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Technics Grand Class Direct-Drive Turntable System SL-1200G

Panasonic Canada and Technics are proud to announce the (non-limited) Grand Class Direct-Drive Turntable System SL-1200G for audiophiles looking to rediscover and experience the uniquely warm sound quality of analogue vinyl discs.

Due to the widespread use of CDs and digital music downloads, turntable systems have been absent as major competitors in the audio market; however an ever increasing consumer interest in vinyl records has prompted the launch of a new system for Hi-Fi use.

Overcoming Analogue Issues of the Past
Direct drive turntable systems have been beloved by Hi-Fi enthusiasts since their introduction by Technics in 1970. However, one problem that direct-drive systems have always faced was the possibility of sound quality degradations caused by ‘cogging’, or tiny vibrations of the motor and rotational speed fluctuations. By combining the knowledge and expertise gained as the originator of direct-drive turntable systems with a newly developed coreless direct-drive motor without an iron core, this ‘cogging’ can be eliminated. Any potential minute motor vibrations are suppressed even further by high-precision rotary positioning sensors guided by a microprocessor controlled system; a feature unique to the new Technics Grand Class Direct-Drive Turntable System SL-1200G.

The Technics Grand Class Direct-Drive Turntable System SL-1200G aims to provide the smoothest possible rotary control by the use of an encoder at the bottom of the motor which detects the precise rotating angle.

Furthermore, twin rotator construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining high torque and also limits minute vibration during rotation making it possible to reproduce the warm sound and subtle nuances of musical expression engraved in the analogue record grooves and craved by vinyl lovers.

Broadcast Industry Beating Three-layered Platter
The platter has three-layered construction consisting of a rigidly combined heavyweight brass top surface, aluminum die-cast center and a deadening rubber material covering its bottom surface. This eliminates unnecessary resonance, achieving high rigidity and vibration damping. The smooth rotational stability and inertial mass even surpasses the Technics SP-10MK2, the direct-drive turntable standard used in the past by broadcast stations worldwide.

High Dampening Tonearm
The platter has three-layered construction consisting of a rigidly combined heavyweight brass top surface, aluminum die-cast center and a deadening rubber material covering its bottom surface. This eliminates unnecessary resonance, achieving high rigidity and vibration damping. The smooth rotational stability and inertial mass even surpasses the Technics SP-10MK2, the direct-drive turntable standard used in the past by broadcast stations worldwide.

The Days of Buttons and Knobs Are Over
The tonearm employs a lightweight material1 which has been cold drawn to improve the characteristics of the material and increase the dampening effect.

In addition, high initial-motion sensitivity is attained by employing the traditional Technics gimbal suspension construction with the 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.

Four-layered Cabinet Construction
A 10-mm-thick top panel of immaculate aluminum has been added to the previous three-layered construction of aluminum die cast, Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC) and heavyweight-class rubber. This four-layered construction combines high rigidity to reduce resonance with a premium finish and feel.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Grand Class SL-1200G *same as SL1200GAE
(Some spec criteria will be newly added. Apply the same to SL-1200GAE)

All new design for Redefining the Direct Drive Turntable
– Twin-Rotor Surface-Facing Direct Drive motor 
– Direct Drive Motor Controller
– High Sensitive Tonearm
– Brass-Top Turntable Platter
– Zinc / Silicone Insulator Footing

Technics Definitive Design
– Inherited design from the SL-1200 series
– Heavy Aluminum Top Plate

Turntable Section
Type
– Direct Drive Manual Turntable
Turntable Speeds
– 33 1/3 rpm, 45rpm, 78 rpm
Variable Range Pitch
– ±8%, ±16%
Wow and Flutter
– 0.025% W.R.M.S. (JIS C5521)
Rumble
– 78dB (IEC 98A Weighted)
Turntable Platter
– Weight:Approx. 3.6kg *Including rubber sheet

Tonearm Section
Type
– Universal, Static Balance 
Overhang
– 15mm
Arm Height Adjustment Range
– 0 – 6mm
Applicable Cartridge Weight Range
– Without auxiliary weight
5.6 – 12.0g 
14.3 – 20.7g *including headshell
– With small auxiliary weight
10.0 – 16.4g
18.7 – 25.1g *including headshell
– With large auxiliary weight
14.3 – 19.8g
23.0 – 28.5g *including headshell

General
Terminal
– Phono Output x 1 / SIGNAL GND x 1
Power Supply
– AC110-240 V, 50 Hz / 60 Hz
Power Consumption
– 14 W / Approx. 0.2W *Standby
Dimensions & Weight
– W: 453 mm H: 173 mm D: 372 mm
– Approx. 18kg *Height including dust cover

The Technics Grand Class Direct-Drive Turntable System SL-1200G will be available at select Hi-Fi dealers across Canada in the Fall of 2016 and will retail for $4999.99.

NOTE: This is a modification from previous announcement in January 2016: The SL-1200G tonearm will also employ cold drawn magnesium material just as the SL-1200GAE to preserve the highest audiophile sound quality.

A subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic Canada Inc. provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions to meet consumer, business and industrial needs. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can visit Panasonic’s home page at www.Panasonic.com.

Contacts
Lindsay Barnes - Environics Communications
Anthony Ou - Environics Communications