Upcoming Technics SP-10R (100th Anniversary Model)


Ok GAE owners, now you can sell your turntables, because upcoming Technics 100th Anniversary model will be a new version of the reference SP-10mk3 and they call it SP-10R. Finally!

http://www.technics.com/uk/about/press/releases/20170830-sp-10r/

"Berlin, Germany (30 August 2017) – Technics has today announced the launch of the Reference Class SP-10R, its most premium analogue, direct drive turntable to date, which is anticipated to hit the market in early summer 2018. The news comes as Technics unveils a prototype of the new, cutting-edge turntable with the world’s top-level* S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio and rotational stability for the first time at this year’s IFA."

"Reference Class Turntable Promising Outstanding Results

The SP-10R features a brand new, coreless direct drive motor which, in addition to the two-sided rotor drive system that was used in the SL-1200G, boasts stator coils on both sides of the rotor, for a more powerful and accurate sound."

"The heavy platter features a three-layer structure consisting of brass, aluminum die-cast and deadening rubber, just like the platter of the SL-1200G. By optimising the natural frequency of each layer, external vibrations are thoroughly suppressed resulting in a beautifully clear and crisp audio experience."

"The SP-10R also features a new ultra-low-noise switching power supply, which, compared to a power supply unit using a transformer, is better at suppressing unwanted humming sounds and vibrations. The power supply unit is separate from the main turntable, preventing unwelcome noise from being transmitted to the turntable unit, for a sharper and clearer sound."


FIRST VIDEO with SP-10R:

https://youtu.be/g0AjawoIqmg

https://youtu.be/DKuYVWl8TpY

https://youtu.be/dFXzMs-fb88

https://youtu.be/0U2xkWCiQZw


P.S. Should we expect $15 000 or more ? And the new plinth comin soon?

Power supply looks funny, but the design of the drive is great, i think we should wait for the new version of the EPA-100 soon. Good news the GAE was not the last turntable !!!






128x128chakster
Before now, an SP10 Mk3 complete and in good to excellent working condition would have been worth about $10K to $12K, sans any plinth.  I think the introduction of the SP10R into the market place will drive the value of the Mk3 down below the 5-figure level, because the SP10R will likely retail for less than $20K, and with its coreless motor and modern drive system, it has to be at least as good as, and maybe better than, the Mk3.  So, in one way or another, we will all benefit.  Tweakers apparently can remove the motor/platter from the SP10R for mounting in an aftermarket plinth, thereby eliminating the upper square escutcheon entirely.  If I were in the business of selling $50,000 and above belt-drive turntables, I would be concerned.  Done right, the SP10R could change the game entirely.  (As a Mk3 owner, I can take solace in the apparent facts that the 10R motor has less torque and the 10R platter has less mass than either analogous part of my Mk3. But I will want a 10R.)
Albert may step in here to speak for himself, but if not, he began with a SP-10 Mk 2, mounted in an upgraded plinth mainly of his own design.  He found that good enough to replace his reference Walker table and arm.  Then he was able to buy a SP-10 Mk 3 which offered even better performance.  I suspect that was the one utilized for his comparison against master tapes.

In other regards I agree with Lew's post, except that I own a Mk 2 rather than a Mk 3. :^(
Yes, Albert was talking about his Mk3 with top arms and cartridges. He's got two of them with four arms.
Still, the tape rules and it will. I'd rather get Studer for $5k or so, add another $5k to make it near perfect and chase master tape dubs.
Studer for the price of a cartridge...
Even Otari and some others should be capable of beating almost any vinyl set-up. But if you have thousands of records and listen to most of them then yeah maybe better stay with vinyl. Not my situation.
In my guess SP10-R would be within $10k

Considering that they have already figured out the design for the GAE and sp10-R and both of them would share a lot, a big company like Technics would like to play the game of volumes rather than selling few TTs in a year. At $15k and above they will only be targeting less than 5% of the audiophiles. That I dont think they would want to do.