Set in the heart of the Sussex countryside at the foot of the south downs SME the home of arguably the finest precision gramophone pick-up arms and turntables in the world. To own an SME product is to possess a jewel of near perfection in both performance and construction. To maintain the very high standards of quality all manufacture and processing is carried out 'in house'. Facilities commence with design and toolmaking through all aspects of manufacturing including CNC machining, pressure die-casting, injection moulding, metal finishing, electro-plating, anodising and many other processes.
The Series M2 embraces three models the M2-9, M2-10 and M2-12 offering pivot-stylus dimensions covering virtually all turntable requirements. These arms offer at reasonable cost, meticulous build quality with all the most important features including lightweight stainless steel tonearm, detachable magnesium headshell with azimuth adjustment, tungsten balance weight, superb quality ball race bearings etc., and a level of stiffness and rigidity to suit all types of cartridge. All M2 arms are equipped to receive an accessory fluid damper FD-M2.
These precision pick-up arms embody well tried SME principles and aresuited to a broad range of cartridges including those of medium and low compliance. Series M2-9 is the standard arm having a pivot-stylus dimension of233.2 mm (9.18”) and will therefore be the one most frequently used.Typical effective mass 9.5 grams. Series M2-10 is identical except that the pivot-stylus dimension is 239.3 mm (9.42”) a difference that suits the layout of some decks. Typical effective mass 9.6 grams. Series M2-12 has a pivot-stylus dimension of 308.8 mm (12.16”). Distortion caused by lateral tracking error is at least 25% less than possible with a nine inch arm. However effective mass will be typically 12.0 grams. Also, a turntable designed for 12-inch arms must be selected.
The internally damped tonearm of highly polished stainless steel provides sparkling uncoloured reproduction. A unique single element balance system caters for cartridges weighing 5 to 12 grams. After balancing tracking force is applied by forward movement of the weight ensuring the lowest system inertia. The weight moves on a precision screw thread with backlash eliminator allowing exact setting of vertical tracking force.
The M2 shell is pressure die-cast in magnesium for lightness and rigidity. A collet of ingenious design affords ‘one-piece’ rigidity and allows azimuthcorrection to be made before final tightening. A fluid damper FD-M2 is an optional accessory. The normal slow passage of the arm across the record is unaffected but influences which would tend to produce over-rapidmotion are resisted by the flow characteristic of the fluid. It’s use is recommended with very low compliance cartridges or where there is a problem with external vibration such as a springing floor.
Features:
1.0 gram per revolution tungsten weight sub-graduated 0.25 and 0.025 gram
1220mm (48”) D501 balanced audio lead. Engineered in the best camera quality with satin chrome finish
Fluid damped lift/lower control
Geometry optimised for Ø300mm (12”) LPs
Low friction, fully shielded races for both axes
Phono plugs and other contacts heavily gold plated
Pressure die-cast magnesium headshell with unique collet
Sliding base for tracking adjustment
Thin-walled stainless steel tonearm with internal damping
Share this product