Michael Fremer visits SME

if you guys are interested in seeing how one of the world's great tonearm and turntable companies manufacture their pickup arms and tables, check out this imprsssive video with Michael Fremer visiting SME, in Steyning, UK. By year's end SME's production will be 50% products for audio and 50% for Formula 1/aerospace.

SME also makes OEM parts for Linn and other companies.

Needless to say, their core competencies, level of design and engineering execution they put into making their tonearms, etc., are....impressive.

A bit long at over an hour, but still worth a look.

 

Fremmer seems very naive about manufacturing, especially the good, old-fashioned engineering part of it. But hey, I didn't watch it to listen to him.

Fascinating. Thank you

 

I agree, Fremer is pretty clueless about real engineering; that is the transformation of functionality into an actual design embodiment.

Fortunately, the guys at SME know exactly what they are doing, and more importantly, WHY. Impresive core competencies. I own an SME V arm, and when you assemble and set it up, the degree and quality of engineering thought put into it is very evident. Their background into engineering for Formula 1 and aerospace applications is very evident. The other thing that is impressive is the consistency of their quality. This, to my mind, is what separates SME from other arm companies like Graham, whom I've heard have had major product quality consistency issues. SME doesn't mess around. They are like the McLaren Project Four of tonearm and 'table engineering. The other tonearm company that is comparable to SME is Rega. I think it's because both companies were founded by very talented and gifted mechancial engineers who happen to make products for audio.

 

I'm no fan of Fremer or his brand of audiophoolery, and now I am even less of one. That doesn't matter: from CNC to surface grinder, the tour was fantastic. Actually, some of hand-finishing and polishing was amongst the most impressive stuff. I've never been able to be in the market for expensive turntables, but I can see now some justification for the prices.

The machines that he thinks are primitive are used by skilled guys to do sub-thousands-tolerance work. Surface grinders, I suppose, tenths of thousands (inches). I'm not a machinist, although I've worked (over forty years ago) in places that did have that stuff. Always admired the skills: now I enjoy watching on youtube!