TECHNICS 100th Anniversary 2018 Premium Turntables. Their best ever.


I discovered this morning that Technics announced at CES the about to be released later this year their premium Special edition 100th Anniversary Turntables. Head and shoulder's above the SL-1200G and SL-1200GR. The two new models are the SP-10R, which has an outboard power supply with no tonearm and will retail for $10K. Panasonic claims the SP-10R has the highest S/N ratio in the world against any belt drive or direct drive tables on the market. 
The other model is the all in one unit including tonearm, the SL-1000R which will retail for $20K. Only one word comes to mind looking at the pics this morning of the SL-1000R, DROOL! They upgraded and improved the coreless motor thats in the SL-1200G and SL-1200GR models. SME and SOTA, eat your heart's out!
audiozen
We've been using the Oracle mat but it is a bit thick if you want to also use a clamp.
@audiozen Yup. I'm definitely going for an SME. SME makes the best engineered, built, finished, sounding, and measuring turntables in the world. Followed by TechDas. 

If I was getting a Technics, it would have to be the SL-1000R with an SME V 12 tonearm. But the price would be closer to $30K. At that point I would be crazy not to just go for an SME Model 20, or 30. Both are best measuring turntables in the world.

I would not want to put an SP-10R into some nonmetal wood DIY garage plinth. 

I think people are getting out of hand in regards to praising these direct drive turntables. They're very good, but that's all that they are.


I am using the Boston Acoustics Mat.  I would like to try the Luxman mat.  Has anyone used the Luxman?
The SME and Technics are 2 different animals.  The SME is Smooth, quiet, and slow sounding.  The Technics is fast, great timing, pretty darn quiet, great bass, and fairly neutral with a slight hint of warmth. I would say one of the best values in audio today.. If SME made the 1200g, it would cost 15 grand.
Technics on its own, sounds great. Better than most in its price range. But comparing to SME or Michell, 1200G sounds like mud. Both belt driven turntables play music with significantly more conviction, clarity, drive, and rhythm.

I have not tried the 1200G with a modern SME tonearm, so who knows what that could bring...

And you have it reversed. If Technics tried to manufacture SME's machining, fit, and finish, 1200G would cost $50K.

Aside from a very advanced motor, the rest of the fit and finish is midfi. Your standard cast parts, brushed aluminum and powder coated finish.