SME 60 User manual

2
SME is an iconic brand founded in 1946 by audio legend Alastair
Robertson-Aikman in West Sussex, England. Today SME is
recognised as makers of the nest precision turntables and
tonearms in the world. Entirely made in-house with state of
the art manufacturing processes, complemented by traditional
craftsmanship methods.
SME audio has evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence,
innovation and perfection delivering precise and pure audio
reproduction
.
Audio Perfection

MODEL 60
PRECISION TURNTABLE
INSTRUCTIONS
This is no ordinary turntable.
These instructions include unpacking, set up procedures and specications.
Please read carefully.


CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE POWER UNIT COVERS.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE POWER UNIT OR SPEED CONTROL UNIT
COVER. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
• Please read this manual carefully and keep it in a safe place for future reference.
• TheventslotsintheSpeedControlUnitarefornecessaryvenlaon.Toensurereliableoperaonofthisapparatusandtoprotect
fromoverheangtheseventsmustneverbeblockedorcovered.
• Donotplaceawatercontainingvesselonthisapparatus,asthiscanresultinariskofreorelectricshock.Donotexposethis
apparatus to rain or place it near water.
• Ifthisapparatusaccidentallygetswet,unplugitandcontactanauthoriseddealerimmediately.
• Youcancleanthisapparatuswithadampclothwhennecessary,butbesuretounplugtheapparatusrst.Tocutothepower
source,unplugtheapparatusfromtheACwalloutlet.
• DonotoverloadACwalloutlets,powercablesoradaptorsbeyondtheircapacityasthiscanresultinreorelectricshock.
• Powercablesshouldberoutedsothattheyarenotlikelytobewalkedonorpinchedbyitemsplaceduponoragainstthem,paying
parcularaenontocablesattheplugend,adaptorsandthepointtheyexitfromtheappliance.
• BeforeconnecngtheACpowercabletothePowerUnit,makesurethevoltageofthePowerUnit,asmarkedontheidencaon
labelattherear,correspondstothelocalelectricitysupply.
• Neverinsertanythingmetallicintotheopenpartsofthisapparatus.
• OnlyaqualiedtechnicianshouldremovethePowerUnitorSpeedControlUnitcover.
• Besuretoholdtheplug,notthepowercable,whendisconnecngthisapparatusfromanelectricsocket.
• LocatethisapparatusnearaneasilyaccessibleACoutlet.
• If this apparatus does not operate normally, in parcular if there are any unusual sounds or smells, unplug it immediately
and consult an authorised dealer.
• UnplugthisapparatusfromtheACoutletbeforeanyservice.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
ThepowercableonthisequipmentwhensuppliedforuseintheUK,isedwithamouldedplugincorporangafuse.Thevalueof
thefuseisindicatedonthepinfaceoftheplugandifitrequiredreplacingafuseapprovedtoBSI1362ofthesamerangmustbe
used.Neverusetheplugwiththefusecoveromiedifthecoverisdetachable.Iftheplugedisnotsuitableforthepowerpointsin
yourroomorifthepowercableisnotlongenoughtoreachthepowerpoint,youshouldobtainasuitablesafetyapprovedextension
lead or consult your dealer for assistance.
IMPORTANT:
Thewiresinthepowercablearecolouredinaccordancewiththefollowingcode:BLUE NEUTRAL, BROWN LIVE. As these colours may
notcorrespondtothecolouredmarkingsidenfyingtheterminalsinyourplug,proceedasfollows:ThewirecolouredBLUEmustbe
connectedtotheterminalmarkedwiththeleerNorcolouredBLUEorBLACK.ThewirecolouredBROWNmustbeconnectedtothe
terminalmarkedwiththeleerLorcolouredBROWNorRED.
WARNING:
DO NOT CONNECT EITHER WIRE TO THE EARTH TERMINAL, WHICH IS MARKED WITH THE LETTER (E) OR BY THE EARTH SYMBOL
OR COLOURED GREEN OR GREEN/YELLOW.
WEEE SYMBOL INFORMATION
Correct Disposal of This Product (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment)
(Applicable to the European Union and other European countries with separate collecon system).
Themarkingshownonthisproductoritsliterature,indicatesthatitshouldnotbedisposedwithotherhouseholdwastesatthe
endofitsworkinglife.Topreventpossibledamagetotheenvironmentorhumanhealthfromuncontrolledwastedisposal,please
separatethisfromothertypesofwastesandrecycleitresponsiblytopromotethesustainablere-useofmaterialresources.
Householdusersshouldcontacteithertheretailerwheretheypurchasedthisproductortheirlocalgovernmentoce,formore
detailedinformaonofwhereandhowtheycantakethisitemforenvironmentallysaferecycling.
Businessusersshouldcontacttheirsupplierandcheckthetermsandcondionsofthepurchasecontract.Thisproductshouldnot
bemixedwithothercommercialwastesfordisposal.
4

5
1. CONTENTS
Page TURNTABLE
 6 Introducon
7 Overview
 8 Weights&Dimensions
8 Drive System
 8 SpeedRanges
 9 PackingList
 10 Idencaon-Turntable
 12 Unpacking
 13 SengUp-Turntable
 15 PowerCableConnecons
 16 Operaon-Turntable
 17 Operaon-PlayingaRecord
 17 Maintenance
 18 TransitPrecauons
TONEARM
 21 Introducon
22 Overview
 23 GeneralArrangement
 24 SetUp&Operaon
 33 Guarantee
 34 Appendix

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2. INTRODUCTION
The Model 60 Precision Turntable
TheModel60Flagshipturntable,introduced60yearsaerSMEentered
the elite high end audio world is far superior than the highly credible
Model 30 which has been the reference precision turntable for over
3decades.
Thenewagshipisanenrelynewturntabledesignwithcleverengineering
andtechnologicaladvancement,butimportantlyretainingkeySMEaudio
engineeringprinciples.
The Model 60 specicaon includes: de-coupled feet with mulpoint
isolaon, an intelligent suspended suspension system with horizontal
and vercal control, hydraulically dampened main bearing, acouscally
treated main chassis, sub-chassis and plaer, sophiscated electronic
speed control with AC motor with remote (separate) power transformer.
In addion the legendary SME Series V tonearm has been extensively
sonically improved by use of a non-metallic tonearm tube made from
an advanced polymer resin material with high density and high rigidity
properesandimportantlyacouscallyinert.Withaloweecvemass
andsignicantlyreducedresonancesignaturetheSeriesVtonearmhas
beenredenedtotheSeriesVA(advanced).
TheModel60isthemosttechnicallyadvancedSMEturntableevermade
with extremely high build quality, close tolerance precision engineered
componentry, striking design and a range of non-painted uniquely
engineerednishes.

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3. OVERVIEW
2
6 7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
1 15
14
126 109 1143 7 85 13
3
5
4
1. SpeedControlUnit
2. PowerBuon
3. RotarySpeedControl
4. Air Vents
5. Plaer
6. RecordClamp
7. Tonearm
8. Power Unit
9. Suspension Column
10. SubChassis
11. MainChassis
12. AdjustableFoot
1. PowerUnit
2. Power Unit Output
3. VoltageIdentLabel
4. PowerON/OFFBuon
5. Mains Input AC Socket
6. LeRCAPhonoOutput
7. Phono Ground
8. RightRCAPhonoOutput
9. SerialNumberPlate
10. SpeedControlUnitInput
11. EarthPost-Turntable
12. PowerUnitInput
13. SpeedControlUnitOutput
14. AirVents
15. SpeedControlUnit

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4. WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
WEIGHTS:
 Turntable 48kg
 SpeedControlUnit 2kg
 PowerUnit 4.2kg
 BoxedShippingWeight 86kg
DIMENSIONS:
Turntable
 Height 212mm(topofclamp)
Width 557mm
 Depth 417mm
Speed Control Unit
 Height 87mm
 Width 170mm
Depth 295mm
Power Unit
 Height 83mm
 Width 190mm
 Depth 243mm
 330mm
Spindle to Arm 215.35mm
5. DRIVE SYSTEM
The turntable is driven by a custom made bi-phase AC synchronous
motor.ThespeedcontrolunitusesadedicatedDSPenginetogenerate
two independent pure mathemacal sine waves which provide total
controloffrequency,phaserelaonshipandamplitude.Theseinturnare
matched(tuned) tothe motorforaccuracyto obtainthe bestpossible
performance. The output driver stage is a 2 channel, class AB Bi-polar
designwithlow distoronandrelaycoupleddirectlyto themotor. The
enredesignisimplementedusinghighqualitysurfacemounttechnology
onagoldplatedFR4PCB.
6. SPEED RANGE
Thespeedrangeis331 /3and45rpmwithindependentmemorysengsvia
a switched encoder.

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7. PACKING LIST
Qty TURNTABLE
 1 Model60ChassisAssembly
 1 Plaer
 1 StroboscopicDisc
 1 SpeedControlUnit
 1 PowerUnit
 1 ConneconCable‘A’
 1 ConneconCable‘B’
 1 ACPowerCable
 1 RecordClamp
 1 RecordSpindleWasher
 1 DriveBelt
 1 SyringeofBearingSpindleOil
 1 BearingSpindleOilFillerAdaptor
 1 BearingSpindleOilFillerBoxSpanner
 1 SyringeofTonearmDampingFluid
 1 FingerLiwith2Washers
 1 CartridgeScrews(StainlessSteelSet)
 1 CartridgeScrews(AluminiumSet)
Qty TOOL KIT
 1 CartridgeScrewdriver-FlatBlade
 1 CartridgeScrewdriver-2mmHex
 1 5mmSpanner(CartridgeScrews)
 1 1/16A/FHexWrench
 1 0.89mmHexWrench
 1 2mmHexWrench
 1 2.5mmHexWrench
 1 3mmBall-endedHexHandle
 1 4mmHexWrench
 1 SuspensionAdjustmentKey(4mm)
 4 SuspensionHeightGauges(5mm)
 1 MotorHeightSengGauge(2mm)
 1 Spirit/BubbleLevel
 1 Alignment/HeightProtractor
 1 MounngTemplate
 1 VTAScrew
 1 HTAKey
 1 ProtractorSpindleBush

10
8. IDENTIFICATION TURNTABLE

Driven Pulley
Suspension
Column
Tonearm
Base
Chassis Transit
Screw (x4)
Pulley Transit
Screw (x4)
RCA Phono Connectors 
Suspension Adjustment
4mm Hex Key
Motor
Pulley
Motor
PLAN VIEW
Figure 1
REAR VIEW
Figure 2

11
  Motor Pulley
Spindle
Driven
Pulley
Suspension
Column
Sub-Chassis
Sub-Chassis
Main
Chassis
Main
Chassis
Feet
Isolators
Adjustable
Foot
Foot Pad Ring
Motor
Tonearm Wiring
Housing
Bearing
Spindle Base
Earth Post Dampening Bath
Height
Gauge
2mm
Height
Gauge
5mm
Motor
Counter
Balance Band
Motor
Transit
Screw
Motor Height
Adjuster (x3)
Motor Earth
Post
Tonearm
Base
SIDE VIEW L/H
Figure 4
SIDE VIEW R/H
Figure 3

12
9. UNPACKING
1. UnpackandcheckallitemsagainstthepackinglistinSecon7.
2. Having opened the packing case lid carefully li upwards the top
secon high density foam module which covers the turntable/
tonearmunit.DuetotheweightoftheModel60turntableitisbest
lied out of the caseby two people, one at each end andliing
from under the main chassis (boom of turntable) and not the
upper sub-chassis. The turntable should be sited on a substanal
tableorstrongaudiostandwhichmustbecapableofsupporngthe
turntableweightof48kg.
3. With the turntable sited li the le side of the turntable to gain
access to the motor transit screw which secures (clamps) the
motor to the main chassis. Remove the motor transit screw and the
an-fret packing strips and posion the turntable squarely and
centrally onto an audio stand. Ensure that the motor spikes are
securely inserted into the compliance cups.
4. Theturntableisshippedwithonlya
smallquantyofoilin thebearing
housing and this should be lled
before seng up the turntable. A
measuredquantyofoilisprovided
in the syringe and needs to be
injectedintothebearinghousing.
5. Removethesyringefromitspacking
and insert the p into the oil ller
adaptor, which will be found
factory ed next to the spindle
(as illustrated).
6. Slowlyinjectthecompletequanty
of oil into the bearing housing
maintaining downward pressure
throughouttheoperaontoprevent
leakage. Remove the syringe and
disposeofitresponsibly.
7. Unscrew and remove the oil ller adaptor using the box spanner
foundinsidethetoolkit.Retaintheadaptorforpossiblefutureuse.
8. With the turntable removed and sited, proceed to remove all
ancillarycomponentsandaccessories locatedin thepackingcase
modulesbelowtheturntablepackingplaorm.
Oil Syringe
Oil Filler Adaptor
Spindle

13
10. 
With the turntable unpacked and sited follow the turntable seng up
proceduresintheorderdetailedbelow:
1. Levelling the Turntable
 Withtheuseofaspirit/bubblelevelensurethatthemainchassis(lower
chassis)islevelinthelateralandlongitudinalplanes.The4feetareheight
adjustableandcanbeusedtoachievealevelchassis.Whenadjusngthe
feet it is recommended to slightly li the chassis adjacent to the foot
beingadjusted.Thisaideseaseofrotaonofthefootandpreventsthe
footrubberpadbinding.
2. Levelling the Motor
 a. Themotorismountedon3heightadjustmentscrews,thepointsof
whichsitincompliantcupsinthechassisbase.Fortransitpurposes
thesescrewshavebeenbackedoclearofthecompliantcups.
 b. Raise the motor by adjusng the x3 height adjustment screws
(clockwise)toaheightsengof2mm,achievedbyuseofthesupplied
2mmheightgauge.Theheightgaugeisinsertedneareachadjustment
screwinturnbetweentheundersideofthemotorandthesurfaceof
thechassisbase.
 c. The motor level can be checked by use of the spirit/bubble level
applied to the top surface of the motor pulley.
3. Chassis Unlocking
 a. Fortransitthesub-chassis(upperchassis)islockeddownbyx4transit
screws (Secon 8 Figure 1). The transit screws should be turned
an-clockwisewiththesupplied4mmhexwrenchandremoved.The
sub-chassiswilllislowlyupwardsasthetransitscrewsareremoved.
 b. Also for transit the main bearing is o-loaded by x4 pulley
transit screws. The transit screws are located in the driven pulley
(Secon8Figure1).Thesearecapvescrewsandshouldbeturned
an-clockwisewiththesupplied3mmhexhandlewrenchunlthey
stop.Ensurethehandlewrenchisfullyengagedtoavoiddamageto
the transit screw socket.
 c. Withthesub-chassisunlockedcarefullyinsertthex4(5mm)suspension
height gauges between the underside of the sub-chassis and the
mid-secon of the suspension columns (Secon 8 Figure 3). With
use of the suspension adjustment key (4mm) insert the key into
the access hole on the top of each suspension column and adjust
the suspension height by turning the key clockwise to lower and
an-clockwise to raise. Adjust each column evenly unl the
sub-chassislightlycontactsall 4heightgaugesat thesameme to
ensurethesub-chassisisevenlysettoaxedheightof5mm.

14
11. 
 
a. Placethedrivebeltoverthelargedrivenpulleyandstretchoverthe
motorpulley.Slowlyturnthedrivenpulleytoallowthedrivebeltto
takeupitsnaturalrunningposion.
 b. Rotatethedrivenpulleybyhandtoensurethedrivebeltisposioned
correctlyandrotangfreely.
 
 Removeandunpacktheplaerfromtheboomseconofthepacking
case.Placeitcarefullyandsquarelyovertheturntablespindleandlower
itgentlydownunlitrestsonthedrivenpulley,havingrstensuredthat
bothmangsurfacesareclean.
 
 Thesuspensionheightisadjustedbyuseoftheheightadjustmentkey.
Carefullyengagethekeyintothetopcentreofeachsuspensioncolumn
andinsequenceturnan-clockwisetoraisethesuspensiontoaheight
sengof5mm(clockwisewilllowerthesuspension).Theheightsengis
checkedbycarefullyinsernga5mmheightgaugebetweentheunderside
of the sub-chassis and the mid-secon of each suspension column
(Secon8Figure3).
7. Power Unit & Speed Control Unit
 Thepowerunitisconnectedtothespeedcontrolunitandturntableby
way of the connecon cables (Secon 12) with LEMO connectors. The
cablescannotbeconfusedastheycarryadierentnumberofpinswhich
arepurposelyconguredtoobservebothsafetyandmiss-idencaon.
ThecablesareidenedasAandB.
 • ConneconCableA -PowerUnitOutputtoSpeedControlUnitInput
 • ConneconCableB -SpeedControlUnitOutputtoTurntableInput
 The AC mains power cable is connected to the power unit AC input.
A push ON/OFF switch is located on the rear of the power supply unit.
IMPORTANT
The mains voltage seng is indicated on the rear panel of the power unit.
Before ng the mains power cable check carefully that this matches your
mainsvoltage.
WARNING
Tomeetinternaonalsafetystandardsthepowersupplyunitisearthedthrough
theyellow/greenwireofthepowercableandparcularcaremustbetakento
ensurethatthisis connectedso astomaintaineecveearthing shouldthe
originalmainsplugbechanged.

TheModel60isequippedwithafactoryedSMESeriesVAtonearm.Under
no circumstancesaempttoremovethetonearmasitiswireddirectlytothe
RCA phono output sockets.

15
12. POWER CABLE CONNECTIONS
Right RCA Phono Output
AC Power Cable
 
Output Output
Input Input
Power Unit Speed Control Unit
Phono Ground
NOTE:
• Mains powerwhenconnecngcables.

16
13. OPERATION - Turntable
TheModel60precisionturntableispartlyrun-inbeforeleavingthefactory
butwill benetand improveaer a fewweeksof use.Do notworry if
iniallythebearingisnottotallysilent.Aslight‘swish’barelyaudibleat
verycloserangeinasilentroomwillquicklydisappearaeruseofthe
turntable.Ifyoushouldwishtocheckthespeedsengsandmakeyour
ownadjustmentstheprocedureisasfollows:
1. Mains Power:thepowerON/OFFbuonislocatedontherearof
the power unit. With power ON the last used speed indicator LED
lightwillilluminateonthespeedcontrolunitfascia.
2. Motor Power: pressing the power buon on the speed control
unitfasciawill start themotor.WithpowerOFF andpressingthe
rotarybuononthefasciathespeedsengsof331
/3and 45rpm will
cycleandbeindicatedbythespeedLED.Withthemotorrunning,
pressingthepowerbuonwillstopthemotor.
3.   the stroboscopic disc installed on the plaer is
used to check speeds of 331
/3 and 45rpm. Use the strobe bands
appropriateforyourmainsACfrequency.Thediscshouldbeviewed
inauorescentorneonlight.Theappropriatebandwillsynchronise
and appear staonary when the speed is correct. Whilst forward
and reverse band movement will indicate fast or slow running
respecvely.Thisisbestobservedwiththecartridgeedandthe
tonearm in the raised posion and placed directly over the band
beingviewedasareferencepoint.
4. Speed Adjustment: with the motor running press and hold the
rotary buonfortwoseconds,the speed indicatorLEDwill begin
toash.Themotorisnowinspeedadjustmodeandthespeedcan
nowbeadjustedinconjunconwiththestroboscopicdisc.Turning
the rotary buon an-clockwise will reduce speed and clockwise
willincreasespeed.Themethodprovidesamicroneincremental
adjustment.Whenthespeedadjustmentiscompleteddepressand
release the rotary buon, the speed indicator LED light will stop
ashingandbecomeconstantandthespeedsengwillbestored
in the system memory for future use.
5. Repeatthisprocessforthe45rpmspeedrangeifrequired.

17
14. OPERATION - Playing a Record
Placetherecordspindlewasheronthespindlefollowedbytherecordand
clamp.Theclampshouldbescreweddownclockwiseenoughtodeect
therecordatintormcontactwiththeplaer.Withangerp,tapthe
recordin threeplaces equallyoveritssurfaceandwith alile pracce
it will soon become evident whether or not the record is touching the
plaer.Ifnot,somefurtherghteningoftheclampmaybenecessary.
15. MAINTENANCE
1. Therearenocricaladjustmentsorneedfor‘tweak’andonlyvery
lilemaintenanceisrequired.Cleanthedrivebeltoccasionallyby
drawing it through a piece of so ssue or linen moistened with
lighterfuel.Thesamematerialmaybeusedtocleantheperiphery
ofthemotorpulleyanddrivenpulley.Themainbearingislubricated
for life.
2. The sub-chassis (upper chassis) damping system automacally
seals when the sub-chassis is locked down and does not require
maintenance.
3. Replacethedrivebeltaer1000hoursuse.Areplacementbeltis
availabledirectlyfromSMELimited.
4. Thelifeofthesuspensionbandswilldependonclimaccondions.
If eventually they should stretch beyond further adjustment,
replacement suspension bands are available directly from SME
Limited.
5. Changing the suspension bands should only be conducted by
an experienced technician or at the supplying dealer. A technical
instruconprocesscanbeobtainedfromSMELimited.
6. Therearenouser-serviceablepartsinsidethePowerUnitorSpeed
Control Unit.

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16. TRANSIT PRECAUTIONS
TheModel60canbesafelytransported.
SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Shortjourneysbycar:removetheplaer,disengagethedrivebeltfrom
themotorpulley,backothemotorheightadjustmentandretthemotor
transit screw. Lock down the sub-chassis suspension. Screw down the
fourdrivenpulleytransitscrewslightlyandevenly,justenoughtoprevent
thepulleyrotang.Theturntableitselfisbestplacedonaatoorofa
car boot/trunk. The plaer and other items can be carefully protected
and packed separately from the turntable. For all other transportaon
purposestheoriginalpackingcaseandmaterialsmustbeused.

INSTRUCTIONS
HIGH DENSITY TONEARM
This is no ordinary tonearm.
These instructions include set up procedures, adjustments and specications.
Please read carefully.

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17. CONTENTS
Page
 21 Introducon
22 Overview
 23 GeneralArrangement
 24 SetUp&Operaon
 33 Guarantee
 34 Appendix