SME Model 12 vs Vertere MG-1 MkII
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: SME Model 12 · Vertere MG-1 MkII.
| Specification | SME Model 12 |
Vertere MG-1 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15,599 | Highlighted difference. $13,495 |
| Category | High-end | High-end |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2015–present | 2018–present |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | Highlighted difference. 33/45/78 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | sold bare | sold bare |
| Phono stage | No | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | aluminium, damped | aluminium/acrylic |
| Tonearm | SME 309 / M2-12 | Vertere SG-1 (option) |
| 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.
The Vertere MG-1 MkII undercuts the SME Model 12 by $2,104 — $13,495 against $15,599.
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.
Bottom line: $2,104 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 SME Model 12…
Retailer searches
1 US retailer stock SME — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Vertere MG-1 MkII…