SME Diamond MK2 Synergy User manual
INSTRUCTIONS
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
INSTRUCTIONS
This is no ordinary turntable.
These instructions include unpacking, set up, specications and operation.
Please read carefully.
PRECISION TURNTABLE
Warning! Important Safety Instrucons
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.
• TheventslotsintheSpeedControlUnitarefornecessaryvenlaon.Toensurereliableoperaonofthisapparatusandtoprotect
fromoverheangtheseventsmustneverbeblockedorcovered.
• Donotplaceawatercontainingvesselonthisapparatus,asthiscanresultinariskofreorelectricshock.Donotexposethis
apparatus to rain or place it near water.
• Ifthisapparatusaccidentallygetswet,unplugitandcontactanauthoriseddealerimmediately.
• Youcancleanthisapparatuswithadampclothwhennecessary,butbesuretounplugtheapparatusrst.Tocutothepower
source,unplugtheapparatusfromtheACwalloutlet.
• DonotoverloadACwalloutlets,powercablesoradaptorsbeyondtheircapacityasthiscanresultinreorelectricshock.
• Powercablesshouldberoutedsothattheyarenotlikelytobewalkedonorpinchedbyitemsplaceduponoragainstthem,paying
parcularaenontocablesattheplugend,adaptorsandthepointtheyexitfromtheappliance.
• BeforeconnecngtheACpowercabletothePowerUnit,makesurethevoltageofthePowerUnit,asmarkedontheidencaon
labelattherear,correspondstothelocalelectricitysupply.
• Neverinsertanythingmetallicintotheopenpartsofthisapparatus.
• OnlyaqualiedtechnicianshouldremovethePowerUnitorSpeedControlUnitcover.
• Besuretoholdtheplug,notthepowercable,whendisconnecngthisapparatusfromanelectricsocket.
• LocatethisapparatusnearaneasilyaccessibleACoutlet.
• If this apparatus does not operate normally, in parcular if there are any unusual sounds or smells, unplug it immediately
and consult an authorised dealer.
• UnplugthisapparatusfromtheACoutletbeforeanyservice.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
ThepowercableonthisequipmentwhensuppliedforuseintheUK,isedwithamouldedplugincorporangafuse.Thevalueof
thefuseisindicatedonthepinfaceoftheplugandifitrequiredreplacingafuseapprovedtoBSI1362ofthesamerangmustbe
used.Neverusetheplugwiththefusecoveromiedifthecoverisdetachable.Iftheplugedisnotsuitableforthepowerpointsin
yourroomorifthepowercableisnotlongenoughtoreachthepowerpoint,youshouldobtainasuitablesafetyapprovedextension
lead or consult your dealer for assistance.
IMPORTANT:
Thewiresinthepowercablearecolouredinaccordancewiththefollowingcode:BLUE NEUTRAL, BROWN LIVE. As these colours may
notcorrespondtothecolouredmarkingsidenfyingtheterminalsinyourplug,proceedasfollows:ThewirecolouredBLUEmustbe
connectedtotheterminalmarkedwiththeleerNorcolouredBLUEorBLACK.ThewirecolouredBROWNmustbeconnectedtothe
terminalmarkedwiththeleerLorcolouredBROWNorRED.
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 collecon system).
Themarkingshownonthisproductoritsliterature,indicatesthatitshouldnotbedisposedwithotherhouseholdwastesatthe
endofitsworkinglife.Topreventpossibledamagetotheenvironmentorhumanhealthfromuncontrolledwastedisposal,please
separatethisfromothertypesofwastesandrecycleitresponsiblytopromotethesustainablere-useofmaterialresources.
Householdusersshouldcontacteithertheretailerwheretheypurchasedthisproductortheirlocalgovernmentoce,formore
detailedinformaonofwhereandhowtheycantakethisitemforenvironmentallysaferecycling.
Businessusersshouldcontacttheirsupplierandcheckthetermsandcondionsofthepurchasecontract.Thisproductshouldnot
bemixedwithothercommercialwastesfordisposal.
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1. CONTENTS
Page
6 Introducon
7 Dimensions&Weights
7 Drive System
7 SpeedRange
8 PackingList
9 PartsIdencaon-Turntable
10 Unpacking
11 SengUp -Turntable
13 Cartridge
14 PowerCableConnecons
15 Operaon-Turntable
16 Operaon-PlayingaRecord
16 Operaon-Tonearm
16 Maintenance
17 TransitPrecauons
17 Guarantee
18 Appendix
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2. INTRODUCTION
Synergyisauniqueprecisionengineeredintegratedturntableofnewdesign
combined with the highly acclaimed SME Series IV tonearm, Ortofon’s
‘exclusiveseries’MCWindfeldTimovingcoilcartridgeandanexclusivephono
stagebyNAGRA,coupledwithmonocrystalsilverwirebyCrystalCable,all
factoryconguredrequiringminimaluserset-up.
Compact, sleek, modern and built to exacng engineering standards
providing reliabilityand freedomfromcricaladjustments.Build integrity,
sophiscated electronics and vibraon free moving parts allow the full
capabilies of any sound system to be fully explored, above all Synergy
deliversanextraordinaryvinyllisteningexperience.
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3. DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Turntable mm (inch)
Width 370(14.57)
Depth 350(13.80)
Height(topoftonearm) 178(7.0)
PlaerDiameter 304(11.97)
SpindletoArm 215.35(8.48)
Speed Control Unit
Width 170(6.70)
Depth 305(12.0)
Height 68(2.68)
Power Unit
Height 83(3.26)
Width 190(7.48)
Depth 243(9.56)
Plaer 303(11.92)
Weight kg (Ib)
Turntable 19.59(43.18)
PowerUnit 4.04(8.90)
SpeedControlUnit 2.88(6.34)
Shipping 32.0(70.54)
4. DRIVE SYSTEM
The turntable is driven by a custom made bi-phase AC synchronous
motor.ThespeedcontrolunitusesadedicatedDSPenginetogenerate
two independent pure mathemacal sine waves which provide total
controloffrequency,phaserelaonshipandamplitude.Theseinturnare
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
designwith lowdistoronandrelaycoupleddirectlytothemotor.The
enredesignisimplementedusinghighqualitysurfacemounttechnology
onagoldplatedFR4PCB.
6. SPEED RANGE
Thespeedrangeis331
/3and45rpmwithindependentmemorysengsvia
a switched encoder.
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7. PACKING LIST
Qty Descripon 3
1 SynergyTurntable..............Tonearm..............
1 SpeedControlUnit
1 PowerUnit–100V 115V 230V
1 PowerCable–UK EU USA
1 LEMOConneconCables
1 NagraPowerUnit–100V 115V 230V
1 NagraPowerCable–UK EU USA
1 NagraLowVoltageCable
1 OrtofonCartridge(ed)
1 DriveBelt
1 Plaer
1 StroboscopicDisc
1 OilFillerAdaptor(ed)
1 OilFillerBoxSpanner
1 SyringeofBearingOil
1 StylusGuard
1 RecordSpindleWasher
1 RecordClamp
1 TonearmToolKit
1 3mmHexHandle
1 4mmHexWrench
1 VelcroStrap
1 GuaranteeCard
1 TonearmInstruconManual
1 SynergyInstruconManual
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3
4
6
5
2
1
1. SpeedControlUnit
2. PowerBuon
3. RotarySpeedControl
4. Air Vents
5. Plaer
6. RecordClamp
7. Tonearm
8. Headshell
9. Stylus Guard
10. SubChassis
11. MainChassis
12. AdjustableFoot
1. NagraPhonoStageInput
2. RightRCAPhonoOutput
3. LeRCAPhonoOutput
4. Speed Control Unit Input
5. EarthPost-Turntable
6. Motor&EarthPost
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3
4
5
6
8. PARTS IDENTIFICATION - TURNTABLE 7
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10
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9. UNPACKING
1. UnpackandcheckallitemsagainstthepackinglistinSecon7.
2. Havingopenedthepackingboxcarefullyliupwardsthetopsecon
highdensityfoammodulewhichcoverstheturntable/tonearmunit.
Lioutthe turntableliing fromunder themainchassis (boom
ofturntable).Theturntableshouldbesitedonasubstanaltable
or strong audio stand which must be capable of supporng the
turntableweight.
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
posiontheturntablesquarelyandcentrallyontoanaudiostand.
Ensure that the motor base posts are securely inserted into the
compliance cups.
4. The turntable is shipped with only a small quanty of oil in the
bearing housing and this should be lled before seng up the
turntable.Ameasuredquantyofoilis
providedinthesyringeandneedstobe
injectedintothebearinghousing.
5. Removethesyringefromitspacking
and insert the p into the oil ller
adaptor, which will be found
factoryednexttothespindle(as
illustrated).
6. Slowlyinjectthecompletequanty
of oil into the bearing housing
maintaining downward pressure
throughouttheoperaontoprevent
leakage. Remove the syringe and
disposeofitresponsibly
7. Unscrew and remove the oil ller
adaptor using the box spanner
found inside the tool kit. Retain the
adaptorforpossiblefutureuse.
Oil Syringe
Oil Filler Adaptor
Spindle
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10. SETTING UP - TURNTABLE
1. Levelling
Withtheuseofaspirit/bubblelevelensurethatthemainchassis(lower
chassis)islevelinthelateralandlongitudinalplanes.The4feetareheight
adjustableandcanbeusedtoachievealevelchassis.Whenadjusngthe
feet it is recommended to slightly li the chassis adjacent to the foot
beingadjusted.Thisaideseaseofrotaonofthefootandpreventsthe
footrubberpadbinding.
2. Transit Locks
Fortransitthesuspensionislocked(secured)bytwoscrews;theseare
accessiblethroughholesinthedrivenpulley.Thetransitscrewsshouldbe
turnedan-clockwisewiththesupplied4mmhexwrenchandremoved.
3. Drive Belt
1. Placethedrivebeltoverthelargedrivenpulleyandstretchoverthe
motorpulley.Slowlyturnthedrivenpulleytoallowthedrivebeltto
takeupitsnaturalrunningposion.
2. Rotatethedrivenpulleybyhandtoensurethedrivebeltisposioned
correctlyandrotangfreely.
4. Plaer
Unpacktheplaerandplaceitcarefullyandsquarelyovertheturntable
spindleloweringitgentlydownunlitrestsonthedrivenpulley,having
rstensuredthatbothmangsurfacesareclean.
WARNING
The unique damping material (isodamp) installed on the plaer top surface
hasbeendiamond turnedandscrolledforinmatecontactwiththe record.
Avoidhandlingtheisodampmaterialandtreatitlikeavinylrecordasitcould
beeasilydamaged.
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10. SETTING UP - TURNTABLE (connued)
6. Power Unit & Speed Control Unit
Thepowerunitisconnectedtothespeedcontrolunitandturntableby
wayofthe conneconcables(Secon12) withLEMOconnectors.The
cablescannotbeconfusedastheycarryadierentnumberofpinswhich
arepurposelyconguredtoobservebothsafetyandmiss-idencaon.
ThecablesareidenedasAandB.
1. ConneconCableA-PowerUnitOutputtoSpeedControlUnitInput
2. ConneconCableB-SpeedControlUnitOutputtoTurntableInput
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 seng is indicated on the rear panel of the power unit.
Before ng the mains power cable check carefully that this matches your
mainsvoltage.
7. Phono Stage Power Unit
ConnecttheNagrapowerunitlowvoltageoutputcableintotheturntable
chassisconnectorattherearoftheturntable
.
8. Tonearm Set Up
Synergy is equipped with a factory ed SME tonearm. Refer to the
tonearminstruconmanualforsetupprocedures.
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11. CARTRIDGE
Thetonearmandcartridgearefactoryinstalledandsetup.Itisadvisedthat
postshippingtransitadigitalstyluspressuregaugeisusedtocheckthatthe
styluspressurehasremainedatthefactorysengof2.3grams.
Should the cartridge need to be replaced, observe the following guideline
points and refer to the tonearm manual.
1. Before removal and installaon of the cartridge, ensure that its stylus
guardisinposionasaprecauonagainstaccidentaldamage.
2. TheSiltechsilvercartridgeleadshave1mmdiameterreceptaclesforthe
headshellandstandard1.25mmforthecartridge.Thelaermayrequire
adjustmentwithpointednosepliersorascrewdriverbladeforasnugt
onnon-standardterminals.Conneconstothecartridgemustneverbe
madebydirectsoldering.
3. Thecartridgeleadcolourcodingisasfollows:
Red-RightChannel
Green-RightChannelGround
White-LeChannel
Blue-LeChannelGround
4
. Replacement Siltech silver cartridge leads can be obtained direct
from SME.
Blue
White
Green
Red
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12. POWER CABLE CONNECTIONS
Le RCA Phono OutputRight RCA Phono Output
AC Power Cable Nagra Phono Stage Input
Connecon Cable ‘A’ Connecon Cable ‘B’
Output
Output
Input
Power Unit Speed Control Unit
NOTE:
Mains power must be owhenconnecnganddisconnecngCablesAandB.
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13. OPERATION - TURNTABLE
YourSynergyprecisionturntableispartlyrun-inbeforeleavingthefactory
but will benet and improve aer a few weeks of use. Do not worry if
iniallythebearingisnottotallysilent.Aslight‘swish’barelyaudibleat
verycloserangeinasilentroomwillquicklydisappearaeruseofthe
turntable.Ifyoushouldwishtocheckthespeedsengsandmakeyour
ownadjustmentstheprocedureisasfollows:
1. Mains Power:thepowerON/OFFbuonislocatedontherearof
the power unit. With power ON the last used speed indicator LED
lightwillilluminateonthespeedcontrolunitfascia.
2. Motor Power: pressing the power buon on the speed control
unitfasciawillstartthe motor.WithpowerOFF andpressingthe
rotarybuononthefasciathespeedsengsof331
/3and 45rpm will
cycleandbeindicatedbythespeedLED.Withthemotorrunning,
pressingthepowerbuonwillstopthemotor.
3. Speed Tesng: the stroboscopic disc installed on the plaer is
used to check speeds of 331
/3 and 45rpm. Use the strobe bands
appropriateforyourmainsACfrequency.Thediscshouldbeviewed
inauorescentorneonlight.Theappropriatebandwillsynchronise
and appear staonary when the speed is correct. Whilst forward
and reverse band movement will indicate fast or slow running
respecvely.Thisisbestobservedwiththecartridgeedandthe
tonearm in the raised posion and placed directly over the band
beingviewedasareferencepoint.
4. Speed Adjustment: with the motor running press and hold the
rotarybuonfortwoseconds,the speedindicatorLED willbegin
toash.Themotorisnowinspeedadjustmodeandthespeedcan
nowbeadjustedinconjunconwiththestroboscopicdisc.Turning
the rotary buon an-clockwise will reduce speed and clockwise
willincreasespeed.Themethodprovidesamicroneincremental
adjustment.Whenthespeedadjustmentiscompleteddepressand
release the rotary buon, the speed indicator LED light will stop
ashingandbecomeconstantandthespeedsengwillbestored
in the system memory for future use.
5. Repeatthisprocessforthe45rpmspeedrangeifrequired.
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14. OPERATION - PLAYING A RECORD
Placetherecordspindlewasheronthespindlefollowedbytherecord
andclamp.Theclampshouldbescreweddownclockwiseenough
todeecttherecordatintormcontactwiththeplaer.Witha
ngerp,taptherecordinthreeplacesequallyoveritssurfaceand
withalilepracceitwillsoonbecomeevidentwhetherornotthe
recordistouchingtheplaer.Ifnot,somefurtherghteningofthe
clampmaybenecessary.
15. OPERATION - TONEARM
1. Withthecontrolleverintheraisedposionmovethetonearmout
ofthearmrestandposionthetonearmsothatthestylusisover
theselectedrecordgroove.
2. Tolowerthestylusontotherecordmovethecontrolleverforward
unlitisjustpasttopdeadcentre.Thiswillsettheloweringcontrol
inmoon,atwhichpointitwilltakeoverthemovementofthelever,
givingasmoothcontrolleddescent.
Note:Forthe correct descentmethe controlmust beoperated
exactly as above. The speed will be increased considerably if the
lever is pushed down instead of being allowed to fall of its own
accord.
3. To raise the stylus from the record slowly move the control lever
backtoitsoriginalposion.Whenthetonearmisnotinuseitshould
alwaysbereturnedtothearmrestforsafety.
16. MAINTENANCE - TURNTABLE
1. Therearenocricaladjustmentsorneedfor‘tweak’andonlyvery
lilemaintenanceisrequired.Cleanthedrivebeltoccasionallyby
drawing it through a piece of so ssue or linen moistened with
lighterfuel.Thesamematerialmaybeusedtocleantheperiphery
ofthemotorpulleyanddrivenpulley.Themainbearingislubricated
for life.
2. Replacethedrivebeltaer1000hoursuse.Areplacementbeltis
availabledirectlyfromSME.
3. Therearenouser-serviceablepartsinsidethepowerunitandspeed
control unit.
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17. TRANSIT PRECAUTIONS
Synergycanbesafelytransported,
SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Shortjourneysbycar:removetheplaer,disengagethedrivebeltfrom
the motor pulley and replace the transit screw. The plaer and other
itemscanbestowedseparatelyprovidedtheyarecarefullyprotected.For
allothertransportaonpurposestheoriginalpackingcaseandmaterials
mustbeused.
18. GUARANTEE
Your SME Synergy turntable is guaranteed against faulty material and
workmanship.Thenominalperiodoftheguaranteeis24monthsbutis
liberallyinterpretedatSME’sdiscreonsubjecttothefollowingcondions
beingobserved:
1. AnymaerarisingmustintherstinstancebereportedtoSMEat
theaddressappearingbelow.
2. Do not return the turntable or any part thereof to SME unless
requested to do so.
3. SMEwillnotacceptliabilityforanyitemsunltheyreachthefactory
safely.
4. Any parts found to be faulty will be replaced free of charge.
5. Returntransportandinsurancecostswillbecharged.
6. Theguaranteeexpresslyexcludes:
(a)Cartridge/Styluswearandtear.
(b)Damagebyanycause.
(c)Conngentandthirdpartyliability.
(d)Personalinjury.
7. No alteraon or variaon of the guarantee will be recognised
bySME.
8. Theguaranteeisnottransferable.
SME LIMITED · MILL ROAD · STEYNING · WEST SUSSEX ·BN443GY· ENGLAND
T:+44(0)1903814321· E: [email protected] · W: www.sme.ltd.uk
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19. APPENDIX
Wehope theseinstruconshavemadethe installaonofyourSynergy
precisionturntablestraighorward.Careforitasbetsitsneconstrucon.
Donotinvertit.Donotapplyoilorotherlubricantexceptasdirected.Do
notaempttotakeittopiecesorinterferewithanyofthescrewsexcept
asdirectedintheinstrucons.Todosowillinvalidatetheguaranteeand
mayincurcostlyrepairs.Keepyourturntablecleanbydusngitregularly
withdueregardforthesafetyofthecartridgeandstylus.Fingermarks
may be removed from the nished surfaces with a linen handkerchief
moistened with warm soapy water. Do not use any kind of spirit or solvent
cleaner.
Intheunlikelyeventofaproblemconcerningoperaonorservice,always
contactthesupplyingdealerorSMELimitedstangtheexactnatureof
theproblemandtheserialnumberwhichwillbefoundontherearofthe
main chassis.
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
The SME Synergy Turntable has been manufactured to conform with the protecon
requirementsoftheECCouncilDirecve89/336/EECrelangtoEMCbyapplicaonof
thefollowingstandards:
BSEN61000-6-3:2007+A1:2011EmissionsStandard.
BS EN 61000-6-1:2007 Immunity Standard and also the requirements of the EC low
voltagedirecverelangtoelectricalsafetybyapplicaonofthefollowingstandard:
BSEN62368-1:2014InternaonalSafetyStandard.
ForthepurposesoftesngtheSMESynergyTurntablewasusedwiththehighquality
interconnects supplied as standard equipment. Compliance with the above standards
mayonly bemadeifthe unitisinstalledas perthisinstruconmanualandusing the
correctcables.
SME Limited · Mill Road · Steyning · West Sussex · BN44 3GY · England
PrintedinSteyningEngland
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SME LIMITED •STEYNING •WEST SUSSEX •ENGLAND
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