At the 2026 Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show, Richcoln’s S427 meeting room featured a meticulously curated top‑tier music demonstration system. From the flagship lineup of legendary British turntable brand SME to the super‑system combining Swiss CH Precision and German Burmester, the room drew countless audiophiles over the three‑day show, creating a bustling atmosphere and making it one of the most talked‑about highlights of this year’s exhibition.

SME Lineup Meets the Needs of Diverse Vinyl Enthusiasts
Inside the room, the British turntable specialist SME showcased its complete top‑of‑the‑range lineup, with each model representing a different level of precision engineering excellence. The flagship Model 60 was displayed in all its craftsmanship glory – a turntable hailed as the most technologically advanced in SME’s history, embodying the brand’s 75 years of engineering heritage. The Model 60 features belt drive, a platter bearing with a hydraulic damping system, and SME’s proprietary two‑phase AC synchronous motor system with DSP‑controlled speed accuracy, allowing seamless switching between 33.3 and 45 rpm with a speed deviation of only 0.005%. Its noise floor reaches as low as ‑76.5dB, making it an exceptionally quiet turntable. As a flagship, the Model 60 is inevitably a heavyweight design – the dual‑layer platter weighs 48kg, the separate speed control unit 2kg, and the external power supply 4.2kg. The Model 60 is equipped with the new high‑end Series VA tonearm, whose wand is CNC‑machined from a high‑density, high‑rigidity special polymer resin, utilising the wand’s inherent acoustic inertness to significantly reduce resonance. Internal wiring uses custom‑made 0.1mm Mono X‑Tal single‑crystal silver wire from Dutch brand Crystal Cable. Finishes include brushed anodised black and silver, a honeycomb version (available in black, blue, and silver), and a diamond edition celebrating SME’s 75th anniversary.

The second‑flagship Model 35 is SME’s newest model, evolved from the original 1991 Model 30 flagship. It abandons the previous four‑corner spring suspension in favour of a cleaner three‑pillar suspension design with new damping feet; within each pillar is SME’s proprietary inverted suspension system, effectively absorbing both vertical and horizontal vibrations. The central bearing incorporates a hydraulic damping system to significantly enhance rotational stability. Speed control is inherited from the flagship Model 60’s advanced electronic control unit. The Model 35 comes standard with the newly developed Series Vi precision tonearm – the “i” denoting “improved” – with a wand CNC‑machined from high‑density polymer resin, offering extremely high acoustic inertness and very low resonance. Internal wiring is by Crystal Cable. The Model 35 has a total mass of 38kg and is available in four anodised finishes: black, silver, midnight blue, and gunmetal grey.

The Model 12 MK2 is a high‑precision turntable built to exacting engineering standards. Its chassis and sub‑chassis are both CNC‑machined from top‑grade aluminium billet. The sub‑chassis is suspended on an advanced isolation system to control resonance. The platter is machined from aluminium alloy and weighs over 4.6kg. The main spindle is precision‑ground from high‑chromium tool steel, 19mm in diameter, and is ground and super‑polished. The motor is a custom two‑phase AC synchronous type controlled by a sophisticated speed‑control unit. The Model 12 MK2 is fitted with the highly regarded SME Vi tonearm and internal Crystal Cable wiring, available in black, dark grey, and dark blue finishes.

The Model 8 is SME’s entry‑level turntable, introduced to replace the Model 6. It features a high‑density polymer resin base, with an overall mass 40% higher than the Model 6. The platter is significantly thicker, weighing approximately 1.8kg. The AC motor is derived from the unit used in the flagship Model 60. Four adjustable spikes allow easy levelling. The Model 8 is equipped with SME’s renowned 309 magnesium‑alloy tonearm, internal Crystal Cable wiring, and is available in traditional SME black, white, and midnight blue finishes.

The music demonstration system in S427 was Richcoln’s most talked‑about audio combination this year, and at its analogue heart was the new SME Model 35 turntable. The Model 35 was paired with the CH Precision P1 phono stage from the Swiss high‑end brand for live demonstrations. The P1 features a dual‑mono pure Class‑A amplification topology, offering two dedicated MC current inputs and one MM/MC voltage input, providing optimal matching and signal amplification for various cartridge types. Its outstanding signal‑to‑noise ratio and transparent, natural tonal reproduction ensure the highest quality retrieval of vinyl signals.

The Model 35 delivered astonishingly realistic vinyl playback. Hailed as a masterpiece “standing on the shoulders of giants,” it successfully distils the gravitas, weight, and stability of the flagship Model 60 into a more elegant and proportioned whole. Sonically, the Model 35 offers world‑class detail retrieval, rock‑solid speed stability, and a gloriously stable and believable soundstage. Its bass performance is particularly remarkable – “the bass is almost endlessly deep, yet tight, rhythmic and insightful”; its dynamic range and effortlessness “make many other turntables sound pedestrian by comparison.”

The key to the Model 35’s exceptional performance lies in its extreme vibration‑isolation and damping design. The three‑pillar suspension with inverted suspension technology provides isolation against both vertical and horizontal vibrations; the hydraulic damping in the main bearing ensures smooth and precise rotation. With the proprietary Isodamp damping material, the Model 35 allows listeners to hear the faintest triangle, the softest applause, or even the creak of a chair in the recording. As Hi‑Fi News commented: “Many good turntables make you feel you are listening to an excellent reproduction of a double bass; the Model 35 may make you feel you are listening to a double bass” – this leap from “reproduction” to “reality” perfectly encapsulates the magic of the Model 35’s vinyl replay.

Three Daily Demonstration Sessions – Packed to Capacity
This ultimate system, combining British precision turntable craftsmanship, Swiss electronic precision, and the legendary German sound, hosted three daily music demonstration sessions throughout the show. In each session, the warm analogue charm and astonishing detail retrieval of the Model 35, channelled through the pure amplification of the CH Precision P1 and the majestic power of the Burmester system, transported listeners to the front row of a concert hall. Over the three days, the S427 room was packed to capacity for every session, with many audiophiles arriving early to secure the best seats. After each session, enthusiastic exchanges and discussions filled the room, with attendees praising the system’s extraordinary musical realism and emotional engagement.

Richcoln’s S427 room successfully staged a perfect confluence of high‑end audio craftsmanship – from the static displays of the SME Model 60 flagship, Model 12 MK2, and Model 8, to the ultimate vinyl replay of the Model 35 with the CH Precision P1 phono stage, and finally to the awe‑inspiring power of the Burmester 077 preamplifier and 909 MK5 monoblocks driving the BC150 loudspeakers. Every link in the chain embodied the relentless pursuit of musical truth by these premier audio brands. For those who experienced it firsthand, the emotional resonance of this sonic盛宴 will surely linger long in their hearts.