New models from Technics
The recent re-introduction of the superb turntable line-up from Technics has been a very welcome addition to our range of turntable offerings. Technics have not succumbed to the temptation to capitalise on their past reputation and reduce the quality of manufacture to hit price points — the construction quality of their current offering is as good as their iconic offerings of yesteryear. Surprisingly they have also managed to remain price competitive. They are now taking this same attitude to a wider variety of products.
Technics SU-C700 Integrated Amplifier: $2,749
The fashion at the moment is front panel meters — and Technics have embraced this trend with gusto. Despite the fact that this amplifier is narrower than is usual (it measures 335mm wide) the front panel is all power meters.
Despite this obvious homage to days of old this is a very modern amplifier, featuring a variety of both digital and analogue inputs — including a phono input. It is rated at 45 watts per channel, and yet it can drive relatively inefficient speakers with ease.
It features several Technics exclusive technologies, including:
JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimisation)
LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration) — this is a speaker impedance optimisation algorithm which can be selected from the remote control.
High-Speed Silent Linear Power Supply (to ensure that the amplifier can deliver ample voltage and current at all times, even when very dynamic music demands both simultaneously).
SL-G700 Multi-Digital Player: $4,949
If you are looking for a high-end player that covers most of your digital requirements this may be what you are looking for. Firstly, and most obviously, the SL-G700 is a high performance CD/SACD player. It can also be used as a digital-toanalogue converter.
Technics’ SL-G700 is also a streamer supporting a wide variety of music sources and connectivity — including TIDAL, MQA, Spotify, Deezer, Apple Air Play, Bluetooth and Chromecast.
Build quality is typical Technics, down to its Four-Section construction ensuring isolation of the different digital, analogue and power supply platforms.
SB-C700a Speakers: $2,995/pair
When reviewing these speakers Herb Reichert of Stereophile magazine concluded by writing: “I dare you to audition these beautiful, well-engineered speakers. Technics’ new Premium Class SBC700s are not only accurate, transparent and neutral, but also excellent value.
Highly recommended.”
This is a speaker designed for anyone looking for something stylish, compact, and dynamic with excellent imaging — and that is casting a pretty wide net. The driver, developed by Technics specifically for this model, is a flat two-way coaxial design — that is, both the mid-bass driver and the tweeter are part of the same structure. Because the tweeter is at the centre of the mid-bass driver it acts as a point-sound source providing coherent sound across the frequency range and delivering excellent soundstage focus. This is by no means a new or unique technology, it has been used for eons in one form or another by numerous manufacturers — the most obvious current example being the speaker that the SB-C700a will invariably be compared to, and that is the KEF LS50. It is a technology that can be hard to get right, but when it is the results are very rewarding.
Technics SL-1000R Direct-Drive Turntable: $32,999
We have not received this yet, but it is on order, so keep an eye on our social media — and we will be sending an EDM to announce its arrival the moment it hits our shelves. (Not on our email list? — please go to our website to correct this).
The Technics SL-1000R is the result of allowing some of the best turntable designers in the world to run riot. This turntable features a double-coil coreless direct-drive motor, a super-heavy platter, a separate control unit and a high-quality base-mounted tonearm all on an extremely stable, rigid cabinet. We can hardly wait to hear it!