In an age of the disposal mentality, it is quite impressive to see the craftsmanship and a tradition of high standards still being held and practiced -- no shortcuts. Although many of us may not afford such precision in the financial environment to which we are assigned . . . it is still encouraging to know that such standards still exist and are being practiced. Great video of hard-working people, still passing down their knowledge and pride in a job well-done. I would hope that such quality will still be appreciated by future generations instead of the get-it-quick, fast, and cheap that so many have been brainwashed into accepting . . . and even demanding. There is something to be said for by-gone years when people took pride in their work, which reflected on them personally.
Thank you Michael. I think that's the longest video on You Tube I've ever watched from start to finish. I loved every minute of it. I bought a Model 10 back around 2000 after reading your Stereophile review of it. It wasn't so much the review as it was the photo on the front cover of the magazine that appealed, it still is a superb looking and sounding turntable. Since then I've bought a Model 20/2 and the 10 is the study turntable. When the mood strikes and my back feels up to it i swap the 2 turntables over and have the 10 in the main rig and feel I could live with it forever.
7 лет назад
Thanks for the adventure through the SME factory, the brand name many of us grown up with. it's really nice to see how my favorite tonearm is/was made. I appreciate my SME any more now. It's a legend within Hi-Fi in many, many years and gave us a lot of precious moments of listening music.
Worked there. Me and Jim doing degreasing and barreling. And Cameron Ackman nicking his dad's Porsche when the old boy was away for a few days - wrecked the gear box. Old Ackman had to drive to the factory in reverse. How Cameron never got tanned for it I'll never know
Interesting video. I visited SME in 1975 and purchased a tone arm from them as very few shops (esp those in the tottenham court road) had any in stock. Prior to that, I worked for a Toolmakers in Billingshurst that did some work for SME. Nice to see the place is still producing good stuff on what you might consider today as old machines. Hand finishing always costs.
I've been into HiFi since the mid 70's and for some daft reason thought SME were American. Now I discover their 90 miles up the road. Cheers Michael, great video.
Thanks for this Michael. I have a first generation Linn Sondek with the SME 3009 improved arm. I bought the Linn because of this arm as I find it a beautiful pieces of engineering and was just lucky that it woks well too. It’s been really enjoyable to learn about SME and without your video it wouldn’t have happened so I really appreciate your efforts. Grazias Amigo 🤙🏼. Should mention that even though my tone arm is probably 50 yrs old SME were still happy to help me with the setup!
No wonder the SME arms and turntables are so good. The precision and craftsmanship and attention to detail is fantastic. The amazing quality is intrinsic to every piece. I am surprised that they can produce their equipment at the prices they do. Brilliant.
I've just sent my 2003 SME 30/2a for a factory service to Brian Laker. Apparenty they replace the main platter bearing the platter, upgrade the power supply and overhaul the V arm.
I really enjoy the video, like the other one about Rega that was even more exciting because of more technical contenent given by the engineering team. You can really see the different approach between both company and can understand why SME turntables & arms are so expensive. It's evident that SME is a more traditional manufacture, the purists really will appreciate them. Anyway I would prefer a Rega approach that looks like more dynamic and technologically advanced, than we can't forget we are talking about half the price for the RP-10... what do you think. A big complain that I have about this historical HI-FI company in general is that this kind of information and video documentary like this are unavailable to the potential customers that are looking for a purchase decision, why they didn't put this information on their website? Why in 2017 we have to search/investigate for days/weeks like crazy over all internet for get this contenent and precious informations that are crucial for the image of the company? Do you think is normal that the most interesting videos/documents about the Rega RP-10 technologies are your "Rega factory tour",another interview with a Rega enginyer recorded during an Hi-FI show and a couple of article more? Why there is absolutely nothing on the manufacturers webs?
I like this kind of videos: to make top quality products, it takes a lot of time, effort, expertise and smart people at work. I don't like contemporary, 10 minutes videos on how to build an airplane.
Very interesting plant tour, by the way l like to know the price of SME 3010R tonearm include shipping in S'pore dollars.Thank you very much.Regards Raja
1:02:01 RUclips is full of videos of machinists working on these machines. None of these machines are primitive - for many machinists, these are state-of-the-art when it comes to manually operated machines with a proven pedigree of reliability vs. performance. Modern machines are programmable robots and are thus more efficient. They are not necessarily more precise or sturdier.
the cables is made by QED. I'm always getting copyright issues what says SME not available in your country one of them was to do with cork mat the one with the segments cut-out only restricted in the UK why I don't know is that Matt any good?
The tonearm cables are Van Den Hul 501 hybrid so I doubt they are made by QED. The mat on SME turntables is not and never has been cork. Early versions that were the mustard colour looked like cork if all you ever saw was a photograph but they are most definitely not.
The new Synergy design look like a toy and i hate it ! i want the SME 20/30 outstanding design , it's the coolest turntable there is, don't change it' please. i'll be reach some day and buy it, for me it's a life dream.
SME have given up on their long-time customers. Not selling the tonearms alone is a bad move. I own two SME arms and have zero interest in the turntables. RIP SME Another great company killed with corporate greed.
The Chief Inspector of SME pointed out that in the 1970s the company was producing 700 tonearms a week to keep up with demand but it took a big dip in the 1980s when the CD came along. Mike couldn't resist saying that was also a "big dip for sound quality". Well, maybe so. I have two turntables both with SME 3009 II tonearms and I wouldn't part with them. But the sound of a favorite symphonic work of mine reproduced on a digital CD put an end to my buying any more LP recordings with their many shortcomings. To those who deride digital audio recording: Do we want to give up our flatscreen tvs and digital HD video and return to our good old CRT analog television system? I think not. The system of audio reproduction by dragging a needle through a groove molded in plastic is but a refinement of the principles of audio reproduction of the early 20th century and has been replaced by a far superior system that provides nearly perfect audio reproduction.
Bruce Taylor obviously I disagree. Higher resolution digital is a big improvement. I still don’t like listening to CDs and prefer the vinyl version of analog recordings every time.
Bruce Taylor I once had a very well known and respected mastering engineer over who had just remastered the Peter Gabriel catalog for CD in the early CD days. He brought the CDs and I compared them for him with original British pressings and he was quickly embarrassed and it removed from his mind the ignorance and arrogance inherent in your comment. Digital technology has improved since then but records made from analog sources still sound far far better than the CD version and even the high resolution version. And hi Rez digital sources sound better on vinyl than on CD.
Bruce Taylor there’s greater high frequency extension on a record and no brick wall filtering and frankly you don’t know what you are talking about and what’s more it’s obvious you’ve never sat down for serious listen. You are butt talking
The main weak link is of course the vinyl record with all it's clicks and pops. I entered the high end stereo gadget collecting stuff back in the early 1960's eventually with a Empire table and SME arm with a Goldring cartridge, with a pretty good record collection. Then I experienced a massive shock by listening to my 1st CD, and all the clicks and pops were completely GONE! I'll never go back to vinyl distortion! Do an A-B test to find out for yourself.
Sticks & Stones may hurt my bones, at least you could be a gentleman and refrain from the name calling. Instead of believing all the hype you possibly do, I choose to go by what I hear. In my younger years I was a musician so I know the true sound of musical instruments and that never leaves you. To each his/her own, why after having invested so much into my vinyl playing equipment and vinyl collection, would I give it up for a new format? My ears changed my mind! Stay where your at, Enjoy.
Vinyl rips do not exist. You mean 'Vinyl Recording.' A live recording of the vinyl being played back. Just like recording television to DVD... Which is SOOO popular...
Thank you for making a long form video and not editing it down to 10 minutes like a lot of people would have done.
In an age of the disposal mentality, it is quite impressive to see the craftsmanship and a tradition of high standards still being held and practiced -- no shortcuts. Although many of us may not afford such precision in the financial environment to which we are assigned . . . it is still encouraging to know that such standards still exist and are being practiced. Great video of hard-working people, still passing down their knowledge and pride in a job well-done. I would hope that such quality will still be appreciated by future generations instead of the get-it-quick, fast, and cheap that so many have been brainwashed into accepting . . . and even demanding. There is something to be said for by-gone years when people took pride in their work, which reflected on them personally.
Thank you Michael. I think that's the longest video on You Tube I've ever watched from start to finish. I loved every minute of it.
I bought a Model 10 back around 2000 after reading your Stereophile review of it. It wasn't so much the review as it was the photo on the front cover of the magazine that appealed, it still is a superb looking and sounding turntable. Since then I've bought a Model 20/2 and the 10 is the study turntable. When the mood strikes and my back feels up to it i swap the 2 turntables over and have the 10 in the main rig and feel I could live with it forever.
Thanks for the adventure through the SME factory, the brand name many of us grown up with. it's really nice to see how my favorite tonearm is/was made. I appreciate my SME any more now. It's a legend within Hi-Fi in many, many years and gave us a lot of precious moments of listening music.
and this is why I love SME. I can't see I'll ever part with my V - it's 25 years old and still looks like new.
I love watching people who love what they are doing and care so much about what they make.
Everyone there used to but all about money now since being taken over
Worked there. Me and Jim doing degreasing and barreling. And Cameron Ackman nicking his dad's Porsche when the old boy was away for a few days - wrecked the gear box. Old Ackman had to drive to the factory in reverse. How Cameron never got tanned for it I'll never know
Interesting video. I visited SME in 1975 and purchased a tone arm from them as very few shops (esp those in the tottenham court road) had any in stock.
Prior to that, I worked for a Toolmakers in Billingshurst that did some work for SME.
Nice to see the place is still producing good stuff on what you might consider today as old machines. Hand finishing always costs.
I could watch this stuff all day, fascinating. Thank you very much.
When you see the huge amount of work involved in the manufacturing process you start to understand the prices of the items! Fascinating stuff.
I've been into HiFi since the mid 70's and for some daft reason thought SME were American. Now I discover their 90 miles up the road. Cheers Michael, great video.
Michael this is one of your best presentation to see the history of one of the great arm manufacturers.
Thanks for this Michael. I have a first generation Linn Sondek with the SME 3009 improved arm. I bought the Linn because of this arm as I find it a beautiful pieces of engineering and was just lucky that it woks well too. It’s been really enjoyable to learn about SME and without your video it wouldn’t have happened so I really appreciate your efforts. Grazias Amigo 🤙🏼.
Should mention that even though my tone arm is probably 50 yrs old SME were still happy to help me with the setup!
Thanks to Mike for filming and to SME for showing us around!
You've got to love a company that does as much as possible in house. Keep it up SME.
This is a great advert for SME. I'm thinking of buying one and this encouraged me to get one.
Manufacturing excellence, SME 3009 II has always been my favourite
Any company that has Wallace and Grommet on their wall, has to be pretty cool.
Brings back my time with ARA fifty years ago working with him on the steel frame for ELS. Good old England
No wonder the SME arms and turntables are so good. The precision and craftsmanship and attention to detail is fantastic. The amazing quality is intrinsic to every piece. I am surprised that they can produce their equipment at the prices they do. Brilliant.
Very nice tour Michael. Thanks for sharing.
Sme stands apart because of their attention to detail is amazing!
I just looked up there top of the range turntable and arm a snip at £45000.
SME looks like a really serious company. I'm impressed. I wonder how does SME tonearms perform compared to arms from companies like Rega or Linn?
Proof that Britain can still hold it's head up on the world stage along with Japan and Germany, i hope the USA gets it sense of pride back as well.
thanks for sharing michael enjoyed
I've just sent my 2003 SME 30/2a for a factory service to Brian Laker. Apparenty they replace the main platter bearing the platter, upgrade the power supply and overhaul the V arm.
Makes me very proud to own a Series V which I have iconoclastically mounted on my LP12...
I really enjoy the video, like the other one about Rega that was even more exciting because of more technical contenent given by the engineering team. You can really see the different approach between both company and can understand why SME turntables & arms are so expensive.
It's evident that SME is a more traditional manufacture, the purists really will appreciate them. Anyway I would prefer a Rega approach that looks like more dynamic and technologically advanced, than we can't forget we are talking about half the price for the RP-10... what do you think.
A big complain that I have about this historical HI-FI company in general is that this kind of information and video documentary like this are unavailable to the potential customers that are looking for a purchase decision, why they didn't put this information on their website? Why in 2017 we have to search/investigate for days/weeks like crazy over all internet for get this contenent and precious informations that are crucial for the image of the company?
Do you think is normal that the most interesting videos/documents about the Rega RP-10 technologies are your "Rega factory tour",another interview with a Rega enginyer recorded during an Hi-FI show and a couple of article more? Why there is absolutely nothing on the manufacturers webs?
Wow these guys are putting the Rega shop to shame.
Had a mk4 arm once with Not For Sale stamped in the base 😳
I like this kind of videos: to make top quality products, it takes a lot of time, effort, expertise and smart people at work. I don't like contemporary, 10 minutes videos on how to build an airplane.
Awesome 😎. Just bought a 30/2
Very interesting plant tour, by the way l like to know the price of SME 3010R tonearm include shipping in S'pore dollars.Thank you very much.Regards Raja
It is good to know who and how are my SME 2/9 made :) thank you!
si alemania soy testigoo del disco como lo hicieron sigan adelante
1:02:01 RUclips is full of videos of machinists working on these machines. None of these machines are primitive - for many machinists, these are state-of-the-art when it comes to manually operated machines with a proven pedigree of reliability vs. performance. Modern machines are programmable robots and are thus more efficient. They are not necessarily more precise or sturdier.
the cables is made by QED. I'm always getting copyright issues what says SME not available in your country one of them was to do with cork mat the one with the segments cut-out only restricted in the UK why I don't know is that Matt any good?
The tonearm cables are Van Den Hul 501 hybrid so I doubt they are made by QED. The mat on SME turntables is not and never has been cork. Early versions that were the mustard colour looked like cork if all you ever saw was a photograph but they are most definitely not.
Fantastic!
records!!! more new records!!!!!
The new Synergy design look like a toy and i hate it ! i want the SME 20/30 outstanding design , it's the coolest turntable there is, don't change it' please. i'll be reach some day and buy it, for me it's a life dream.
SME have given up on their long-time customers. Not selling the tonearms alone is a bad move. I own two SME arms and have zero interest in the turntables. RIP SME Another great company killed with corporate greed.
listening room? can't believe you did not go!
The dislikes are from the Kuzma, and VPI frat boys
The Chief Inspector of SME pointed out that in the 1970s the company was producing 700 tonearms a week to keep up with demand but it took a big dip in the 1980s when the CD came along. Mike couldn't resist saying that was also a "big dip for sound quality". Well, maybe so. I have two turntables both with SME 3009 II tonearms and I wouldn't part with them. But the sound of a favorite symphonic work of mine reproduced on a digital CD put an end to my buying any more LP recordings with their many shortcomings. To those who deride digital audio recording: Do we want to give up our flatscreen tvs and digital HD video and return to our good old CRT analog television system? I think not. The system of audio reproduction by dragging a needle through a groove molded in plastic is but a refinement of the principles of audio reproduction of the early 20th century and has been replaced by a far superior system that provides nearly perfect audio reproduction.
Bruce Taylor obviously I disagree. Higher resolution digital is a big improvement. I still don’t like listening to CDs and prefer the vinyl version of analog recordings every time.
A 3009 is hardly high end - if you'd listened with an SME V you might have a different opinion.
I would put a well-mastered CD in a $150 player ahead of any analog playback costing $5,000 or $10,000. An LP simply doesn't contain comparable data.
Bruce Taylor I once had a very well known and respected mastering engineer over who had just remastered the Peter Gabriel catalog for CD in the early CD days. He brought the CDs and I compared them for him with original British pressings and he was quickly embarrassed and it removed from his mind the ignorance and arrogance inherent in your comment. Digital technology has improved since then but records made from analog sources still sound far far better than the CD version and even the high resolution version. And hi Rez digital sources sound better on vinyl than on CD.
Bruce Taylor there’s greater high frequency extension on a record and no brick wall filtering and frankly you don’t know what you are talking about and what’s more it’s obvious you’ve never sat down for serious listen. You are butt talking
Mr Fermer you need to binge watch some "How it's made" :)
Needle and cartridge optional extra
Bless they appointed someone who thought he could run a company but had no interest in music 😂
Everything here is made in house except the phono wires and electronic boards etc; etc, etc. 25k please!!!!!
There come a day when S.M.E will out price themselves & nobody can afford there products any more
al ingles nole entiendo moucho pero ala guitarra si
I own a 309.
asi como presentaste el plano patentala
si ing que vean para que vean alo que le tiran
machine shop )
The main weak link is of course the vinyl record with all it's clicks and pops. I entered the high end stereo gadget collecting stuff back in the early 1960's eventually with a Empire table and SME arm with a Goldring cartridge, with a pretty good record collection. Then I experienced a massive shock by listening to my 1st CD, and all the clicks and pops were completely GONE! I'll never go back to vinyl distortion! Do an A-B test to find out for yourself.
Sticks & Stones may hurt my bones, at least you could be a gentleman and refrain from the name calling. Instead of believing all the hype you possibly do, I choose to go by what I hear. In my younger years I was a musician so I know the true sound of musical instruments and that never leaves you. To each his/her own, why after having invested so much into my vinyl playing equipment and vinyl collection, would I give it up for a new format? My ears changed my mind! Stay where your at, Enjoy.
Vinyl rips do not exist.
You mean 'Vinyl Recording.'
A live recording of the vinyl being played back.
Just like recording television to DVD... Which is SOOO popular...
Analog Planet if you play a vinyl into an a/d converter you are recording!!! Same as if you do it with a guitar... Obvious stuff here..
Analog Planet Ripping (short for 'ripping data' and recording are completely different things. You are obviously WRONG! And also a CHILD.
Touchy, Touchy, nasty words don't hurt me. So sensitive about a old school material gadget.
Quality has dropped over last 5 years
B O R I N G !!! - NOT :P
Y O U D I D N O T G E T T H E J O K E :p :p :p