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SME 20/2 Turntable and Tonearm Package Further Information: Mint condition SME 20/11 turntable and current model SME V tonearm and optional SME cover. Comes with complete original packing. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: paypal, eft, cash Region/State: (VIC) Victoria/Australia By Famo 1 Comments AUD $13,500 Date: August 12, 20241 yr
SME 20 2 Turntable – A$13,500 AUD
This asking price sits well above typical used market territory. Based on recent comparable listings, the median for used turntables in this category hovers around A$5,321 AUD, with the 75th percentile reaching A$8,879 AUD. The SME 20 2 is a serious deck—built in the early 2000s with genuine engineering pedigree—but A$13,500 AUD positions it closer to new or near-mint vintage collectible pricing rather than standard used-market rates. Unless this particular unit is exceptionally low-mileage, fully serviced, or bundled with significant accessories (original packaging, spare parts, premium tonearm), the asking price demands justification. For that money, you're paying a premium that assumes pristine condition and provenance.
Before committing, verify the tonearm's bearing play—SME arms can develop notchy feel over decades of use, and service costs mount quickly. Check that the motor runs smoothly without hum or speed drift, and confirm all original documentation and certificates exist. Request detailed photos of the platter, bearing, and any visible wear on the base. If the unit hasn't been serviced in the past five years, budget another A$1,500–2,500 AUD for professional overhaul, which would push your real cost well beyond comparable alternatives.
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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