M2-12R

About the M2-12R

The SME M2-12R is a meticulously engineered 12-inch precision tonearm designed to offer optimal cartridge choice with minimal tracking error and harmonic distortion. It features a traditional J-shaped tonearm with a detachable S2-R aluminium headshell that allows azimuth adjustment. The arm incorporates a two-stage tungsten counterbalance system housed in satin chromed brass sleeves, height adjustment via a thumbwheel, and superb quality ball race bearings. Constructed from thin-walled stainless steel, the arm benefits from reduced maximum tracking error compared to 9-inch models. It includes a double draw-in pin bayonet fitting for a rigid junction, stainless steel cross and vertical shafts with precision ball races, and a heat-treated steel pillar to resist tilt. Internal wiring is silver Litz, and the arm has an anti-skate control adjustable up to 5g vertical tracking force (VTF). The bedplate allows +/- 12mm horizontal tracking angle adjustment with a double null-point protractor. Tungsten-alloy balance weight inserts enable balancing cartridges up to 38g in the S2-R headshell and up to 46g with direct plug-in heads. The arm weighs approximately 834g net and comes with a 1.2m balanced hybrid cable with gold-plated phono plugs. It is designed to suit all types of cartridges, including vintage-style SPU phono cartridges, and offers precise vertical tracking force application in 0.5g increments.