Technics SL-1200GR2 Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable II

SL-1200GR2

Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System II (Silver)

Also available in black as SL-1210GR2

Fusing Technics’ traditional analog and digital technologies, the SL-1200GR2 is a new standard in direct drive turntable systems. With a revolutionary new Delta Sigma drive control method for smooth, accurate rotational stability and a new power supply for an exceptionally low noise floor, the new generation turntable outperforms the usual standards of its class for rich, robust sound and true high-fidelity listening.

• Coreless direct drive motor achieving stable rotation
• Low-noise, low-voltage power circuit and a switching power supply
• ΔΣ-Drive suppresses vibrations from the motor for smoother, more accurate rotation
• Tonearm achieving high initial-motion sensitivity
• Two-layer platter with high rigidity and vibration damping
• High-rigidity body and high-damping silicon insulators for smooth sound and isolation from various vibrations

Coreless direct drive motor and newly developed motor drive circuit to achieve high precision, stable rotation, and high reliability

• The adoption of coreless direct drive motor and highly precise motor control technology reduces minute vibration and achieves high reliability during rotation while maintaining high torque.
• The newly developed ΔΣ (delta sigma) -Drive motor drive circuit technology suppresses minute vibration caused by the motor and further reduces the transmission of vibration to the stylus tip on the record.

Newly designed low-noise power supply to suppress external noise

• We have adopted the newly designed low-noise switching power supply which utilises the know-how for Technics Grand Class amplifiers/digital players and the noise removal circuit of the top-tier SL-1000R model.

Tonearm with high-precision bearings achieves high initial-motion sensitivity

• The tonearm pipe made of light, highly rigid aluminium as well as the traditional Technics gimbal suspension construction and high-precision bearings attain high initial-motion sensitivity.

High rigidity and improved vibration damping capacity

• The reinforcing ribs on the back side of the aluminium die-cast platter and the rubber installed to suppress unnecessary resonance deliver high rigidity and improved vibration damping capacity.

Vibration-proof cabinet and insulators

• The two-layered cabinet made of a combination of BMC and aluminium die-cast ensures high rigidity, and the special silicon rubber insulators providing excellent vibration damping capacity and long-term reliability reduce external vibration and suppress howling noise.

High-quality terminals

• Gold-plated PHONO output terminals prevent degradation in sound quality.
• The case has a metal shielded interior to protect from external noise.

Highly accurate turntable speed with pitch control

• The digital control method is adopted to achieve constant pitch control.
• A pitch variable range select button (×2) is provided, allowing for pitch control with a range up to ±16 %.

New Motor-Drive System, ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive)

 

 

The ΔΣ-Drive is a new system that applies Technics’ expertise in PWM (pulse-width modulation) signal processing. In addition to reducing high harmonics, the new drive suppresses vibrations from the motor for smoother, more accurate rotation, ensuring a rich reproduction of the music.

 

In 1970, Technics developed the world’s first direct drive turntable. Direct drive turntable systems helped to significantly improve issues with previous turntables, such as S/N ratios, and wow and flutter. Used by broadcasting stations for their outstanding performance and reliability, these turntables came to dominate the industry.

 

In 2016, Technics developed the coreless direct drive motor, which helped to eliminate a mechanical issue known as cogging. Combining this motor with the latest digital rotational control technologies helped to realise a dramatic improvement in sound quality.

 

Technics has continued to engage in R&D to further improve the audio quality of analogue vinyl and better draw out the charms of the music, and as a result has successfully developed the ΔΣ-Drive, which boasts significant advancements over previous direct drives. This development marks the next generation of Technics’ direct drive turntable systems.

 

To improve sound quality when playing analogue vinyl, the cartridge’s ability to accurately trace the music information pressed into the record and convert it into electronic signals is paramount. This also requires excellent rotational accuracy with little or no vibrations from the motor. The new ΔΣ-Drive from Technics boasts unparalleled rotational performance that is fitting for a new generation of direct drive turntables, which in turn has greatly improved the electromagnetic conversion accuracy of the cartridge. We are excited for you to enjoy the outstanding vinyl sound from this new turntable system

 

 

Improved Sound Image Localisation for Richer Spatial Expression

 

 

The latest motor control systems utilise the PWM method. In the same way, Technics’ full digital amps utilise the PWM method to achieve high precision, low distortion output. Focusing on this common feature, to reduce minor rotational inaccuracies and minute vibrations from motor rotation, Technics developed the new ΔΣ-Drive using the high sound quality technologies it acquired from full digital amp development. In the world of turntables, where weight matters, this is a new approach to improving sound quality that focuses on signal processing.

 

The ΔΣ-Drive uses delta-sigma conversion technology to reduce errors in the drive signals, obtaining low distortion drive signals through highly precise PWM generation technology. It also helps to reduce the minor rotational inaccuracies and minute vibrations that cannot be picked up with wow and flutter or S/N ratios. Minute vibrations appear as reverse phase components in audio signals and obscure the sound image, but the ΔΣ-Drive reduces these vibrations to improve sound image localisation, enabling clear and high-quality spatial expression.

 

 

Comparison of Platter Vibrations in the ΔΣ-Drive and a Conventional System

 

 

The ΔΣ-Drive reduces the minute vibrations that are triggered by slight fluctuations in motor rotation. As a result, it helps to reduce vibrations on the surface of the platter, improving sound image localisation and enabling richer spatial expression.

 

Comparison of Audio Signal Spectral Waveforms in the ΔΣ-Drive and a Conventional System

 

 

Compared to the conventional system, the audio signal spectrum around 3 kHz becomes sharper, enabling clear playback with minimal rotational fluctuations.

 

 

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 aluminum die-cast to eliminate the unnecessary resonance that is otherwise relayed to the record, thereby producing clear sound.

 

To increase the inertial mass and reduce vibration, the shape of the aluminum die-cast portion was optimized by simulation. At 2.5 kg (including the rubber mat), the SL-1200GR2 platter is 0.8 kg heavier than that of the previous SL-1200MK5. Also, the back surface of the platter has strengthening ribs added to improve rigidity. Increasing the surface area of contact with the deadening rubber achieves damping characteristics that are more than twice those of 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 light weight and rigidity.

 

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 listener's preferences. (Applicable cartridge weight when using the supplied auxiliary weight: 10 - 16.4 g, not including the supplied headshell)

 

 

Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply

 

Low-Noise Switching Circuit

 

 

Use of a high-speed switching power supply ensures a stable supply capacity and less ripple and humming. Applying a switching power supply to a turntable eliminates the need for a large transformer and countermeasures for the ensuing mechanical vibrations. A switching frequency of above 100 kHz limits the impact of noise on the music playback bandwidth.

 

 

Current Injection Active Noise Cancelling

This technology combines a noise detection device with an error amplifier. It detects residual noise in the power supply and applies an inverse phase current to remove noise components. It removes low frequency noise more effectively than a regulator to ensure a more ideal power supply.

 

 

 

Two-layered Cabinet Construction

 

The SL-1200GR2 ensures high rigidity by using a body with a two-layered construction that solidly unifies the BMC and the aluminum die-cast chassis.

 

 

High-dampening Silicone Insulators

 

 

For the insulators supporting the body, the SL-1200GR2 uses special silicon rubber that ensures high vibration damping characteristics and long-term reliability.

 

 

High-Quality Terminals

 

 

The turntable uses gold-plated phono terminals for detachable cables, while metal shielding construction inside the case reduces the effects of external noise.