Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Technics’ New SL-1200GR2 Turntable Features Its Next Generation Direct Drive System

This new SL-1200GR2 features a new drive control technique for smooth, accurate rotational stability and a new power supply for an exceptionally low noise floor.

Technics SL-1210GR2 (black) and SL-1200GR2 (silver) Turntables

The turntable category continues to be a source of strong sales for Technics and strong motivator in regard to development of future models. The new SL-1200GR2 and SL-1210GR2 will not be available until December, but we expect these to sell out like their predecessors.

Released originally in 1972, the SL-1200 featured a direct drive, high-torque motor, and has been used by millions across the globe to spin records, scratch, and DJ live music for almost 5 decades.

Technics has updated the SL-1200 more than a few times over the past decade including the SL-1200MK7PS and other variations.

That table featured the same direct-drive motor of the SL-1500C which was designed to avoid issues such as clogging and speed control, plus a version of the company’s long-running S-shaped aluminum tonearm.

Do the new iterations feature mere cosmetic changes or has something really changed under the hood?

Technics SL-1200GR2 Turntable Silver
Technics SL-1200GR2

SL-1200GR2

Technics has introduced the SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2, the next generation of the brand’s Direct-Drive Turntable System. This new model features a new drive control technique for smooth, accurate rotational stability and a new power supply for an exceptionally low noise floor.

The new models do not come equipped with a phono cartridge.

Interestingly, Technics looked at how they have improved signal precision in their digital audio components, especially the reference amplifier SU-R1000, which optimizes vinyl analogue signals using complex digital technology. The goal was to advance their direct drive technology and integrate it into a new generation of turntables.

How did they do it?

This was achieved by reducing motor vibration through optimising the driving sine waves via the PWM signal generation using ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) Modulation, as employed in their full-digital amplifiers.

The motor control signal for the new SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 is a huge leap in performance in comparison with earlier versions. Looking back to the 1970s, the motor control sine wave signal was generated by an analogue RF oscillator, the precision of which left room for smoother rotation.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

After the revival of the Technics SL-1200 turntable in 2016, the new SL-1200GAE – along with the much-improved motor by an iron-coreless stator – inherited a new motor control based on PWM for D/A conversion, using a micro controller including a sine-wave ROM.

This added remarkable impact on the whole rotational precision and helped achieving lower motor vibrations. However, despite this approach, the sine wave for motor control was still not 100% accurate.

Along with the motor control, the general power supply has also been the focus of engineering.

Technics SL-1210GR2 Turntable Black
Technics SL-1210GR2

The new Multi-stage Silent Power Supply of the SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 is a combination of a low-noise, high-speed power supply working at over 100kHz and a noise canceling circuit inherited from our reference class turntable SL-1000R, cancelling remaining noise by injecting the reversed-phase current of the actual noise.

By this method, a very low noise floor is achieved, enabling improved signal-to-noise ratio, improving the overall signal performance.

Most of the mechanical design of the new GR2 type has been retained from its predecessor: Kept were the rather inert 2-layered bottom chassis made of aluminum and BMC (Bulk Moulding Compound), the combination of which enables high resistance against vibrations, the 2-layered platter made of aluminum and dampened by heavy-weight rubber, the high-sensitivity S-shaped aluminum tonearm and the effective insulator feet.

The newly upgraded turntable is equipped with standout audio and design features, including:   

  • A new Delta-Sigma-Drive and a highly reliable, coreless direct-drive motor for higher accuracy and improved electromagnetic conversion accuracy, ensuring every listening experience is seamless. 
  • Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply, which combines a low-noise, high-speed switching circuit for improved audio performance.
  • The carefully refined, but classic Technics design, which offers color coordination and matching components on all elements, for a sleek exterior.
  • The newly added, 3 mm die-cast aluminum cartridge spacers to ensure greater cartridge compatibility.

Price & Availability

The Technics Direct-Drive Turntable System SL-1200GR2 (silver) and SL-1210GR2 (black) will be available at authorized Technics retailers in December 2023 for $2,199.99

For more information: technics.com

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. ORT

    September 8, 2023 at 4:08 pm

    I myself own a Technics SL-QD33 fully *GASP* fraughtomatic turntable. Direct Drive and little ol’ handicapable me does not have to rush over to raise the atonementarm at the end of the record. It is just across from my Pro-Ject Walnut and Acrylic beauty which gets most playtime since I got it and the Sumiko Moonglow cartridge.

    But I do use the SL-QD33 with the new P-Type cartridge I put in a few months ago. Talk about easy of installation and use?! Why more ‘tables do not use P-mounts is not really beyond me because anything easy is eschewed by frAudians as it makes access to this hobby both easier and funner. I like funner.

    I think not having a nice stereo cartridge come standard with a ‘table is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as not making a DD table that is at least semi-auto. I have one of those too. It is a Fisher. And of course it looks like a turntable should. Yup! It looks like a turntable.

    These new ‘tables ‘o Technics are turning the tide toward DD and not just because audio is a hobby turgid with “toxic mAssculinity” and “DD” is usually enough to send such heathen over the edge into cross your heartland to tussel with the bustle that was the loverly Jane Russell. “Sigh”…She was, is and shall always be pure class.

    Enough ramblin’.

    HowORT Hughes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Cyrus Audio 40 Series hi-fi audio system components lifestyle

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

The Cyrus Audio 40 series hi-fi components includes matching Integrated Amplifier, Streamer, CD Player and Power Supply for $16,480.

iFi hip-dac 3 Stealth iFi hip-dac 3 Stealth

Headphone Amps

At $199, iFi improves its hip-dac 3 portable DAC/AMP with new Stealth Edition but it's only available through Gramophone.

Schiit Gunnr Gaming Interface Lifestyle Schiit Gunnr Gaming Interface Lifestyle

Headphone Amps

Connect between PC/Mac and headphones to take your gaming to the next level with exclusive Width and Presence controls for $229.

Audio-Technica AT-LP8X Turntable Audio-Technica AT-LP8X Turntable

New Products

At $999, the Audio-Technica AT-LP8X is a three speed semi-automatic direct drive turntable with AT-VM95E cartridge.

Hisense 110UX Championship Edition 4K Mini-LED 110-inch TV Hisense 110UX Championship Edition 4K Mini-LED 110-inch TV

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

After being unveiled 9 months ago at CES, Hisense finally has its 110-inch MiniLED TV for sale in a limited edition version for basketball...

Goldring GR3 Turntable Lifestyle with Q Acoustics M20 Goldring GR3 Turntable Lifestyle with Q Acoustics M20

New Products

At $999, the Goldring GR3 turntable comes with an E3 cartridge and built-in phono preamp for compatibility.

Gift Ideas?

Early Holiday Gift Guide 2024

Gift Guides

New products from Apple, Beats, JBL, Sony and Hisense are sure to be atop everyone's wishlist this Holiday season. Order now to beat the...

You May Also Like

New Products

At $999, the Audio-Technica AT-LP8X is a three speed semi-automatic direct drive turntable with AT-VM95E cartridge.

New Products

At $3,299, Technics New Generation Grand Class SL-1300G Direct Drive Turntable features new motor drive technology and power supply.

New Products

At $1,599, Technics' Special Edition SL-1200M7B Direct Drive Turntable arrives in Lamborghini style and colors: green, yellow and orange.

New Products

The Lenco L-38010 is a feature packed turntable for vinyl enthusiasts and budding DJs for only $499.

New Products

Is Denon looking for a fight? The new flagship DP-3000NE is clearly aimed at another Japanese rival that just launched last week. Let the...

New Products

The Technics SL-1500C Turntable now comes with a white matte finish option in addition to black and silver. Find out what else this turntable...

New Products

The new Technics SL-100C Premium Class Turntable includes a direct drive motor, Audio Technica VM95C cartridge, and more.

Articles

Peter Hahn, Owner and Founder of Turntable Lab in New York City, joins us for 10 questions about vinyl and the state of the...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers