Technics SL1300 Turntable
New Generation Grand Class Turntable
Turntable with a Hi-Fi design featuring ΔΣ-Drive, a new motor drive technology that delivers high rotational accuracy and low vibration. The turntable’s new motor, three-layer platter, and high-rigidity chassis ensure even higher sound quality.
In the SL-1300G, the use of a coreless direct-drive motor with no iron core eliminates uneven rotation of the turntable known as cogging. Also, the twin-rotor construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining high torque, and reduces minute vibrations during rotation. Furthermore, the SL-1300G’s motor was redesigned to eliminate subtle vibrations that could affect sound quality. To improve rigidity, the same reinforcement pattern as the Reference Class SL-1000R/SP-10R was used for the coil mounting base.
Coreless Direct Drive Motor Achieving Stable Rotation
In the SL-1300G, the use of a coreless direct-drive motor with no iron core eliminates uneven rotation of the turntable known as cogging. Also, the twin-rotor construction reduces the bearing load while maintaining high torque, and reduces minute vibrations during rotation. Furthermore, the SL-1300G’s motor was redesigned to eliminate subtle vibrations that could affect sound quality. To improve rigidity, the same reinforcement pattern as the Reference Class SL-1000R/SP-10R was used for the coil mounting base.
Motor-Drive System, ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive)
In 1970, Technics developed the world’s first direct drive turntable.Direct drive turntable systems helped to significantly improve issues with previous turntables, such as S/N ratios, and wow and flutter. Used by broadcasting stations for their outstanding performance and reliability, these turntables came to dominate the industry. In 2016, Technics developed the coreless direct drive motor, which helped to eliminate a mechanical issue known as cogging. Combining this motor with the latest digital rotational control technologies helped to realise a dramatic improvement in sound quality. Technics has continued to engage in R&D to further improve the audio quality of analogue vinyl and better draw out the charms of the music, and as a result has successfully developed the ΔΣ-Drive, which boasts significant advancements over previous direct drives. This development marks the next generation of Technics’ direct drive turntable systems.
Vibration Resistance Design
Three-layered Turntable Platter
The turntable has a three-layered construction with a rigidly combined brass and aluminium die-cast platter. With a deadening rubber covering its entire rear surface to eliminate unnecessary resonance, thereby achieving high rigidity and vibration damping. This delivers smooth rotational stability and inertial mass surpassing the SP-10MK2, the direct-drive turntable standard used by broadcast stations worldwide, as well as having more than twice the inertial mass of the SL-1200MK5.
Two-layered Cabinet Construction
The SL-1300G ensures high rigidity by using a body with a two-layered construction that solidly unifies the BMC and the aluminium die-cast chassis. Reinforcing ribs have been added between the motor/tone arm on the top panel. This improves rigidity and vibration damping characteristics.
High-level Balance Adjustment
When the weight distribution of the turntable is uneven, excess vibration or noise occurs during rotation, which causes degradation in sound quality. Therefore, the balance of the turntable is adjusted at the factory by using specialized high-precision balance adjustment equipment for each and every item after the turntable is assembled. Turntables that have undergone adjustment are labelled with a sticker reading “BALANCED” to indicate that adjustment has been done.
Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply
Low-Noise Switching Circuit
Use of a high-speed switching power supply ensures a stable supply capacity and less ripple and humming. Applying a switching power supply to a turntable eliminates the need for a large transformer and countermeasures for the ensuing mechanical vibrations. A switching frequency of above 100 kHz limits the impact of noise on the music playback bandwidth.
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.
Tonearm Achieving High Initial-Motion Sensitivity
The tonearm, a crucial component for precise reading, tracks the record's rotation. Inherited from Technics, it employs a lightweight, rigid aluminium pipe in the traditional static-balance universal Sshape. Featuring a gimbal suspension and high-precision bearing, it achieves high initial-motion sensitivity through manual assembly by skilled Japanese artisans. This meticulous construction ensures accurate tracing of record grooves. Plus, it includes an auxiliary weight, providing flexibility for a variety of pickup cartridges.
Eco-friendly Cushioning/Packaging Materials
The SL-1300G adopts eco-friendly packaging materials to help curtail marine plastics and other environmental problems. The cushioning has been changed from styrene foam to corrugated cardboard, reducing the amount of plastic used by around 70% compared to existing product packaging. We have also taken steps to improve convenience by combining accessories into one box while maintaining the strength of the cushioning to protect against the product’s heavy weight.
