SME Model 12
High-end turntables · 2015–present In production
£10,475 UK RRP
A single-tower high-mass SME with a damped aluminium platter and the option of a 12-inch arm.
Model history: SME introduced the Model 12 as the direct replacement for its discontinued entry-level Model 10, sharing the same power supply, motor, and isolation system but adding a more substantial chassis and subchassis, a higher-specification main bearing, and a heavier platter.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: an established system where the amp, speakers and room can resolve what this deck retrieves from the groove. Less ideal for: a first turntable — the same budget goes much further spent on mid-range separates first.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- Sold without a cartridge fitted — budget for a compatible cartridge and setup before first use.
- Professional setup of tracking force, alignment, azimuth and arm height is worth budgeting for at this level.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | sold bare |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | aluminium, damped |
| Tonearm | SME 309 / M2-12 |
| Dimensions | 370mm (W) x 178mm (H) x 350mm (D) [turntable only, height to top of tonearm] |
| Weight | 21.26 kg |
| Finishes | SME Black, Dark Grey, Dark Blue (with contrast detailing) |
| Warranty | 24 months standard; extendable to 5 years with product registration |
| Years | 2015–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its belt-drive mechanism is the majority choice in the database (130 of 159). On price it sits toward the top of its category — 75% of priced high-end decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for SME Model 12…
Retailer searches
3 UK merchants stock SME — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analogue Seduction | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most items; specialist packing | Search at Analogue Seduction ↗ |
| Doug Brady HiFi | hifi independent | UK delivery; specialist setup | Search at Doug Brady HiFi ↗ |
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
Compare it
Compare the Model 12 against any other deck →
