AVID Volvere SP vs SME Model 6
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: AVID Volvere SP · SME Model 6.
| Specification | AVID Volvere SP |
SME Model 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,500 | $5,500 (used) |
| Category | High-end | High-end |
| Status | current | discontinued |
| Years | 2011–present | 2020–? |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | sold bare | sold bare |
| Phono stage | No | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | aluminium, sprung sub-chassis | aluminium |
| Tonearm | sold bare | SME M2-9 |
| Wow & flutter | — | — |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.
The SME Model 6 is discontinued, so that side of this comparison is really "used SME Model 6 vs new AVID Volvere SP" — factor in condition, service history and the lack of a warranty against a fresh unit with manufacturer support.
Bottom line: $0 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for AVID Volvere SP…
Retailer searches
4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Center | music retail | Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. | View at Guitar Center ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at Reverb ↗ |
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | View at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |