Expired
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SME SERIES V 12 SUPERB EXAMPLE ONE OWNER LIGHT VERIFIED USE EXCELLENT SOUNDING SPECIMIN WE TEST AND GRADE EVERY TONEARM BEFORE OFFERING FOR SALE. THE V12 COMES UP LESS OFTEN THAN THE 9 INCH SERIES V PLEASE PHONE 07913964746 FOR MORE DETAILS.
Excellent value on condition alone: at £6,000, this sits well above your £2,835 75th percentile and is clearly an ambitious ask versus the typical used market, with plenty of room for negotiation unless this is unusually complete and near-mint.
That said, the Series V-12 is one of the more respected SME tonearms, prized for its precision engineering, stable tracking, and the kind of low-colouration presentation that suits serious vinyl setups. A genuinely pristine example can justify a premium if it includes the right mounting parts, original accessories, and documented careful ownership, but at this level I’d want confirmation of bearing feel, wiring health, and that nothing essential is missing before treating it as a slam-dunk 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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