Technics SL-1200M7L and Technics SL-G700M2 Review
The new media player SL-G700M2 is becoming the hot and possibly even sold-out Technics highlight. The SL-1200M7L, as the 50th-anniversary edition of the cult turntable, probably already is. What makes the two so desirable?
By Matthias Böde
Stupid question, right? Of course, because both have an – excuse me – coolness factor that approaches infinity. With the turntable, the matter is clear from the start: The SL-1200, hardened by exactly five decades of hard disco and club operation, is like no other, super cool and thus the dream of entire generations of young music listeners who also discover vinyl records through it. Here, it appears at a price of just under $1,050 as a limited “50th Anniversary” edition of the now seventh development stage of the legendary turntable in bright red with golden tonearm and individually numbered plaque. There are six more colors, including mainly more subdued tones.
The new Technics app runs smoothly and offers a multitude of functions. But even without it, you have versatile access.
A total of 12,000 units of the anniversary model SL-1200M7L, presented in the spring, were built. Of these, 7,000 went to Europe. However, Technics’ parent company Panasonic has already fully delivered the German contingent to retailers. It’s quite possible that the last objects of your desire are going over the counter right now as you read these lines. So what? Then you can console yourself with the technically identical standard version offered in black and silver, and save $105 to boot. That’s nice too!
Technics’ brand-new media player SL-G700M2 may be less iconic and striking than its turntable counterpart, which remains recognizable even from a hundred meters away thanks to its distinctive stroboscope markings on the outwardly flattened platter and slider for smooth speed changes. But perhaps it is the real star of this family gathering. Because the successor to the just discontinued SL-G700, which due to high demand as well as bottlenecks regarding its disc drive and other parts plus pandemic-related delays temporarily turned into a hard-to-get rarity with endless delivery times, picks up the baton where it left off.
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Multiple Comfort Options…
Even those who do not stream with the naturally network-capable player prepared for all more or less important music services will find great joy in it. Naturally, the M2, like its predecessor, plays SACDs again, which must have been extremely difficult for DVD-Audio system inventor Panasonic. But the love of Asian music listeners for SACD is simply too great. Unlike before, there is now, in addition to two ports for USB sticks and hard drives, also a similar interface for the computer.
Crazy: Already from the stick, the pleasantly straightforward Technics accepted Quadruple-DSD files with 11.2 megahertz bandwidth. And if anyone thinks this only happens with a lot of effort: On the contrary; everything runs so quickly, smoothly, and without hiccups as if it were any small MP3 format. Overall, the smooth, uncomplicated processes greatly enhance the enjoyment of the ultra-modern Technics, which, due to its versatility, deserves the label “jack of all trades” like hardly any other component. And the new app also does its part!
The operation of the media player, among other things thanks to the partially newly assigned, very useful remote control, raises hardly any puzzles, and with the vinyl turntable, you feel at home right away. A light press on the flat start/stop button lets the platter quickly spin up to the desired speed – and stop just as quickly.
Those who use it professionally can preset the torque of the speedy direct drive, which the SL-1200M7L shares with its “domesticated” colleagues SL-1500C or SL-100C, as well as the stopping power, in four stages. The backspin function popular among DJs can also be activated there. This is done via tiny DIP switches beneath the two-layer platter. This way, the club turntable can also be made fit for 78 rpm records, and if you prefer blue for the strobe and LED lighting instead of red: here you go!
The numerous options of the SL-G700M2, on the other hand, hide in its easily accessible menu. From switching between layers of hybrid SACDs to volume control of the headphone output, which is suitable even for high-impedance models, almost everything can be influenced and adjusted.
…for Professionals and Hi-Fi Enthusiasts
Even the “Master Quality Authenticated” system (MQA), which increases the sound level of more compact music formats by embedding additional data, can be switched off. This option, which, with corresponding programs – even an MQA-CD – allows you to directly experience the benefit of the smart software, is probably exclusive to the Technics. According to insider information, this slipped through to the licensor when releasing the first 700. And now the M2 offers it as well.
Technically, however, it also has some important innovations compared to its predecessor: First, in the form of the ES9026 PRO DAC chip from US specialist ESS Technology, which replaces the previously used AKM AK4497 that the Japanese manufacturer Asahi Kasei had discontinued. Under a shielding metal cover sit two efficient “High Speed” switching power supplies for the digital circuits and the D/A converter/output stage. While the first is clocked at 200 kilohertz, the other even runs at 300 kHz, which avoids interference but above all ensures a considerable distance of the clock frequency from the audible range.
The developers invested a lot of brainpower in the data stream treatment called “Coherent Processing”. For sound reasons, the clever Japanese rely on a phase-coherent, i.e., as time-accurate as possible digital filter. This usually inevitably entails a slight drop in the highest treble range, which is normally accepted. Not by Technics, where they cleverly counteract the loss even before signal processing, thus achieving impulse and frequency linearity at the same time.
TEST EQUIPMENT
Turntables: Pro-Ject X1, Sonoro Platinum SE (Phono Amp deactivated)
Phono Preamps: Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL, Nagra Classic Phono
Media/CD Players: T+A MP3100HV, Musical Fidelity m3scd
Preamplifiers/Power Amplifiers: Accustic Arts Pre-amp III/ Amp II-MK4
Integrated Amplifier: Symphonic Line RG14 Edition MK5S
Speakers: B&W 801 D4, DALI Epicon 6
Phono Cables: Silent Wire NF-5 Phono
And if that wasn’t enough, the SL-G700M2, through a clever design of operating and reference voltage, was able to significantly reduce power supply noise according to the manufacturer, which should directly impact the signal-to-noise ratio of the D/A converter stage. In fact, the device delivered record-breaking values, not only but especially in this regard.
Strong in Form in Terms of Sound…
That the techno-refinements of the disco turntable, whose aluminum die-cast frame is supposed to be resonance-damped by the combination with the glass fiber reinforced special plastic ABS, appear simpler in view of the high-tech cascades of its network player colleague, is the nature of the matter. On the other hand, even the simplest version of the direct drive introduced by Technics with the new 1200 line in 2016 is a small precision wonder.
In the left section of the SL-G700M2, shielded by metal plates, are its two switching power supplies clocked at 200 kHz (digital) and 300 kHz (analog) 1. In the middle sits the also encapsulated disc drive 2. Behind another shield and as far away from the power supplies as possible, the combined D/A converter/output stage 3 along with the new DAC chip from ESS Technology 4 was placed. Discretely constructed SMD circuits with high current delivery capability 5 work in the output.
At the tip of the smoothly and play-free mounted S-shaped tonearm, we placed Ortofon’s proven MM cartridge 2M Red for $126. For professional use, the SL-1200M7L also gladly accepts one of the cartridges with integrated SME flange from the Danes’ Club series, be it the long-established, rustic Concorde DJ or the brand new, more sophisticated Concorde Elite (about $126/$420).
With all three, the Technics gave a great performance. The factory setting at the second-lowest motor torque proved to be just right for hi-fi purposes, as Diana Krall’s “‘Deed I Do” had just the right swing and charm. At the minimum value, the timing seemed a bit delayed; at the highest level, the playback became somewhat strict and slightly glassy in the upper ranges. But just find the best position for your taste—and your music!
Like its visually less flashy colleagues with identical tonearm and drive, the SL-1200M7L proves to be a confident, refined in every detail hi-fi turntable for all styles. It indulges in disco fever mainly visually—and of course in the form of its special functions.
…and Almost Without Competition
This sophistication was even more radiated by the sound image of the multi-player. And that’s because—provided it’s connected with the correct network phase (see diagram)—of the almost complete absence of artificial brightness or superficial presence. The performance of the jack-of-all-trades is rather excellently organized, clear, and of certain audiophile elegance. When playing our test tracks of any format and origin—we listened to all kinds of discs including MQA-coded ones as well as streams and programs from USB storage devices in various resolutions—the Technics not only quickly adjusted to any challenge but also presented the tracks and files with explicit cleanliness and homogeneity, which here do not exclude each other, plus a touch of high-end nobility.
If you like, you can switch the analog output to adjustable mode and then control power amplifiers or active speakers with the SL-G700M2 without any intermediary. This certainly works flawlessly thanks to the powerful, discreetly built output stages. Admittedly, you can’t replace a top-class preamp this way—but you have to have one of those first.
And so it could go on longer, because the disparate Technics pair convinced across the board, has hardly any competition in this form, but many strengths. No doubt: This “hot hi-fi merchandise” will be in high demand! And whoever comes first, listens first…
CUSTOM MIX
Underneath the platter is a DIP switch bank, with which the stop time of the platter and the motor torque, as well as the 78 rpm function, the reverse mode, and the color of the stroboscope—red or blue—can each be set in four stages.
Oh, didn’t get the limited “50th Anniversary” edition anymore? The normal SL-1200Mk7 is available in black or, as shown on the right, in silver for just under $945.
VERSATILE
Don’t be afraid of the many buttons. You can master their use in no time. The remote control allows access to most of the functions and thus—hello, network abstainers!—almost makes the app unnecessary.
Technics SL-1200M7L Specs
Price: around $1,050 (without cartridge, available in seven different colors)
Dimensions: 46x17x36 cm (WxHxD)
Warranty: 2 years
Even in its seventh generation, Technics’ cult turntable has lost none of its original fascination. This one remains for 50 years both a workhorse in discos and an iconic showpiece for the home system that competently guides even high-quality cartridges through the groove. The “Anniversary” model impresses with its unusual optics, which set color accents in the system, with the golden tonearm emphasizing the exclusive note. The recently heavily revised direct drive secures the existence of the long-runner for the next decades.
Technics SL-1200M7L Measurements
Laboratory Commentary
Lab Comment: The lab results are excellent both for speed consistency and for extremely low rumble. Even much more expensive turntables can’t do better. The very slight tempo deviation confirms the optimal function of the quartz control.
Features:
- Three adjustable speeds over a wide range
- Variable tonearm height
- Comprehensive adjustability of drive properties
- Stylus illumination
- Dust cover
Test:
- Sound Level: 64% → 6.4/10
- Price/Performance: ★★★★★ Outstanding
Technics SL-G700M2 Specs
Price: around $3,150 (in silver or black)
Dimensions: 43x10x41 cm (WxHxD)
Warranty: 2 years
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Digital Zero): 114 dB
- Output Impedance Cinch/XLR: 280/520 Ohm
- Output Voltage Cinch/XLR: 2.14 V each
- Distortion Factor at -9dBFS: 0.005%
- Distortion Factor at 0dBFS: 0.0018%
- Jitter: 3.4 ns
- Deviation from fs: 0.1 ppm
- Amplitude of Data Stream: 493 mV
- Max Headphone Output (1% THD): 3.17 V (at 100 Ohm)
- Power Consumption Standby/Idle: 2.2 W / 26 W
The more technically refined successor to the popular SL-G700 runs even smoother, is impeccably manufactured, and prepared for all eventualities of the modern media world. This “jack of all trades” is largely without competition in the market. And the sound is also impressive—10 points!
Technics SL-G700M2 Measurements
Features:
- Analog output in Cinch and XLR
- Digital inputs for coaxial cable, optical, and USB-B
- Digital output via coaxial or optical connection
- Two USB ports for sticks and hard drives
- Dimmable and switchable display
- Streaming support for Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, and Amazon Music
- Pre-configured Chromecast, AirPlay
- MQA (switchable), Bluetooth, Roon-ready
- Extensive function menu, remote control
Test:
- Sound Level: 83% → 8.3/10
- Price/Performance: ★★★★★ Outstanding
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