Technics SL-1200GREBS Grand Class GR Direct Drive Turntable

Features

Coreless Direct-Drive Motor Achieving Stable Rotation 
In 1970, Technics commercialised the world‘s first direct-drive turntable and it took the world by storm.

Direct-drive systems, unlike belt-drive and other units, rotate at a low speed to directly spin the platter. This offers many benefits, like essentially eliminating degradation of the S/N ratio because of motor vibration and deceleration, and maintaining high reliability with no need to change parts over a long duration.

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,” which was a unique issue for direct-drive systems.

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.

High-precision Motor Control for Ideal Rotation Conditions 

The rotation control leverages the advanced motor control technology honed during the development of Blu-ray Disc devices, the same technology used in the SL-1200G, to ensure precise motor performance.

Pursuing Rigidity and Vibration Damping Characteristics 

The platter achieves high rigidity and vibration damping characteristics by using a two-layer construction with deadening rubber applied to the entire rear surface of the aluminium die-cast to eliminate the unnecessary resonance that is otherwise relayed to the record, thereby producing clear sound.

The aluminium die-cast portion was optimised via simulation to maximise inertial mass and minimise vibration. Weighing 2.5 kg (with the rubber mat included), the SL-1200GR platter is 0.8 kg heavier than the SL-1200MK5. Enhancing the platter's rigidity, the back surface additionally features supporting ribs. Contact with the supple rubber provides the SL-1200GR damping characteristics more than twice as strong as the SL-1200MK5.

Tonearm Achieving High Initial-Motion Sensitivity

The tonearm tracks the rotation of the record and enables reading with high precision, and the tonearm inherited by Technics is the traditionally used static-balance universal S-shaped tonearm, employing an aluminium pipe with excellent light weight and rigidity for the material of the tonearm pipe.

With its gimbal suspension construction, the tonearm bearing section uses a cut-processed housing that employs high-precision bearings, as in the SL-1200G. The high initial-motion sensitivity of 5 mg or less is achieved through manual assembly and adjustment by skilled Japanese artisans. This enables the grooves etched into the records to be accurately traced.

In addition, one type of auxiliary weight comes included, and the cartridge can be swapped with a variety of other cartridges to match the music genre or feeling. (Applicable cartridge weight when using the supplied auxiliary weight: 10 – 16.4 g (not including the supplied head shell)).

High-quality Terminals for Both Sound and Appearance 

The turntable uses gold-plated phono terminals for detachable cables, and so a wide variety of cables can be selected. Also, the use of metal shielding construction inside the case reduces the effects of external noise.

High-rigidity Body and High-damping Silicon Insulators for Smooth Sound and Isolation from Various Vibrations 

The SL-1200GR features a two-layered construction uniting BMC and an aluminium die-cast chassis, ensuring superior rigidity. To provide support for the body, the turntable uses special silicon rubber, like the SL-1200G, ensuring robust vibration damping and long-term durability. Horizontal vibration is dampened through reinforcement with cylindrical tubes made of microcell polymers.

While inheriting the technology of the SL-1200G, the insulators have had tuning performed specifically for the SL-1200GR.  Also, the installation section of the insulators is equipped with a vertical adjustment mechanism using screws.

This eliminates the rattle that occurs when the turntable is installed in a rack or the like, and prevents unwanted vibration. In addition, exact horizontal adjustment of the platter and record surface reduces rotation irregularity due to slanting, thereby enabling more stable record playing.

Product Features & Specifications

Turntable Section

• Type:  Direct Drive Manual Turntable
• Turntable Speeds:  33-1/3, 45 and 78 r/min
• Adjust Range:  ±8 %, ±16 %
• Starting Torque:  2.2 kg-cm
• Build-up Characteristics:  0.7 s. from Standstill to 33-1/3 r/min
• Wow And Flutter:  0.025 % W.R.M.S.
• Rumble:  78 dB (IEC 98A weighted)
• Turntable Platter:
  • Aluminium diecast
  • Diameter 332 mm
  • Weight Approx. 2.5 kg (Including rubber sheet)

Tonearm Section

• Type:  Universal Static Balance
• Effective Length:  230 mm
• Overhang:  15 mm
• Tracking Error Angle:
  • Within 2° 32′ (at the outer groove of 30 cm record)
  • Within 0° 32′ (at the inner groove of 30 cm record)
• Offset Angle:  22°
• Arm-height Adjustment Range:  0 – 6 mm
• Stylus Pressure Adjustment Range:  0 – 4 g (Direct Reading)
• Head Shell Weight:  Approx. 7.6 g
• Applicable Cartridge Weight Range:
  • Without auxiliary weight 5.6 – 12.0 g,  14.3 – 20.7 g (including head shell)
  • With auxiliary weight 10.0 – 16.4 g,  18.7 – 25.1 g (including head shell)
• Cartridge Mounting Dimension:  JIS 12.7 mm (1/2″) interval
• Head Shell Terminal Lug:  1.2 mmφ 4-pin terminal lug

Terminals

• Audio Output:  PHONO (Pin Jack) x 1, EARTH TERMINAL x 1

General

• Power Supply:  AC 110 – 240 V, 50 / 60 Hz
• Power Consumption:  11 W Approx. 0.2 W (Standby)
• Finish: Silver
• Weight: 11.5 kg
• Dimensions (D x W x H): 327 x 543 x 173 mm

In the Box

• Turntable
• Turntable Sheet
• Dust Cover
• EP Record Adaptor
• Balance Weight
• Auxiliary Weight
• Head Shell
• Overhang Gauge
• Screw Set for Cartridge
• PHONO Cable
• PHONO Earth Lead
• AC Power Supply Cord
• Owner’s Manual