2. analog
  3. 134330-63

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
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
The Linn was very detailed and did have a deep soundstage.  It was just not as agile as the 1200g.  I do think it sounded as good or better than the SME 20 that I heard.  I honestly think the 1200G does everything better than the Linn.  Thats just my ears.  Maybe it was the cartridge or the system I heard it on.  
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
One of the things I am amazed by is how well this table plays old vinyl.  Old living stereo vinyl sound incredible. Cartridge does have a lot to do with it but it just cruises through crescendos with ease, much better or as good as almost every belt drive table I have ever heard at any price.  Direct drive is an eye opener.  The motor is the heart of a turntable and the 1200g has a good one.  The thing is that this table is not even near broken in yet.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
If I had a criticism of this table, It would not be the arm.  It is very good.  Is there better, of course but for most people it will be all they ever need. It would be that I think this table could be quieter.  The Linn and SME do seem quieter.  Not sure if it power supply related but just an early observation.  Again, this table is in its infancy.  That is not to say its not quiet, because it is.  The thing it does not do is color the sound like a linn or an SME, VPI, etc.  I truly believe you hear what is there for good or bad in spades.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,061 posts
 
I see the arm as a weak spot too. All my comments on the SL1200G are based on a Triplanar being installed, IOW they are about the platter and drive only.
ferrari275
71 posts
 
1200G's aesthetics are iconic.

The Volkswagen Beetle's aesthetics are also iconic.  But, it still does not make it a lust-worthy automobile enthusiasts sports car.

Perhaps the internals and platter make the 1200G's playback worth the investment for some, but between the low quality tonearm and electronic chain store aesthetics, for me it's a no go as even in my secondary office system it would appear cosmetically out of place.
More to discover