AXPONA 2025

If there’s one product category I want to see in droves at AXPONA, it’s gotta be turntables. Luckily, I got an early look at a cool new table before heading off to the airport today, and since I promised to post a few new gear previews before touching ground at the big show, here’s the next one — namely, SME’s new Model 8 turntable.

SME and their team at Monarch System Ltd. have let us know that, besides the Model 8 table you’re seeing here, they’re also launching their Model 35 turntable with the new Series Vi tonearm at the show. We’ve also been informed that their aforementioned North American distributor Monarch Systems will be showing both tables in listening Room 434 at AXPONA, which officially kicks off tomorrow, Friday, April 11.

Building on the legacy of the SME Model 6, the Model 8 features a 40% increase in mass, which is said to offer improved stability and resonance control. The table’s platter has increased thickness, while the accompanying Speed Control Unit (as shown next to the table above) purports to provide precision and consistency, and it is derived from the advanced Model 60 technology.

Other features of the Model 8 table include the SME Series 309 magnesium tonearm that features a removable headshell, advanced adjustable feet, refined mounting boards to minimize unwanted vibrations between the tonearm and plinth, revamped output connections, and gold-plated WBT RCA sockets.

Finally, the SRP for the SME Model 8 turntable — which is available in White, Midnight Blue, and SME Black — with the Series 309 tonearm is £9,999, including VAT.

Meanwhile, the SME Model 35 table with the Series Vi tonearm (photos of which were not available to us to share as of this posting) has an SRP of £35,999 for the Standard Finish (Black or Silver Anodized), while the Special Finish (Midnight or Gunmetal Anodized) version goes for £37,999. Both of those SRPs also include the VAT.

And that’s all I’ve got for new gear previews, at least for the moment. I’m heading off to the airport soon, so I hope to see y’all at the show!

Read our AXPONA FAQ/primer here.

For more information about the show, please visit axpona.com.