Panasonic Unveils New Technics SL-1200G Turntable

A lot of new technology and gadgets are being unveiled this week at CES in Las Vegas. The bulk of these will be for more general consumer tech items, but there are also some premieres for music including Panasonic's new Technics SL-1200G and the upgraded, special edition version SL-1200GAE.

The technics SL-1200 class have been DJ staples for decades. Since their introduction in the 1970s, radio DJs and live performers have been using them as their turntables of choice because the direct-drive capability was reliable and easy to use.

Technics have not upgraded the SL-1200 class since their 2008 version, the MK6, which was released in Japan.

Now the company is back eight years later with two brand new turntables within the 1200 model. The company made the smart choice to keep the same classic form that has made this model so popular and easy to use.

One of the main differences is that they upgraded the belt drive for Hi-Fi use, which is important for vinyl listening and any sort of audio that may be linked through the turntables. They are also putting more emphasis on the listening experience for non-professionals. Prior editions have had interiors that weren't stable enough to support an optimal casual listening experience due to slight vibrations from the model's iron core.

Now they have removed the iron core and added an electronic motor to make it even quieter, while any remaining vibrations will be evened out by rotational positioning sensors according to Gizmodo.

The standard edition will be the SL G-1200G, which will probably become standard by DJs and in clubs soon after its release in late 2016. Then there is the rare 50^th year anniversary collector's edition "Grand Class SL 1200GAE," which will run this summer and only 1,200 units will be made available.