The Model 15 has been designed with the same attention to detail combined with simplicity of operation that has come to be expected from all SME products. Its superb performance together with laid back styling make it a glamorous addition to your sound system that will astound and amaze listeners for many years to come.

The main spindle is 19 mm (3/4″) machined from high chrome tool steel, it is ground, super finished and supported in a sealed housing with individually fitted sintered bronze bearings of generous proportions needed to support the platter.

“There is no doubt that the Model 15 is very much an SME turntable. The Model 15 has very little character of its own, which means that it can reveal an awful lot about the records it spins. Build quality is in another league to the vast majority of turntables because so few manufacturers have the engineering facilities that a company which provides precision engineering to the aerospace and medical industries can offer” – Jason Kennedy HiFi+, July 11, 2017

Tonearm
SME Series V Tonearm (upgrade from standard Model 309)

Suspension
The Model 15 sub-chassis is suspended on 30 purpose moulded ‘O’ rings and weighs, together with the platter, more than 11.0 kg (24 lbs), thus meeting all the requirements of high density construction that is required to maintain freedom from colouration.

Damping
Controlled by a central fluid damper which controls the sub-chassis motion, offers a resistive ground path for acoustic signals, eliminates overshoot and gives almost zero ‘Q’ recovery.

Platter
Machined from aluminium alloy and weighs over 4.6 kg (10 lbs). It is extensionally damped, the top surface being diamond-turned with a fine scroll. This method of finishing contacts a myriad of tiny fibres with the underside of the record, firmly coupling it to the platter. A substantial reflex clamp ensures the largest possible platter contact even when an appreciable record warp is present.

Motor
The turntable is driven by a 3 phase, brushless outrunner motor with 8-pole Neodymium magnets and 3 integrated Hall effect sensors and virtually vibrationless by reason of its 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) weight as well as being isolated on urethane mounts that are adjustable for accurate belt positioning.

Speed Control
The electronic controller uses a high performance microprocessor, optimised for motor control. Closed loop speed control is implemented using a proportional plus integral (PI) algorithm. Fine pitch speed adjustment allows increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of selected speed. Speed ranges: 33.3, 45 & 78 rpm.

Dimensions: 428 x 378 x 176mm
Net weight: 18.5 kg (40 lbs)
Shipping weight: 24.2 kg (53 lbs)