30-12A MKII

The SME Model 30/12 is the larger, more substantial development of the acclaimed Model 30/2, designed to accommodate 9-, 10- and 12-inch tonearms, with particular emphasis on the Series V-12. The longer arm offers approximately 27% lower angular-error distortion than a typical 9-inch arm.

Created as the ideal companion to the Series V-12, the Model 30/12 retains the proven engineering of the Model 30/2 while increasing mass and rigidity. Its sub-chassis is suspended on 60 purpose-moulded O-rings, providing 120 rubber suspension strands, while the sub-chassis and main chassis are both increased in thickness to further improve structural stability and acoustic neutrality.

Four adjustable fluid dampers control sub-chassis movement, preventing overshoot and providing effective isolation from acoustic feedback. Built-in transport locks secure the suspension during transit.

The 330mm, 7.5kg platter is supported by a precision 19mm-diameter, 170.5mm-long spindle running in a sealed housing with individually fitted sintered-bronze bearings. Its fine-scroll machined surface provides excellent record contact, while a substantial reflex clamp maintains stability even with warped records. The arm mounting board is extensionally damped and reversible, allowing the use of 9-inch arms when required.

Drive is provided by a 2.5kg three-phase brushless motor with eight-pole neodymium magnets and Hall sensors. The motor is isolated on urethane mounts, while a precision stainless-steel pulley, concentric to within ±2.5 microns, drives the damped 2.3kg sub-platter via a ground rubber belt.

A high-performance microprocessor provides closed-loop speed control with fine adjustment in 0.01% increments. Speeds of 33.3, 45 and 78rpm are supported.

The Model 30/12 combines exceptional mass, rigidity, vibration control and drive precision to deliver outstanding dynamics, pitch stability, detail and neutrality, representing the culmination of SME’s precision turntable engineering.