Direct-Drive Technology, Improved: Technics SL-1200GR2 Turntable Delivers Superb Sound with Delta Sigma Drive Motor System, Nine-Inch Tonearm, and Two-Layer Aluminum Platter

More than five decades ago, Technics produced the world's first direct-drive turntable for consumers and revolutionized at-home analog playback by way of the device's ultra-stable rotation, near-utter removal of signal-to-noise degradation, vibration-killing build, and unerring reliability. Equipped with a new Delta Sigma Drive (ΔΣ-Drive) motor system that suppresses vibrations for the motor for incredibly smooth rotation — plus a single-rotor, surface-facing, coreless direct-drive motor that eliminates cogging and a 5.51-pound two-layer die-cast aluminum platter with underlying rubber surface and strengthening ribs — the SL-1200GR2 upholds that standard at an even higher level for modern users.

Refined with current-injection active noise canceling that combines a noise-detection device with an error amplifier, the Grand Class SL-1200GR2 adopts precision-based, hand-tuned electronic speed control and a low-noise power supply. Its ΔΣ-Drive is a pioneering system that applies Technics’ expertise in PWM signal processing. In addition to reducing high harmonics, this approach ensures more accurate rotation than possible on prior models, ensuring a rich reproduction of your LPs. Plus, this amazing turntable offers a lightning-quick start-up time of less than a second.

Supremely rigid and accurate, the 25.3-pound SL-1200GR2 boasts a chassis formed by two-layer construction comprised of BMC and die-cast aluminum. Silicon rubber insulators and microcell-polymer cylindrical tubes function both as supports and vibration-control devices. Such architecture cancels the rattle that occurs when the turntable rests 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 further stability.

In terms of tracking, Technics' signature static-balance, universal S-shaped, nine-inch tonearm and gimbal-suspension-constructed bearing section result in high initial-motion sensitivity and surgical tracing of LP grooves. You can further adjust SL-1200GR2 via the supplied balance weight, stylus-pressure control, anti-skating control, and five different options for brake control. Gold-plated phono terminals, shielded casing, a pitch-control slider, a deferrable strobe light, and push-button operation for start/stop, 33, 45, and 78RPM further enhance the functionality and fidelity. Want a dust cover? It's here, too, along with a 45RPM adapter, balance weight, auxiliary weight, overhang gauge, and phono cable.

Did we leave anything out that still has you wondering about SL-1200GR2? Call a Music Direct audio consultant at 312-433-0200 and we’ll do our best to cover all the bases — and remind you our Satisfaction Guarantee gives you ultimate peace of mind. 

“[The] pursuit of a lower noise floor, more refinement, and greater purity places Technics firmly in the audiophile here and now… GR2 played with dynamic punch with all types of music, worked well with and proved remakrably transparent to the character of cartridges and phonostages, and it was always fun to use.”
—Ken Micallef, Stereophile, Class A Recommended Component

"Thanks to its iconic status, handsome looks and superb build quality at the price, this deck could find many new owners even if it was a less proficient turntable than it actually is. But happily, it also justifies its position in the market thanks to its fine sound quality."
—Stereonet, Applause Award 

"Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a music enthusiast looking to elevate your vinyl listening experience, the SL-1200GR2 delivers exceptional sound quality and performance. Furthermore, its advanced motor drive system, refined power supply, and innovative damping and isolation mechanisms ensure that every note and nuance of your music is faithfully reproduced."
—HomeCinemaMagazine

New Motor-Drive System, ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive)
The ΔΣ-Drive is a new system that applies Technics' expertise in PWM 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.

Coreless Direct Drive Motor Achieves Stable Rotation
In 1970, Technics commercialized the world's first direct-drive turntable, and the system took the world by storm. Unlike belt drive and other systems, direct-drive systems rotate the motor at low speed and directly drive the platter, thus providing numerous advantages, such as the almost complete absence of degradation in S/N ratio due to motor vibration and deceleration mechanisms. 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." This motor was adopted for SL-1200G, which once again drew a significant response in the hi-fi market. SL-1200GR2 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.

Low-Noise Switching Circuit
The 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 100kHz limits the impact of noise on the music playback bandwidth.

Current-Injection Active Noise Canceling
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, and removes low-frequency noise more effectively than a regulator to ensure a more ideal power supply.

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 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. 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 SL-1200MK5.