Due to
the widespread use of CDs, turntable systems disappeared briefly from the
market, but their warm sound quality is bringing them back. The direct-drive
turntable invented by Technics is still highly acclaimed by audiophiles and DJs
in the form of the SL-1200 Series, and there have been many requests to revive
the turntable system. As such, we decided to develop a new system for Hi-Fi
use. Here we provide an outline of our intent in this development.
Direct-drive
is generally considered to be for DJ use, and belt drive is for Hi-Fi use. In
the 1970s, when Technics invented direct-drive turntables, their performance
and reliability were first recognised by broadcast stations. High acclaim was
then received by audiophiles. The high-precision rotation and absence of S/N
ratio degradation were particularly attractive to these users. The high torque
and reliability of direct-drive were recognised by DJs, and direct-drive
turntables became the standard in the club scene.
When
developing a direct-drive motor, considerable capital investment is required
for large-scale production equipment. In contrast, belt drives can be made with
a little cost. Also, compared with direct-drive, belt drive was designed with
the latest technology. The view remains that direct-drive is for DJ use and
belt drive is for Hi-Fi use. Originally, direct-drive offered superior sound
quality. If we redesign the direct-drive motor and control circuitry, we will
be able to create a turntable that is superior to other systems.
Technics
was also a leader in incorporating innovations, such as vibration-damping
materials, cabinet construction, and insulators. Having inherited the DNA of
Technics, we do not wish to merely make a replica of the SL-1200.
In other
words, our intent in this development is to redefine the direct-drive turntable
reference.
Features
The coreless direct
drive eliminates cogging and achieves smooth rotation
The twin-rotor
construction reduces minute vibration during rotation while maintaining high
torque.
The high-precision
motor control technology switches the drive mode depending on the operational
status of the motor. This technology combines high torque with high
stability.The tone arm with high-precision bearings achieves high
initial-motion sensitivity
The tone arm pipe
employs magnesium which provides high rigidity.
The use of
traditional Technics gimbal suspension construction and high-precision bearings
attains high initial-motion sensitivity.
Three-layered
turntable that delivers smooth rotational stability
The turntable has a
three-layered construction with a rigidly combined brass and aluminium diecast
platter, and a rubber covering its rear surface to eliminate unnecessary
resonance. With this construction, high rigidity and vibration damping are
achieved.
The use of a
heavyweight-class turntable that generates a large inertial mass. It delivers smooth rotational stability.
Four-layered cabinet
construction and insulators based on thorough anti-vibration design
The top panel of
immaculate aluminum has been added to the three-layered construction of
aluminum diecast, BMC, and heavyweight-class rubber. This four-layered
construction combines high rigidity with a high quality finish and feel.
The insulators
employ special silicon rubber to ensure high vibration damping and long-term
reliability. They completely dampen external vibration and suppress howling
noise.
High-quality
terminals
The use of
brass-milled and gold-plated terminals prevents degradation in sound quality.
Inside the case, the
metal shielding construction is used to diminish the effects of external noise.
Highly accurate
turntable speed maintained with the pitch control
The digital control
method is adopted to achieve constant pitch control.
The pitch variable
range select button (×2) is provided. The pitch control with the range up to
±16 % is possible
Coreless Direct Drive Motor
Conventional
analogue turntables have problems with degradation in sound quality caused by
factors such as minute speed vibration during rotation and rotation
irregularity called "cogging." In the SL-1200GAE, the use of a newly
developed coreless direct-drive motor with no iron core eliminates cogging.
Also, the twin-rotor construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining
high torque, and also reduces minute vibration during rotation. These factors
enable reproduction of the warm, exquisitely detailed sound etched on analogue
records.
High-Precision Motor Control Technology
The
application of motor control technology developed for Blu-ray devices, and
switching the drive mode depending on the operational status of the motor
achieve a high starting torque and high speed stability.
Four-layered Cabinet Construction
A
hairline-processed, 10-mm-thick top panel of immaculate aluminium has been
added to the previous three-layered construction of aluminium diecast, BMC, and
heavyweight-class rubber on the SL-1200MK5. This four-layered construction
combines high rigidity with a high quality finish and feel.
High Sensitive Tonearm
The
tonearm employs lightweight magnesium which has a high damping effect, with
cold drawing improving the characteristics of the material and achieving the
high-precision required. In addition, high initial-motion sensitivity is
attained by employing the traditional Technics gimbal suspension construction
with horizontal rotation axis and the vertical rotation axis intersecting at a
single central point, as well as high-precision bearings using a cut-processed
housing.
Three-layered Turntable Platter
The
turntable has a three-layered construction with a rigidly combined brass and
aluminium diecast platter. With a deadening rubber covering its entire rear
surface to eliminate unnecessary resonance, thereby achieving high rigidity and
vibration damping. This delivers smooth rotational stability and inertial mass
surpassing the SP-10MK2, the direct-drive turntable standard used by broadcast
stations worldwide, as well as having more than twice the inertial mass of the
SL-1200MK5.
High-Quality Terminals
The use
of brass-milled and gold-plated phono terminals and ground terminals prevents
degradation in sound quality while enabling the easy attaching and detaching of
cables. Also theuse of metal shielding construction inside the case reduces the
effects of external noise.
High-level Balance Adjustment
When the
weight distribution of the turntable is uneven, excess vibration or noise
occurs during rotation, which causes degradation in sound quality. Therefore,
the balance of the turntable is adjusted at the factory by using specialised
high-precision balance adjustment equipment for each and every item after the
turntable is assembled. Turntables that have undergone adjustment are labelled
with a sticker reading "BALANCED" to indicate that adjustment has
been done.
Specifications
Turntable Section
Type: Direct drive manual turntable
Drive Method: Direct drive
Motor: Brushless DC motor
Turntable: Brass and aluminum diecast combined
Diameter: 332 mm (13-5/64“)
Mass: Approx. 3.6 kg (7 15/16 lbs) (including a
rubber sheet)
Turntable
Speeds: 33-1/3, 45 and 78 rpm
Variable Range
Pitch: ±8 % and ±16 %
Starting
Torque: 3.3 kg-cm (2.8 lb-in)
Build-up
Characteristics: 0.7 s. from standstill
to 33-1/3 rpm
Braking System: Electronic brake
Wow and
Flutter: 0.025 % W.R.M.S. (JIS C5521)
Rumble: 78 dB (IEC 98A weighted)
Tone Arm Section
Type: Static Balance
Effective
Length: 230 mm (9-1/16“)
Overhang: 15 mm (19/32“)
Tracking Error
Angle:
Within 2° 32' (at
the outer groove of 30 cm (12“) record)
Within 0° 32' (at
the inner groove of 30 cm (12“) record)
Offset Angle: 22°
Arm-height
Adjustment Range: 0 – 6 mm (0“ - 15/64“)
Stylus Pressure
Adjustment Range: 0 – 4 g (direct
reading)
Head Shell
Weight: Approx. 7.6 g
Applicable Cartridge Weight Range:
Without the
auxiliary weight : 5.6 to 12.0 g; 14.3
to 20.7 g (including the head shell)
With the small
auxiliary weight : 10.0 to 16.4 g; 18.7
to 25.1 g (including the head shell)
With the big
auxiliary weight : 14.3 to 19.8 g; 23.0
to 28.5 g (including the head shell)
Head
Shell Terminal Lug: 1.2 mm Φ 4-pin
terminal lug
General
Power Supply: AC 120V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption:
Power ON : 14 W
Power OFF : 0,2 W
Dimensions
(W×H×D): 453 x 173 x 372 mm (17-27/32“ ×
6-13/16“ × 14-21/32“)
Mass Approx. 18.0 kg
(39.7 lbs)
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