Technics has today announced the specifications for the new non-limited edition Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1200G, which 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.
By combining the knowledge and expertise gained as the originator of direct-drive turntable systems Technics claims to have developed a coreless direct-drive motor with which ‘cogging’, the Achilles heel of direct drive systems, 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. It 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. A twin rotator construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining high torque and also limits minute vibration during rotation. The turntable has a three-layered construction consisting of a heavyweight brass and aluminum die cast platter with rubber damping covering its entire rear surface.
“High Dampening Tonearm”
The tonearm is made of cold drawn magnesium 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 in a “cut-processed” housing.
Plinth
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 SL1200G will have an RRP of £2,799.
Specification
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
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
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