Excerpted from “Audio Art”

In my journey with vinyl, the British brand SME has always held a special significance for me, as the very first tonearm I used was the SME 3010R. I have to say, if I had chosen a different, more budget-friendly entry-level tonearm back then instead of the 3010R, my vinyl path might have ended fairly quickly. Fortunately, I chose the 3010R, which allowed me to truly appreciate the beauty of vinyl sound. Moreover, because every joint and part of the 3010R is adjustable, I was able to learn a great deal about the intricacies of vinyl system setup through the adjustment process.

A Simplified Version of the Classic SME V
Let’s focus back on the main subject of this article, the Model 8 turntable. I’ve talked so much about the SME V earlier, with the purpose of introducing the 309 tonearm that comes with the Model 8. This tonearm is a simplified version of the SME V and represents the most affordable way to get closest to an SME V. If you want to purchase it separately, Taiwanese distributor TAI HI FI still has stock. However, if the budget allows, I would recommend directly purchasing the complete combination of the 309 with the Model 8. This represents SME’s optimal factory setup and is the ideal solution to let the 309 tonearm fully realize its potential. You won’t need to worry about matching different arms and tables; just buy a cartridge, and you can fully enjoy the beautiful, nuanced sound of vinyl reproduction.

Detachable Headshell, Adjustable Azimuth
The difference between the 309 and the SME V is that the SME V features a one-piece integrated arm pipe and headshell, whereas the 309 has a detachable headshell design. Why did SME make the V a one-piece design? So that the arm’s resonances can be transmitted unobstructed through the arm pipe down to the arm base and dissipate. However, the detachable headshell of the 309 also has its advantages. Firstly, it makes mounting the cartridge much easier. Secondly, it allows for azimuth adjustment by rotating the headshell. If you regularly follow the column “The Philosophy, Science, and Non-Science of Audio” by our editor Dr. Tsai Bing-Rong, you’ll know that correctly adjusting the cartridge’s azimuth has a significant impact on vinyl playback. The one minor drawback of the SME V is its inability to adjust azimuth; conversely, the 309’s adjustability becomes a key advantage.

Special Material, Low-Resonance Base
Looking at the Model 8 turntable itself, its construction is similar to the Model 6 I introduced in issue 439. It can be seen as a weightier, reinforced version of the Model 6, with the overall weight increased by 40% compared to its predecessor. Both the base and the platter are noticeably thicker than those on the Model 6. The most distinctive feature is its base, which is crafted from high-density resin polymer. Remarkably, it is precision CNC-machined from a single solid block of this material. This material is originally used in the aerospace and racing industries; it possesses extremely high density and superb damping characteristics. A gentle tap reveals that the resonance is exceptionally minimal. Within SME’s turntable range, while the higher-end models use aluminum alloy bases, currently only the Model 8 and Model 6 utilize this special resin polymer material. However, I believe this polymer is actually an excellent material for constructing turntable bases, with characteristics that are in no way inferior to aluminum alloy.

POM Platter
The Model 8’s platter is made from POM (polyoxymethylene), which offers better stability and durability compared to common acrylic platters. The material properties of POM are quite similar to those of vinyl records, allowing it to more quickly conduct and dissipate the micro-vibrations generated by the stylus tracking the groove. Pay attention to the precisely machined concentric rings on the platter’s surface. These not only increase friction for better record grip but also help reduce resonance interference. Because of this design, the Model 8 does not require an additional slip mat; direct contact between the vinyl and the platter surface provides the most effective resonance dissipation.

Stable Structure, Clear Layering for Large Orchestras
During the listening session, our manager Chen played the “Last of the Mohicans” soundtrack on vinyl. I noticed that even with large-scale, dynamic passages, the overall musical structure presented by the Model 8 remained remarkably stable and clear. I also observed that although the Lucera speakers were positioned relatively close to the rear wall, the soundstage still exhibited excellent depth and layering…

Full Vocals, Excellent Midrange Resolution
Listening next to singer Adele’s album “25,” known for testing vinyl playback with her thick, powerful voice. The Model 8 faithfully rendered Adele’s robust vocal energy, yet the midrange remained neither bloated, muddy, nor congested. The performance was effortless, smooth, and natural, even clearly revealing reverberation details present in the recording. This demonstrates the Model 8 system’s exceptionally high midrange resolution and its ability to clearly reproduce subtle nuances within the recording.

Fully Unleashed Dynamics
Listening to DG’s recently released “The Lost Tapes” by Richter. Before acquiring this vinyl, I had only ever listened to it via streaming. Playing it on the Model 8, I realized just how much better the vinyl was – both in terms of the direct power of forte keystrokes and the subtle dynamic shifts in pianissimo passages. The key, of course, is the Model 8 system’s superior ability to extract musical details and dynamics from the vinyl grooves, allowing me to hear the precious live nuances of the master pianist hidden within this recording.

This listening session, in a way, fulfilled a part of my old dreams. Although the tonearm paired with the Model 8 isn’t my dream SME V, the simplified 309 is already exceptionally perfect. Its structure isn’t complex, but every design element is the result of careful consideration. Whether it’s the rationality of the mechanical structure or the precision of its manufacturing, it is impeccable…