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AVID Ingenium Turntable — (Floor Model with SME M29 Tonearm (NEW!!!) and Original AVID Clamp)The AVID Ingenium is a distinctive British turntable built around a straightforward but carefully engineered mechanical approach: a rigid platter/bearing platform, controlled vibration and a separate motor designed to maintain stable platter rotation.Introduced in 2013, the Ingenium brought AVID's engineering philosophy to a more accessible turntable design, incorporating several of the company's key mechanical principles without unnecessary complexity.This particular floor-model example is fitted with a BRAND NEW SME M29 tonearm and is offered cartridge-ready. This makes it an especially interesting option for the vinyl enthusiast who already has a preferred cartridge—or who wants the freedom to select one specifically for their system.At the heart of the Ingenium is its inverted bearing, incorporating a tungsten-carbide/sapphire thrust interface. The platter and bearing provide a stable mechanical foundation for the record, while the elastomer feet help control the transmission of external vibration.AVID's distinctive screw-down vibration-transfer clamp is also included. The clamp secures the record firmly to the platter and helps maintain consistent mechanical contact between the record and platter, while also helping accommodate mildly warped records.The Ingenium uses a separate AC synchronous motor, positioned independently from the main turntable structure. Its relatively high torque is intended to maintain control of the platter and minimize the effect of stylus drag during playback.This particular configuration includes:AVID Ingenium turntableSME M29 tonearmNO CARTRIDGE (cartridge-ready but is not included)Original AVID screw-down record clampOriginal-style cork-based platter matSeparate AVID AC synchronous motorClear acrylic dust coverSpecifications:Drive: Belt driveSpeeds: 33⅓ / 45 RPMPlatter: 2.5 kgBearing: Inverted stainless steelThrust point: Tungsten carbide / sapphireIsolation: Elastomer feetTonearm: SME M29Cartridge: Not includedMotor: 12 mNm AC synchronousDimensions: 370 × 305 × 130 mmWeight: Approximately 5.9 kg / 13 lbThis unit is a floor-model example in excellent used condition overall, but has a BRAND NEW tonearm. Please see photos carefully for the cosmetic condition, including the acrylic dust cover, and for everything included with the sale.The combination of the AVID Ingenium's mechanically focused design and SME M29 tonearm makes this a particularly appealing package for an enthusiast looking for a serious, understated vinyl setup. The absence of a cartridge also means the new owner can choose a cartridge based on their own system, taste and budget rather than being tied to a predetermined cartridge.For additional information, please message Dan for details.Terms:• Canadian purchases: EMT/payments accepted• PayPal fees not included• Shipping not included• No trades• Duties, brokerage, and customs fees not included
Is this a fair shot at a cult classic, or is the asking price trying to ride the brand’s reputation? At US$3,780, this lands well above the US$2,655 75th percentile and looks ambitious versus the recent used market; it’s not a bargain, and I’d only pay that if the package is unusually complete or effectively mint.
What makes this model worth caring about is the engineering: the Ingenium has a strong reputation for musical drive, a serious plinth/bearing architecture, and the kind of speed stability and tonal poise that rewards a good cartridge and careful setup. If the listing includes the original arm, dust cover, box, and documented low-use ownership, that helps a lot; otherwise, at this level, I’d want firm proof of condition before treating it as an easy buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Founded in 1946 by Alastair Robertson-Aikman as The Scale Model Equipment Company Limited in England, SME initially produced scale models and precision parts for engineering trades before pivoting in the 1950s to high-precision components for aircraft instruments and business machines. By 1961, it had relocated to a dedicated factory in Steyning, Sussex, and fully embraced audio engineering, developing its first tonearm for personal use. Now marking over 70 years of excellence, SME was acquired in 2016 by industrialist Ajay Shirke's Cadence Group, ensuring continued innovation while honoring its heritage, including recent moves like reviving the Garrard turntable brand.
SME specializes exclusively in precision turntables and tonearms, offering models like the acclaimed Model 30 series alongside a range of twelve standard arms and custom variants. With over one million tonearms sold worldwide, the company avoids diversification into amplifiers, speakers, DACs, headphones, or cables, focusing instead on unmatched engineering for vinyl playback.
Regarded as the gold standard in high-end analog audio, SME commands a niche position among discerning audiophiles for its Steyning facility—the world's largest and best-equipped for precision pick-up arms and turntables. Synonymous with industry-leading build quality and sonic refinement, it appeals to serious collectors and professionals who prioritize mechanical perfection over mass-market compromises.
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