SME Limited is a Business Reporter client
Hi-Fi audio represents the pinnacle of contemporary home audio equipment. It is designed for audiophiles who demand exceptional quality, both in build and sound. Often distinguished by their high price and innovative technologies, these products promise an exceptional listening experience.
The road to high fidelity sound began in the 1930s and 1940s, an era marked by revolutionary advances in recording techniques, the development of sophisticated tape recorders, and the creation of superior turntables designed for quality playback. High fidelity sound is the closest thing to listening to live musicians, and the pursuit of the perfect sound experience has become a favorite pastime for many enthusiasts.
Music influences life. It alters emotions. It is a form of entertainment. It was one of the earliest forms of communication. It can be studied and appreciated. Its uses extend to therapy, philosophy, and religion. That is why being able to capture and reproduce music, in its purest form, is an essential part of modern life.
In the hi-fi sector, some brands have stayed true to their DNA and continue to develop their hi-fi products in one place. Scale Model Equipment Company, or SME, is one of them. Located in Steyning, England, and founded by visionary Alastair Robertson-Aikman in 1946.
Robertson-Aikman began by producing elite precision models for the display and model sectors. In 1950 the company expanded into subcontract engineering, producing precision aircraft parts for prestigious companies such as Rolls-Royce, Hawker Aircraft and Martin-Baker.
In 1959, Robertson-Aikman designed a tone arm, or what we call a tone arm today, for his hi-fi system. After showing his friends the prototype, he was encouraged to produce it commercially. The component was received with such enthusiasm that a new factory was built to meet demand and the company name was changed to SME Limited to accommodate the new developments and branding.
Fast forward to today, and SME maintains its position as a leading turntable manufacturer worldwide, with an exceptional commitment to in-house engineering and strict standards in its tooling manufacturing processes. It offers a line of turntables that range from high-end off-the-shelf solutions to more complex suspended designs. SME products are manufactured from high-mass materials, created from solid-cut premium aluminum billets or an advanced polymeric resin.
In SME's high-end series, the suspension system provides ultimate resonance control and houses the main bearing, platter and tonearm. SME-designed tonearms are unlike any other on the market, which is why, even after six decades, they are among the most sought-after tonearms today.
SME uses magnesium in these designs as a one-piece, die-cast tonearm. The restrained inner layer dampens residual vibration, leaving the tonearm acoustically inert. Between the arm tube and the bearing tolerances that hold it all together, you can achieve complete stability with your vinyl playback.
SME turntables are synonymous with audio purity. They allow listeners to immerse themselves in the true essence of vinyl recordings, as originally intended by the artists. Every element of the turntable can be precisely adjusted to your tastes and equipment needs.
From company integrity to in-depth, hands-on development to extensive material testing, SME ensures the delivery of impeccably refined audio products that are a testament to its legacy and expertise in the field.
It is common for consumers to be influenced by marketing and sales strategies to purchase premium audio equipment that may not be built to industry standards or deliver the level of sound quality that is advertised.
SME stands out as a turntable manufacturer that employs genuine in-house engineering and adheres to strict standards. This unique capability allows the company to expertly handle and rigorously test materials to precisely refine its products.
There has been no compromise since 1946.
For more information, please visit sme.co.uk.
