The SME Model 12 MK2: Sussex-Engineered Precision at Its Finest

Clearance Sale Ex-Demonstration Model Available - Exceptional Value

We have something rather exceptional in our demonstration room—an SME Model 12 MK2 that's been used only a handful of times for customer auditions. This Sussex-engineered masterpiece is now seeking a new home, complete with full manufacturer warranty and our comprehensive support.

Why SME Commands Such Respect

After 50 years selling specialist hi-fi, we've learned to recognise engineering excellence when we encounter it. SME has spent over six decades refining the art of precision turntable manufacture, and the Model 12 MK2 represents their latest thinking on what constitutes reference-standard vinyl reproduction.

What sets SME apart isn't just their obsessive attention to tolerances—it's their understanding that technical precision must serve musical engagement. Every component, from the close-tolerance bearing to the isolated suspension system, exists to reveal more of what's hidden in those record grooves.

The Engineering Philosophy

The Model 12 MK2 showcases SME's evolved drive system technology, delivering significantly improved speed control and stability over the original Model 12. This isn't incremental refinement—it's a comprehensive rethinking of how to maintain absolute speed accuracy whilst isolating the platter from external interference.

The high-mass, small-footprint design solves a perennial audiophile challenge: achieving the stability of substantial turntables without dominating your listening room. The independent mains transformer ensures clean power delivery, isolated from the vagaries of household electrical noise that can subtly veil musical detail.

Living with the Model 12 MK2

This particular example has been carefully maintained in our demonstration facilities, used sparingly for supervised listening sessions. It's already been professionally serviced and will receive another comprehensive service before delivery, ensuring you receive it in absolutely pristine condition.

The included SME 309 magnesium tonearm represents serious value—this precision-engineered arm would cost substantial money if purchased separately. Its exceptional tracking ability, combined with Crystal Cable internal wiring, preserves signal purity from cartridge to output. Should you wish to upgrade further, the Model 12 MK2 accommodates SME's legendary Series IV or V tonearms.

The Support That Makes the Difference

Purchasing a turntable of this calibre from Martins Hi-Fi means more than just a transaction. We offer professional installation services (available separately) to ensure perfect setup in your listening environment. More valuable still is our ongoing relationship—through follow-up calls and annual check-ins, we help you optimise performance as your system evolves.

We'll guide you through cartridge selection, phono stage matching, and those subtle adjustments that transform good sound into something magical. Many customers discover their systems improve months after purchase, as they learn the fine-tuning that brings everything into focus.

Trade-In Opportunities

If you're currently enjoying a quality turntable but feel ready for SME precision, let's discuss trade-in options. We offer generous valuations that reflect the genuine value of your current equipment. The Model 12 MK2 represents such a significant leap in resolution and musical insight that even owners of respected turntables find the upgrade transformative.

Our approach to trade-ins is refreshingly straightforward—we understand your current turntable has provided years of musical enjoyment and deserves respectful consideration as part of your upgrade path.

Why Choose Martins Hi-Fi

Five decades in the business has taught us that exceptional hi-fi is about relationships, not just products. We help you understand how the Model 12 MK2 will integrate with your existing system, which recordings will showcase its strengths, and how room positioning affects performance.

Our demonstration facilities allow you to experience the SME with your own records, hearing firsthand how it handles everything from intimate jazz recordings to complex orchestral works. You'll understand exactly what this level of precision brings to your musical enjoyment.

The Sonic Achievement

The Model 12 MK2 delivers what SME describes as "natural, open and dynamic sound"—but those words barely capture the experience. There's an rightness to the presentation, a sense that you're hearing exactly what the mastering engineer intended. The superior tracking stability means even challenging passages are rendered with composure, whilst micro-dynamics—those tiny volume shifts that convey emotion—are preserved intact.

The LEMO low-power cables and RCA chassis connectors ensure this carefully retrieved information reaches your phono stage without degradation. Every element reflects SME's philosophy: technical excellence in service of musical truth.

Sussex Craftsmanship

Each Model 12 MK2 is precision-manufactured at SME's Sussex facility, where components are made in-house to tolerances measured in microns. This isn't mass production—it's methodical craftsmanship where each unit receives individual testing and calibration before leaving the factory.

The available finishes—traditional SME Black, Dark Grey, and Dark Blue with contrast detailing—reflect the understated elegance that characterises British high-end audio. This is equipment designed to provide decades of service, built by engineers who understand that true quality endures.

Making Your Decision

This ex-demonstration SME Model 12 MK2 offers genuine value for those seeking reference-standard vinyl reproduction. With full manufacturer warranty, comprehensive pre-delivery servicing, and Martins Hi-Fi's five decades of support expertise, you're investing in far more than just a turntable.

We invite you to arrange a personal audition, where we can demonstrate the Model 12 MK2's capabilities and discuss how it might transform your listening experience. Our team will explain the various support services available, from professional installation to long-term system optimisation.

Contact Us

To arrange your demonstration or discuss this exceptional SME turntable further, telephone 01603 627010. We're here to share our expertise and help you discover what Sussex-engineered precision can bring to your musical enjoyment.

Sometimes, the perfect upgrade presents itself at exactly the right moment. For one discerning listener, that moment has arrived.