Technics talk to DJs, audiophiles with SL-1200GR, SL-1210GR

The SL-1200 turntable’s rebirth is slowly becoming a righteous resurrection. At CES 2016, the Panasonic-owned Technics relaunched the iconic SL-1200 turntable, beloved by DJs the world over and discontinued in 2009, but with quite a hefty gotcha: the incoming SL-1200GAE would be a wolf in sheep’s clothing; an audiophile turntable with an audiophile price tag – US$4000.

Everything – the chassis, the platter, the plinth, the arm – had been reworked. Only the look and feel of the original had been retained.

Then came the second gotcha: the SL-1200GAE would be limited to 1200 pieces; they sold out within hours of going on sale. One German collector is rumoured to have travelled the length and breadth of the country with a roll of cash on launch day to buy up as many units as he could.

At Munich High-End a few months later we met the SL-1200G. A slightly modified version of the GAE but without the limited production numbers. At US$4000 it remained an audiophile-aimed piece. The DJ was once again held at arm’s length.

At CES 2017 signs of hope for those of skinnier wallet. Given the big bang treatment was the supposedly more affordable Technics SL-1200GR. Supposedly? Panasonic were playing hard to get on pricing.

By the time Hamburg’s Norddeutsch Hifi-Tage rolled into view last weekend, we had answers…and a bonus. German pricing on the SL-1200GR had been officially pegged at €1500 and another new model announced: the SL-1210GR would be identical to the SL-1200GR in every way except its black chassis shell. It too will sell for €1500 when stock arrives in May.

Time then to ask Panasonic EU’s Jan Hildebrandt on how the new SL-1200GR / SL-1210GR differ from the almost three times more expensive SL-1200G:

For fewer dollars down we get almost the same look and feel but an aluminium tonearm (instead of magnesium), one less layering in the platter – almost a kilo heavier than that found on the SL-1200MK5 – and a slightly smaller, less-powerful ‘coreless’ direct-drive motor.

From the press release: “The SL-1200GR/SL-1210GR 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.”

The takeaway here is one of affordability, especially for DJs with a thirst for a robust ‘table but also for audiophiles who prefer something more solid, the (theoretically) superior speed stability of direct drive, the near-instant platter spin-up or the click-able speed change – a breath of fresh air when many similarly-priced belt-driven rivals insist we lift the platter and move the belt in order to switch between 33rpm and 45rpm.

Find specifications below…

Further information: Panasonic EU

SL-1200GR/SL-1210GR Specifications

Technology for Rotational Stability

• Coreless Direct Drive Motor
• High-Precision Motor Controller

Construction for Vibration Tolerance

• High-dampening Turntable Platter
• Rigid Cabinet Construction
• Silicon Rubber Insulator

High Quality Parts

• High Sensitive Tonearm
• Gold–plated Detachable Terminals

Technics Definitive Design

Inherited SL-1200 Series

Turntable Section

• Type: Direct Drive Manual Turntable
• Turntable Speeds: 33 1/3, 45, 78 r/min
• Adjust Range: ±8%, ±16%
• Starting Torque: 2.2 kg･cm (1.91 lb-in)
• Build-up Characteristics: 0.7 s. from standstill to 33 1/3 r/min
• Wow and Flutter: 0.025% W.R.M.S.
• Rumble: 78dB (IEC 98A Weighted)
• Turntable Platter: Aluminum die-cast
• Diameter：332mm (13-5/64″)
• Weight：Approx. 2.5kg (5.5 lb) (Including rubber sheet)

Tonearm Section

• Type: Universal, Static Balance
• Effective Length: 230mm (9-1/16″)
• Overhang: 15mm (19/32″)
• Tracking Error Angle:
  Within 2° 32′ (at the outer groove of 30cm (12″) record)

Within 0° 32 (at the inner groove of 30cm (12″) record)

• Offset Angle: 22°
• Arm Height Adjustment Range: 0 – 6mm
• Stylus Pressure Adjustment Range: 0 – 4g (Direct Reading)
• Head Shell Weight: Approx. 7.6g
• Applicable Cartridge Weight Range:
  [without auxiliary weight] 5.6 – 12.0g  (14.3 – 20.7g (including head shell)
  [with auxiliary weight] 10.0 – 16.4g (18.7 – 25.1g (including head shell)
• Cartridge Mounting Dimension: JIS 12.7mm, interval
• Head Shell Terminal Lug: 1.2mmφ 4-pin terminal lug

Terminals

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

General

• Power Consumption: 11 W (Approx. 0.2W (Standby)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 453 x 173 x 372 mm
• Weight: Approx. 11.5kg