Technics is a brand name of Panasonic. Notably, the renowned Technics turntable range began in 1969. However, Technics began issuing products in 1965. These included amplifiers and tape recorders as well as turntables. However, it is turntables that they are most respected for, beginning with the SP10 in 1969.
Today the range is spit in to three classes, Reference, Grand and Premium with prices ranging from around £19.000 for the SP10R, to the budget SP100R at less than £1000.
The Technics brand pioneered direct drive technology with the SP10. Notably, this model eliminated belts by using a motor to directly drive the platter. Consequently, the first direct drive turntable release was the SP10, aimed at the professional market. As a result, it did not come with an arm. Next, the first consumer model was the SL 1100 issued in 1971.
Direct Drive technology
Thorens 1929 direct drive motor
Thorens were the first to develop direct drive technology, for turntables, back in the 1920’s. It was too expensive to use at the time. however, Thorens used direct drive for their turntables in the 1970’s. Consequently Technics issued the SP10 using a similar technology. This had a 20 pole 60 slot DC motor running off 15Volts. Notably, there was a pitch control with a margin of +/- 2%. The platter weighed a hefty 2.7 Kg. Additionally, the rotation of the platter was monitored by a tachometer. This was fed back to the servo system to regulate the speed.
The main advantage of direct drive is reliability. There is no belt to stretch and slip. They also start much faster that belt drive units. This endeared them to DJ’s. Nowadays the main feature of Technics decks is the direct drive motor that has been modernised and features a sophisticated speed control. The new motor is used across the entire range.
The original Technics SP10 from 1969
Reference class turntables from Technics
The Reference class SP10R
The Reference class SP10R is the modern equivalent of the vintage SP10. Notably, it is the flagship of the Technics turntable range. No tonearm is supplied. we can offer advice on suitable tonearm and cartridge matching. The key feature with Technics decks is still the direct drive motor. The motor has a double-sided 12 pole, 18 coil construction. As a result it has very precise speed control with minimal cogging. Next, the platter weighs a hefty 7.9kg and has a high mass. Consequently this tends to resist speed variations. Another feature is the external control unit. This contains the power supply and speed control. Moreover, the separate power supply keeps any noise away from the sensitive cartridge wiring. Unusually for a high end deck, the SP10R has a 78rpm speed setting as well as 33 and 45rpm.
Precision direct drive motor
The heart of all technics decks is the precision direct drive motor. This motor unit has a double sided rotor that has 12 poles and 18 coils. The large number of coils ensures a smooth rotation with a very low wow and flutter of 0.015%. Another important features is the thrust bearing used by the Platter. The platter is heavy, with a 7.9kg mass. Consequently the bearings need to be able to support the weight and still have a low friction. As a result the bearing has been specially designed. Finally to lower the centre of mass of the whole unit uses two stainless steel weights, that are mounted in the chassis. This reduces vibration.
Digital display of speed, and precision control.
The SL10R has an external power supply and control unit. This ensures no noise can get into the sensitive cartridge wiring. The power supply is switch mode unit. The PSU has it has to supply enough power to drive the heavy platter. The power supply was specially designed with a high frequency noise reduction system. As a result no switching noise is present at the output. Moreover the connecting cable is also heavily shielded.
The speed can be adjusted by a digital up/down selector, along with a digital OLED display. the display is accurate to two decimal places
There is also the SL1000R in the Technics reference class turntable range. This comes with a base and a tonearm. The choice of cartridge and headshell is left up to the user.
The Technics SL1000R
The Technics SL1000R
Next in the Technics turntable range is the SL1000R. The main difference to the S10R is the provided base and high sensitivity tonearm. The tonearm is an S-type static balanced universal type. However it has a lightweight, high damping factor magnesium arm pipe. Additionally, the arm is mounted on high precision bearings. This achieves a high initial motion sensitivity so that the grooves are tracked more accurately. Next in the Technics turntable range is the grand class SL1210G
Grand Class turntables from Technics
The Grand Class turntables are more affordable, with the SL1210G being around £4000 and the SL1210GR being around £1600. The main differences, with the reference class, are the built in power supply and platter strobe unit. This is a two speed turntable with a large slider type pitch control. A high precision direct drive motor is used and the platter features a three layer construction. This comprises brass and aluminium layers that has an anti-resonance rubber coated base
Premium class turntables from Technics
At around £1000 the Premium Class SL1500C is the budget model in the Technics turntable range. Importantly it still feature Technics precision direct drive motor and control circuitry. however the appearance is minimalist with no strobe for the speed setting. Another good feature, for entry level buyers, is the provided Ortofon 2M red phono cartridge. Additionally, there is a built in phono stage so that the turntable can be used with a line level input amplifier. finally, the built in power supply is well shielded preventing any noise and interference from entering the phono preamp stage.
The Technics SL100C
The Technics SL100C
Finally the Technics SL100C is the base model in the range, and is well featured for an under £1000 turntable . Notably, it comes fitted with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95C cartridge. This is a well-respected cartridge with a good level of performance. There is also an auto lifer feature that lifts the record at the end of play to prevent damage. Finally, the chassis is made of a quality die-cast aluminium that is integrated with ABS mixed with glass fibre. this has excellent anti-resonance properties.