News

...that a better cartridge than the Ortofon Red isn't included with a $1399.00 turntable. Don't get me wrong, I have a Red in my upstairs system and it's a decent performer but this table deserves better than a $99.00 cartridge.

Glad to see technics/matsu coming around after a few years. $1200 introductory Msrp probably equates to a grand on the street and after a couple years settling to like 799 or so. Which seems appropriate. Compelling, even.

But without the strobe dots, it just looks wrong.
Like an albino snow leopard or something.
C'mon technics. Polka dots & moonbeams, please.

I don't want to spend *anything* for a phono preamp and cartridge that I won't use. Hopefully they come out with a basic model w/o those things. I think anyone who would spend that kind of coin on a turntable, would have their own preamp and cartridges they'd want to use with it.

"the continued expansion of the line sends an unmistakable message!"

Yes it does! Wonder if people still think the vinyl resurgence is due to hipsters that don't even play records? Panasonic doesn't play games.

Technics has made the turntable playable straight out of the box. Good for millennials for sure, especially with the build in phono preamp. I just hope future evolutions of this model will offer some audiophile tweaking ( replace the tonearm, stylus,...) and perhaps delete option for the phono preamp? Basically, have the turntable come without all that or make it custumizable from the factory.

It will fit nicely into the surround-based system in the family room where our receiver doesn’t have a built-in phono pre. Hoping it comes in closer to $1000 though.

I’ve been very happy with my GR that I’ve owned since they were released.

Surprised and happy to see them bringing back the SL-1500. I have an original SL-1500 from 1976 and it's still going strong after 43 years of service. The only maintenance I've ever done to it (if you can even call this maintenance) is oiling the spindle bearing every few years. That's it. The motor still runs completely silently and keeps perfect speed.

With that in mind, I won't be needing an SL-1500C because my original SL-1500 shows no signs of stopping, but I'm glad to know I could buy a brand new replacement if mine was stolen or something. ;)

It seems very strange that the 1500 is costs MORE than the 1200 considering how stripped back it is in comparison and how inexpensive the included cartridge and phono-amp are. For the price of the 1500, you could buy a 1200 and add the Ortofon Red and any number of circa-$100 phono amps that will likely out-perform the built-in Technics unit (Schitt Mani, U-Turn Orbit, etc) while still getting the pitch controls, cueing light, and 78 RPM playback. Perhaps
the stated price-points are reversed?

... Concorde 40 Anniversary cartridge.
https://www.ortofon.com/concorde-40-anniversary-p-888

Give me a G/GR Class 1500 without an arm/cartridge or preamp priced at 2499-2999.

---indicates to me that Technics is finding a market for their iconic SL product once again. And is sensibly broadening the range to accommodate their core constituencies. And that with time (-COME ON !-) they may release a straight-no-chaser model for audiophiles.

All the performance aspects, modular armboard perhaps, maybe even an outboard speed control/ power supply + umbilical option.

But not the onboard phonostage, or supplied cartridge, or anything usb or whatever. Nor the pitch slider or cuing stuff from DJ land. Just: SL CLASSIC. There you go matsushita, free consulting & brand advice.

I am excited to find a decent, new turntable with auto lift-off. However, I less enthusiastic about paying for another phono pre-amp when I have several already and probably of higher quality. Rather pay and be offered a higher-end cartridge at the time of purchase, or have a reduction in the acquisition price. Suggest a no-cartridge, no pre-amp, lower cost (naked) alternative...