Technics Reveals Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1200G Specifications

Technics has today announced the specifications for the new non-limited edition Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1200G, developed for audiophiles looking to rediscover and experience the uniquely warm sound quality of analogue vinyl discs.

The SL-1200G will be available to buy in Autumn 2016 for those not fortunate enough to have purchased one of the only 900 limited edition SL-1200GAE turntables available outside of Japan. The 300 limited edition samples available for the Japanese market sold out in just half an hour.  

The Vinyl Revival

Due to the widespread use of CDs, turntable systems have been absent as major competitors in the audio market, however an ever increasing consumer interest in vinyl records has prompted the launch of a new system for HiFi use.

Overcoming Analogue Issues of the Past

In conventional analogue turntables sound quality was degraded by tiny vibrations of the motor and rotational speed fluctuations, known as ‘cogging’. However, by combining the knowledge and expertise gained as the originator of direct-drive turntable systems with a newly developed coreless direct-drive motor without iron core, this ‘cogging’ can be eliminated.  Any potential minute motor vibrations are suppressed even further by high-precision rotary positioning sensors guided by a microprocessor controlled system; a feature unique to the new Technics turntable.

The Technics turntable aims to provide the smoothest possible rotary control by the use of an encoder at the bottom of the motor which detects the precise rotating angle. 

Furthermore, a twin rotator construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining high torque and also limits minute vibration during rotation making it possible to reproduce the warm sound and subtle nuances of musical expression engraved in the analogue record grooves and craved for by vinyl lovers.

Broadcast Industry Beating Three-layered Turntable

The turntable has a three-layered construction consisting of a rigidly combined heavyweight brass and aluminum die cast platter, and deadening rubber covering its entire rear surface.  This eliminates unnecessary resonance, achieving high rigidity and vibration damping. The smooth rotational stability and inertial mass even surpasses the Technics SP-10MK2, the direct-drive turntable standard used in the past by broadcast stations worldwide.

High Dampening Tonearm

The tonearm employs a lightweight material (magnesium) which has been cold drawn to improve the characteristics of the material and increase the dampening effect.  

In addition, high initial-motion sensitivity is attained by employing the traditional Technics gimbal suspension construction with the horizontal rotation axis and the vertical rotation axis intersecting at a single central point, as well as high-precision bearings using a cut-processed housing.

Four-layered Cabinet Construction

A hairline-processed, 10-mm-thick top panel of immaculate aluminum has been added to the previous three-layered construction of aluminum die cast, Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC) and heavyweight-class rubber of the SL-1200MK5. This four-layered construction combines high rigidity with a premium finish and feel.

Grand Class SL1200G Specification and Availability

The SL-1200G will be available to buy in Autumn 2016.

All new design for Redefining the Direct Drive Turntable

• Twin-Rotor Surface-Facing Direct Drive motor 

• Direct Drive Motor Controller

• High Sensitive Tonearm

• Brass-Top Turntable  Platter

• Insulator

Technics Definitive Design

• Inherited design from the SL-1200 series

• Heavy Aluminum Top Plate

Turntable Section

Type: Direct Drive Manual Turntable

Turntable Speeds: 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm, 78 rpm

Variable Range Pitch: ±8%, ±16%

Wow and Flutter: 0.025%　W.R.M.S. (JIS C5521)

Rumble: 78dB　(IEC 98A Weighted)

Turntable Platter : Weight: Approx. 3.6kg (Including rubber sheet)

Tonearm Section

Type: Universal, Static Balance

Overhang: 15mm

Arm Height Adjustment Range: 0-6mm

Applicable Cartridge Weight Range:

Without auxiliary weight 5.6 - 12.0g 

14.3 - 20.7g (including headshell)

With small auxiliary weight

10.0 - 16.4g

18.7 - 25.1g (including headshell)

With large auxiliary weight

14.3 - 19.8g

23.0 - 28.5g (including headshell)

General

Terminal: Phono Output x 1 / SIGNAL GND x 1

Power Supply: AC110-240 V, 50 Hz / 60 Hz

Power Consumption: 14 W / Approx. 0.2W (Standby)

Dimensions: W: 453 mm H: 173 mm D: 372 mm (Height including dust cover)

Weight: Approx. 18kg

– ENDS –

For more information please see: technics.com, or follow technics.global on Facebook or @technics on Twitter.