Technics SL-1200GR2 Direct Drive Turntable System

Technics introduces the next generation of Direct Drive Turntables with a revolutionary new drive control method for smooth, accurate rotational stability and a new power supply for an exceptionally low noise floor.

This new model was planned to build on the reputation of our existing design and developed the new GR2 around the iconic iron-coreless direct drive motor with its superior rotational precision.
We looked at how we have improved signal precision in our digital audio components, especially at the Reference amplifier SU-R1000, which optimizes vinyl analogue signals using complex digital technology.

It’s been our goal to take our direct drive technology and take it to the next level in terms of precision.
This was achievable by reducing motor vibration through optimizing the driving sine waves via the PWM signal generation using ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) Modulation, as employed in our full-digital amplifiers.

The First Stage of The New Generation of Technics’ Direct Drive Turntables

The motor control signal for the new SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 is a huge leap in performance in comparison with earlier versions.
Looking back to the 1970s, the motor control sine wave signal was generated by an analogue RF oscillator, the precision of which left room for smoother rotation.

Coreless Direct Drive Motor Achieving Stable Rotation

After the revival of the Technics SL-1200 turntable in 2016, the new SL-1200GAE – along with the much-improved motor by an iron-coreless stator – inherited a new motor control based on PWM for D/A conversion, using a micro controller including a sine-wave ROM.
This added remarkable impact on the whole rotational precision and helped achieving lower motor vibrations. However, despite this approach, the sine wave for motor control was still not 100% accurate.

Therefore, in the new GR2, the motor control signal is generated by the usage of a PWM signal generated by ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) Modulation, a method of high precision 1bit D/A conversion which is part of the signal procession in Technics’ full-digital amplifiers that use our proprietary technology JENO Engine.

By this approach, consequently given the name ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive), a perfect sine wave is generated, and motor vibrations are radically reduced.

New Motor-Drive System, ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive)

This has a significant impact especially on the frequency range where the motor vibrations overlap with the natural resonance of the tonearm/pickup cartridge combination.
Thus, the tracking precision is drastically improved. The result is a stunning signal precision with an accurate sound stage, superb imaging, and a very low noise floor.

In combination with the rotation feedback system based on speed detection by the usage of a frequency generator (FG) which works on magnetic power generation, the rotational speed precision of the new GR2 type is exceptional.

Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply

Along with the motor control, the general power supply has also been the focus of engineering.

The new Multi-stage Silent Power Supply of the SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 is a combination of a low-noise, high-speed power supply working at over 100kHz and a noise canceling circuit inherited from our reference class turntable SL-1000R, cancelling remaining noise by injecting the reversed-phase current of the actual noise.
By this method, a very low noise floor is achieved, enabling exceptional signal-to-noise ratio, improving the overall signal performance.

Current Injection Active Noise Cancelling

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. It removes low frequency noise more effectively than a regulator to ensure a more ideal power supply.

Most of the mechanical design of the new GR2 type has been retained from its predecessor:
Kept were the rock-solid 2-layered bottom chassis made of aluminum and BMC (Bulk Moulding Compound), the combination of which enables high resistance against vibrations, the 2-layered platter made of aluminum and dampened by heavy-weight rubber, the high-sensitivity S-shaped aluminum tonearm and the effective insulator feet.

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 aluminium 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 aluminium die-cast portion was optimized by simulation. At 2.5 kg (including the rubber mat), the SL-1210GR2 platter is 0.8 kg heavier than that of the previous SL-1200MK5. 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 the SL-1200MK5.

Tonearm Achieving High Initial-Motion Sensitivity

The tonearm tracks the rotation of the record and enables reading with high precision, and the tonearm inherited by Technics is the traditionally used static-balance universal S-shaped tonearm, employing an aluminium pipe with excellent light weight and rigidity for the material of the tonearm pipe.

With its gimbal suspension construction, the tonearm bearing section uses a cut-processed housing that employs high-precision bearings, as in the SL-1200G and SL-1200GR.

The high initial-motion sensitivity of 5 mg or less is achieved through manual assembly and adjustment by skilled Japanese artisans.
This enables the grooves etched into the records to be accurately traced.
In addition, one type of auxiliary weight comes included, and the cartridge can be swapped with a variety of other cartridges to match the music genre or feeling.
(Applicable cartridge weight when using the supplied auxiliary weight: 10 - 16.4 g (not including the supplied head shell))

The overall design has been gently refined:

A new color match of all parts and elements as well as the new body surface touch quality adds even higher desirability to the new GR2 generation of the SL-1200/1210.

High-Grade Parts

Two-Layered Cabinet Construction

The SL-1210GR2 ensures high rigidity by using a body with a two-layered construction that solidly unifies the BMC and the aluminium die-cast chassis.

High-Damping Silicon Insulators

For the insulators supporting the body, the SL-1210GR2 uses special silicon rubber that ensures high vibration damping characteristics and long-term reliability.

High-Quality Terminals

The turntable uses gold-plated phono terminals for detachable cables, while metal shielding construction inside the case reduces the effects of external noise.

To reduce environmental impact of our packaging while ensuring that Technics products are fully protected throughout their journey to our consumers, the new packaging for 1200GR2/1210GR2 is free of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Instead, it is made of smart shaped cardboard, maintaining safe protection of the product, also including a cardboard box for the accessories, allowing ease of removal and storage. Technics is currently working to expand new packaging to other line-ups and integrate more recyclable content into packaging materials in the future.