Technics introduced the prototype of their Reference class SP-10R turntable at IFA last summer.  Now, at CES 2018, Technics are showing both this plus the new Technics SL-100R.

The Technics range has extended its Reference Class line-up of audio components with its newest direct drive turntable and turntable system, the SP10-R and SL-1000R. Designed and engineered for “ultimate analogue vinyl performance”, Technics say that “the legendary SP-10 Series of Direct Drive Turntables and their accompanying Direct Drive Turntable Systems have become synonymous with direct drive technology, and are fitting symbols of the Technics brand name that continues to inspire the admiration and loyalty of audiophiles worldwide. Building upon their impressive heritage, the SP10-R and SL-1000R continue to provide a new reference point for modern high-fidelity turntable technology and lead the market for a new age”.

The SP10-R includes a double coil twin rotor-type coreless direct-drive motor with coils on both sides for 12-pole, 18-coil drive, and high enough torque to drive the heavyweight-class platter. The result is a stable rotation of 0.015% wow & flutter or less, which is considered to be the measurement limit.

The turntable also features a turntable platter with a 10-mm-thick brass weight, enhanced with tungsten weights on the outer periphery. The brass weight is laminated onto the aluminium die-cast, giving the platter a total weight of approximately 7.9 kg and an inertial mass of approximately 1 ton･cm. A deadening rubber for eliminating unwanted vibration is attached to the rear surface to form a three-layer construction to achieve an even higher rigidity and provide excellent vibration-damping characteristics. To achieve further noise reduction, the control unit is separated from the main unit and its switching power supply is equipped with unique technology that provides a voltage supply with minimal noise via a newly-developed ‘unwanted noise reduction circuit’. In addition, the communication between the main unit and the control unit are engineered to resist the effects of external noise whilst increasing reliability. The SP-10R has been developed to be completely interchangeable with previous SP-10 Series models, such as the SP-10MK2 and SP-10MK3. In order for users to continue using the turntable base and turntable of these previous systems, the shape and screw positions have been designed to allow for complete backward compatibility. The control unit is also the same shape and size as the SP-10MK2 power unit for trouble-free replacement.

The Technics SL-1000R system features an S-type universal tonearm with a lightweight, high damping magnesium tonearm pipe. The gimbal suspension construction tonearm uses high-precision bearings, and highly-skilled Japanese craftsmen handle all assembly and adjustments to achieve a high initial-motion sensitivity to precisely trace the grooves cut into the records.

OFC is used for internal wiring, so that the music signal relayed from the cartridge is not dampened and the musical energy cut into the record is not lost. The tonearm base, to which the tonearm is mounted, is strongly integrated with the turntable. To safeguard tonearm performance, the tonearm bearings, turntable bearings and needle position remain constant – providing a structure in which the vibration caused by the rigidity of the turntable base materials has minimal effect.