Technics Direct-Drive Turntables

The world’s first direct-drive turntable, the Technics SP-10 was launched in 1970, astonishing consumers and professionals alike with a level of rotational precision and reliability that belt drives and idler drives simply couldn’t match. The great appeal of direct-drive technology is its ability to eliminate degradation in sound quality caused by rotational fluctuation and minute vibrations between the motor and transmission mechanism inherent in other types of systems.

Technics direct-drive turntables offer unmatched speed accuracy and class-leading performance specifications. Unlike belt-drive and other systems, direct-drive systems rotate the motor at low speed and directly drive the platter, thus providing numerous advantages, such as the almost complete absence of degradation in S/N ratio due to motor vibration and deceleration mechanisms. Long-term reliability is another benefit of Technic's direct-drive technology with no belts, pucks, or idler wheels to be replaced.

In 2016, Technics developed the twin-rotor, surface-facing, coreless direct-drive motor with rotor magnets placed on both sides, thereby eliminating the rotation irregularity of the motor, referred to as "cogging." This motor was adopted for the SL-1200G, which once again drew a significant response in the hi-fi market. The SL-1200GR inherits the same design philosophy with the new development of a single-rotor, surface-facing, coreless direct-drive motor, resulting in the elimination of cogging.

Technics turntables have received numerous industry awards and accolades from audio reviewers worldwide
so whether you choose an SL-1500C or the statement SL-1000RES, each represents exceptional value, reliability, and outstanding performance at the price point.

SL-1500C (silver)

* Amazing performance, amazing value!
* Factory-mounted and aligned Ortofon Red MM cartridge for plug-and-play convenience
* Built-in phono preamp compatible with moving magnet cartridges
* High-torque coreless direct-drive motor ensures precise speed accuracy
* S-shaped aluminum tonearm with removable headshell
* End-of-record auto lift function
* 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM

* "At the end of my listening session, one thing became clear: This is an awesome turntable.
If I were looking for something in this price range, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the SL-1500C." - The Absolute Sound

SL-1500C-K (black)

* Amazing performance, amazing value!
* Factory-mounted and aligned Ortofon Red MM cartridge for plug-and-play convenience
* Built-in phono preamp compatible with moving magnet cartridges
* High-torque coreless direct-drive motor for precise speed accuracy
* S-shaped aluminum tonearm with removable headshell
* End-of-record auto lift function
* 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM

* "Everything was sharp, in focus, tight, energetic. The soundstage was wide and impressive, but the dynamics really won the day.
Everything was lively, fleshed out, and vigorous. I felt myself wanting to put on up-tempo music with lots of physical drumming and bass playing." - The Absolute Sound

SL-1200GR (silver)

* Superb performance, Technics reliability, and beautiful construction!
* High-torque, precision single-rotor, surface-facing, coreless direct-drive motor for unmatched speed accuracy
* Two-layer die-cast aluminum platter with damping integral damping
* Static-balanced S-shaped aluminum tonearm with gimbal bearings and removable headshell
* Die-cast aluminum chassis with silicone damped for rigidity and vibration control
* Convenient, built-in, pop-up cueing light
* Three-Year warranty
* 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM with pitch control

* "This is a device that performs superbly and makes you grin like an idiot at the same time. For that it comes Highly Recommended." - AV Forums

SL-1210GR (black)

* Superb performance, Technics reliability, and beautiful construction!
* High-torque, precision single-rotor coreless direct-drive motor for unmatched speed accuracy
* Two-layer die-cast aluminum platter with damping integral damping
* Static-balanced S-shaped aluminum tonearm with gimbal bearings and removable headshell
* Die-cast aluminum chassis with silicone damped for rigidity and vibration control
* Convenient, built-in, pop-up cueing light
* Three-year warranty
* 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM with pitch control

* "So, my $4,000 turntable was noticeably superior to my old SL-1210M5G, and the new SL-1200GR was superior to my $4,000 turntable by an even bigger margin.
That is how good it is. I had to open up my wallet again because the SL-1200GR was something I just could not live without." - Sound Advice

SL-1200G

* A sonic wonder! Easily competes with turntables at twice its price!
* Dual-rotor, high precision coreless direct-drive motor with advanced speed control circuitry for unmatched speed accuracy
* Seven-pound three-layer brass and aluminum platter, individually balanced by hand
* Precision S-shaped tonearm with magnesium armtube with ultra-precise gimbal bearings and VTA adjustment
* Convenient built-in, pop-up cueing light
* Four-layer, internally-damped chassis with machined aluminum 10mm deck plate
* Height adjustable silicone-damped isolation footers
* Solid construction throughout as evidenced by the 39-pound overall weight
* Three-year warranty
* 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM with pitch control
* Handcrafted in Japan

* "The Technics poses to my mind a real challenge to the ultra-high-priced turntables. "People ought to be ready for the idea that a really great example of turntable design need not cost as much as a luxury car if enough engineering expertise is directed at the problems.As always, it is a good idea to keep an open mind and open ears. And if you do, I think the Technics SL-1200G will be on your short list no matter how much money you can afford to spend.
It honors music in a truly profound way." - The Absolute Sound

* "The SL-1200G is a masterpiece. You owe it to yourself to hear one." - Audio Appraisal

SL-1000RE-S

* Technics flagship - True state-of-the-art turntable!
* Double coil, twin-rotor coreless direct-drive motor for exceptionally low noise
* Multi-layer 17-pound platter with tungsten periphery weights – individually balanced by hand
* Outboard controller with advanced motor control circuity and large power supply
* 10” precision S-shaped tonearm with magnesium armtube, ultra-precise gimbal bearings and OFC internal wiring.
* Continuously variable VTA adjustment
* Massive machined aluminum deck plate over multi-layer die-cast aluminum internal structure for an overall weight of 88 pounds
* Unique silicone-damped isolation footers
* Three-year warranty
* 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM with micro speed adjustments possible
* Custom-built to order - hand-assembled in Japan

* "The sheer scale and authority of the Technics’ presentation is admirable, but our attention is drawn to the player’s stereo imaging.
We can’t recall hearing another similarly priced deck that delivers stereo soundstaging with such precision and focus.
It’s a wide soundstage populated with precisely focused instruments and it stays stable even when the music gets busy." - HiFi+

* "But first, we spend time listening to the SL-1000R on its own terms, and we’re deeply impressed. It doesn’t matter what kind of music you play." - What HiFi

* "Am I thinking about procuring one myself? You bet. With its latest effort, Technics hasn’t simply hit a home run but a grand slam" - The Absolute Sound