Stunning SME Model 10 Turntable Service

Join me as I complete a setup and major service on this beautiful SME Model 10 belt-drive turntable!

Updated with comments from the owner!

My apologies for being ‘out of service’ for a little while, folks. I’ve been unwell at a particularly busy time of the year, and given how time- and energy-intensive articles are to create and how much time I lost, I needed a break while I caught up with customer work. The last article I wrote was about the lovely Plinius Model 10 amplifiers, so what better way to ease back in than with an article about another Model 10 – the stunning SME Model 10 turntable!

If you know, you know, that SME is one of the luminaries in vinyl and turntabling, the English company has been basically hand-making some of the most amazing tonearms and turntables since 1959. I still have my ultra-low mass SME Series 3, re-wired with silver, and I’ll probably never sell that one. Likewise, the SME IV and V are legendary, and they are also known for creating some of the most beautifully designed and engineered turntables, like the SME Model 30, and the ‘baby’ SME Model 10 we’re looking at today.

For a good introduction to the brand and how they do things, check out this recent video that includes some history and a factory tour:

Features

The SME Model 10 was the most basic belt-drive turntable SME offered, and whilst it’s no longer sold, replaced by the Model 12, there are plenty out there if you’re looking for one. With a smaller, lighter form factor and a more basic design without the elaborate suspension of the Model 30, the Model 10 is perfect for those looking to dip their toes into the SME world or precision-machined aluminium parts and micron-tolerances.

The separate outboard controller is a high-quality affair offering pushbutton operation and the almost instantaneous start-up and slowdown that’s typically only found in direct drive machines. There are three push buttons for start/stop and speed selection, and indicators for running speed and quartz lock, and that’s it.

The tonearm on this unit is the venerable SME 309, a lower-cost and simplified version of the higher-spec SME IV, with lower-spec bearings, that you’ve seen elsewhere on my site, like on this Kenwood L-07D, for example:

The SME 309 is an excellent tonearm, though of surprisingly low mass and a little short compared with some of my favourites. The 9.5g effective mass means cartridge selection should be carefully made, and one needs good advice on such matters.

You can read more about the SME Model 10 in this typically excellent review from Stereophile.

SME Model 10 Specifications

Courtesy of Google AI

Speeds: 33.3, 45, and 78 rpm (with ±0.01% fine pitch adjustment) 
Dimensions: 370 mm × 250 mm × 161 mm (with record clamp fitted)
Weight: 16 kg (38 lbs) net with power supply; 18.25 kg (55 lbs) shipping weight
Platter: 304 mm diameter, extensionally damped with a diamond-turned top surface
Motor: 8-bit microprocessor-controlled drive unit with regenerative braking 
Tonearm: Fixed-bearing design with a one-piece pressure die-cast magnesium armtube
Effective Mass: 9.5 g
Cartridge Balance Range: 6 – 17 g
Vertical Tracking Force: 0 – 3 g 
Chassis/Suspension: Sub-chassis carried on three polymer-loaded towers

Problems

So this SME Model 10 arrived in non-running and somewhat neglected condition, and in need of deep cleaning, service and a proper, careful setup. She is fitted with a Grado RS ‘reference line’ moving iron cartridge, a decent choice and certainly well-suited to the lower mass of the SME 309 tonearm.

The issues with this unit included widespread dust, dirt and corrosion/oxidation, the need for lubrication and for tonearm removal to facilitate careful cleaning and detailing, plus a drive belt to replace the one missing here. The belt proved to be a somewhat tedious piece of the puzzle, but one that I was able to solve successfully.

Lets dig in.

Service

Results

This was a particularly satisfying job, especially given that it came after two big warranty jobs for Plinius and feeling so ordinary for such a long time. The belt issue was out of my control and unfortunately cost me a lot of time I didn’t feel comfortable charging my customer for. That said, the result is so good that I know the owner will be happy, which somewhat compensates.

Update: He IS very happy:

Hi Mike

I thoroughly enjoyed this write-up. Amazing piece of work … Photos look great. I can see you take great pride in your work, and I’m very happy with the care and attention given.

Yes, the turntable has had quite a history – originally in my apartment in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia then shipped in a container back to Perth. It had a good home in a custom-built hi-fi room in my North Beach home until my ex-wife had other plans. It was then neglected in storage…

Thanks again

Mark C

The Bottom Line

I’m often asked for advice about buying turntables, so the obvious question here is, should you buy an SME Model 10…? These typically sell for less than $10K AUD on the used market, and for that money, compared with some of the new Clear Audio and Rega options out there, for example, a Model 10 is a no-brainer. Compared to other pre-owned high-rollers, there is a lot of choice, including some real heavy hitters, but I still highly recommend the SME Model 10, along with those others.

The engineering and machining here are far beyond what most of the others are doing these days, that it is a genuine pleasure to work on anything SME. This is a precision instrument, not a lightweight particle and poster board machine that plays records slightly too fast – well, at least not with an appropriately sized belt! Direct-drive turntables don’t have the ‘belt variable’ problem, of course, but they are more complex.

Given how good the SME tonearms typically found on these decks are, and the inclusion of the lovely SME record clamp and generally high level of fit, finish and performance. I highly recommend the SME Model 10.

Thanks!

As always, thank you for visiting, and thanks to the owner of this lovely turntable for entrusting her with Liquid Audio. I hope you enjoyed reading about another classic piece of hi-fi equipment. If you’d like me to look at your SME Model 10 or any other high-performance turntable, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

A ton of work goes into creating these articles, and it’s all done in my time off. You can support my efforts to spread the word about beautiful hi-fi equipment and keep it alive by engaging our services, commenting, liking, sharing, subscribing, spreading the word and donating, using the button in the footer. You can also view our supportive legends on the new page dedicated to them.