Technics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable

Description

Technics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable

Launched in 2016 the Technics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable combined Technics‘ traditional analogue technology and advanced digital technology, while redesigning parts throughout.

Its outstanding performance literally rocked the hi-fi market and redefined the reference for direct-drive turntables.

Parts that were inherited from the SL-1200G were newly developed for the SL-1200GR, beginning with the coreless direct-drive motor and precise motor control technology that eliminated the cogging that originated from rotation irregularity, and including a low-vibration, high-rigidity platter and high-sensitivity tonearm.

By these measures, the level of performance clearly outperforms the usual standards of its class.

FAQ’s

1. What is the Technics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S?
   The Technics SL-1200GEG-S is a high-end direct-drive turntable from the Grand Class series, engineered for audiophile vinyl playback. It features a coreless direct-drive motor, precision tonearm design, and premium construction to deliver exceptional speed stability and sound quality.
2. Is the SL-1200GEG-S suitable for DJ use?
   While the SL-1200GEG-S shares the iconic SL-1200 heritage, it is designed primarily for high-fidelity home listening rather than DJ performance. Its focus is on sonic precision, low vibration, and refined engineering rather than club functionality.
3. Does the Technics SL-1200GEG-S require a phono preamp?
   Yes, the SL-1200GEG-S requires a phono stage (phono preamp) to connect to most modern amplifiers or powered speakers. It does not include a built-in phono preamp, so you’ll need either an amplifier with a phono input or an external phono stage.
4. What type of drive system does the SL-1200GEG-S use?
   The SL-1200GEG-S uses a coreless direct-drive motor system that eliminates cogging and provides highly accurate rotational stability. This design ensures consistent speed accuracy and reduced vibration for improved audio performance.
5. What makes the SL-1200GEG-S different from standard SL-1200 models?
   The Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S features upgraded materials, a more advanced motor system, improved chassis damping, and refined tonearm engineering compared to standard models. These enhancements deliver lower noise, greater detail retrieval, and a more immersive vinyl listening experience.

Features

CORELESS DIRECT DRIVE MOTOR

Conventional analogue turntables have problems with degradation in sound quality caused by factors such as minute speed vibration during rotation and rotation irregularity called “cogging.” In theTechnics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable System, the use of a newly developed coreless direct-drive motor with no iron core eliminates cogging.

Also, the twin-rotor construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining high torque and also reduces minute vibration during rotation. These factors enable reproduction of the warm, exquisitely detailed sound etched on analogue records.

HIGH-PRECISION MOTOR CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

The application of motor control technology developed for Blu-ray devices and switching the drive mode depending on the operational status of the motor achieve a high-starting torque and high-speed stability.

THREE-LAYERED TURNTABLE PLATTER

TheTechnics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable System has a three-layered construction with a rigidly combined brass and aluminium die-cast platter. With a deadening rubber covering its entire rear surface to eliminate unnecessary resonance, thereby achieving high rigidity and vibration damping.

This delivers smooth rotational stability and inertial mass surpassing the SP-10MK2, the direct-drive turntable standard used by broadcast stations worldwide, as well as having more than twice the inertial mass of the SL-1200MK5.

HIGH-LEVEL BALANCE ADJUSTMENT

When the weight distribution of the turntable is uneven, excess vibration or noise occurs during rotation, which causes degradation in sound quality.

Therefore, the balance of the Technics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable System is adjusted at the factory by using specialized high-precision balance adjustment equipment for each and every item after the turntable is assembled. Turntables that have undergone adjustment are labelled with a sticker reading “BALANCED” to indicate that adjustment has been done.

BALANCE ADJUSTER

“BALANCED” sticker indicating balance adjustment completed.  Exhaustive measurement performed to examine whether the surface deflection of the platter is within limits.

HIGH-SENSITIVE TONEARM

The tonearm on the Technics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable System employs lightweight magnesium which has a high damping effect, with cold drawing improving the characteristics of the material and achieving the high-precision required.

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

HIGH-PRECISION BEARINGS

Supplied auxiliary weights support a wide variety of cartridges. Four-layered Cabinet Construction.

A hairline-processed, 10-mm-thick top panel of immaculate aluminium has been added to the previous three-layered construction of aluminium die-cast, BMC, and heavyweight-class rubber on the SL-1200MK5. This four-layered construction combines high rigidity with a high-quality finish and feel.

HIGH-QUALITY TERMINALS

The Technics Grand Class SL-1200GEG-S Direct Drive Turntable System’s use of brass-milled, gold-plated phono terminals and ground terminals prevent degradation in sound quality while enabling the easy attaching and detaching of cables. Also the use of metal shielding construction inside the case reduces the effects of external noise.

• Brass-milled PHONO Output Terminals
• AC Input Terminals (Detectable Input)

Specifications

Turntable section

• Type Direct Drive Manual Turntable
• Turntable Speeds 33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm
• Adjust Range ±8%, ±16%
• Starting Torque 3.3cm (2.8 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. (JIS C5521)
• Rumble 78dB (IEC 98A Weighted)
• Turntable Platter Brass and Aluminium diecast combined
• Diameter: 332mm (13-5/64″)
• Weight: 3.6kg (7 15/16 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 – 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) 6 – 12.0g
  • 3 – 20.7g (including headshell) (with small auxiliary weight) 10.0 – 16.4g
  • 7 – 25.1g (including headshell) (with large auxiliary weight) 14.3 – 19.8g
  • 0 – 28.5g (including headshell)
• Cartridge Mounting Dimension JIS 12.7 mm Interval
• Head Shell Terminal Lug 1.2 mm φ 4-pin Terminal Lug

Terminals

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

General

• Power Supply AC120 V, 60 Hz
• Power Consumption 14 W Approx. 0.2W (Standby)

Dimensions

• Dimensions (W x H x D) 453 x 173 x 372 mm
• Weight Approx. 18 kg
• 39.7lbs

Accessories

• Turntable, Turntable sheet, Dust cover, EP record adaptor, Balance weight, Auxiliary weight(S), Auxiliary weight(L), Head shell, Overhang gauge, Screw set for cartridge, PHONO cable, PHONO earth lead, AC power supply cord, Screw set for turntable, Owner’s Manual