As promised, Technics announced the return of its direct-drive turntable based on a newly designed direct-drive motor. The Technics 50th anniversary limited edition Grand Class SL-1200GAE and non-limited Grand Class SL-1200G have been developed for a new generation looking to rediscover and experience the sound quality of analogue vinyl discs.
As previously announced at the IFA 2015 show in Berlin, Panasonic’s audio division unveiled the new-generation Technics SL-1200G turntable, capitalizing on the so-called “Vinyl Revival” phenomena and increasing consumer interest in vinyl records.
As Technics explains, “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.”
The new Grand Class SL-1200G 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 (aluminum for the SL-1200G and magnesium for the limited edition SL-1200GAE) 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.
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.
The Technics 50th anniversary limited edition Grand Class SL-1200GAE will be available only in the summer with a limited serial number plate and restricted global quantity of 1,200 pieces, while the Grand Class SL-1200G will be available only at the end of 2016.
www.technics.com
