Why the Technics SL1300G is the last Turntable you'll ever Need
A Timeless Turntable Built for Years of Vinyl Listening
The second turntable to feature Technics Delta Sigma Drive Technology, the SL-1300G Grand Class Turntable delivers outstanding performance in a premium package. The SL-1300G sits comfortably between the SL-1200GR2 and SL-1200G-S, rounding out Technics' line of Grand Class Turntables. Technics has strategically provided high-performing turntables for audiophiles and vinyl lovers at every price point. As a company constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible from a turntable, Technics pulled out all the stops to make the SL-1300G a next-generation direct drive turntable worthy of its hi-fi status.
Why Technics Turntables Became the Industry Standard ft. Bill Voss
PROS
- Timeless, Built-to-Last Turntable
- Accurate, Smooth & Realistic Sound
- Easy-to-use, intuitive for all listeners
CONS
- No cartridge included
- Phono Outputs in a hard-to-reach spot
Design
For most of us listening to vinyl is a relaxing experience. With the exception of swapping the occasional cartridge, it's fairly uncomplicated and highly intuitive, so the need for fancy bells and whistles doesn't apply to most of us vinyl lovers. Technics turntables cater to a variety of vinyl enthusiasts, from entry-level to purists, DJs, and audio professionals. The SL-1300G sits right in the middle of the entry-level to dedicated listener market, eliminating the pitch slider, platter strobe, and cueing light–all features incorporated into their "DJ Styled" 1200 series turntables–i.e. the SL-1200GR2 and SL-1200G-S. The SL-1300G takes the more minimalistic approach of the SL-1500C, which doesn't feature these bells and whistles. And aesthetically speaking, the sleek control-free face is a nice touch.
With Technics' turntables, as you go up the line and price increases, you get higher-quality materials, more advanced technology, and so on. While the SL-1300G looks just like the SL-1500C, it weighs almost twice as much. The SL-1500C sits in Technics' entry-level "Premium Class" while the SL-1300G boasts the "Grand Class" status. So with that being said, the weight difference is attributed to the build quality and internal tech. At 28.7 lbs., the SL-1300G is heavier than the SL-1200GR2 but lighter than the SL-1200G-S.
The SL-1300G is available in two colors–black and silver–which both look incredible with the brass weight on the platter. With basic functionality like the start-stop button, power button, speed select buttons, and manual arm-height adjuster on the tonearm, it's pretty straightforward. High-damping silicon insulators are used on the SL-1300G's feet, providing long-term reliability and obvious high vibration damping characteristics. For I/O, the SL-1300G uses gold-plated phono terminals with metal shielding construction for a clearer sound. Connecting this to your existing audio setup is easy.
Something minute but still cool to mention is SL-1300G's packaging. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of packing materials to ensure your turntable arrives at your doorstep unbothered. The SL-1300G adopts eco-friendly packaging materials to help "curtail marine plastics and other environmental problems," said Technics. The cushioning has been changed from styrene foam to corrugated cardboard which reduces the amount of plastic by around 70% compared to its existing product packaging. That statistic alone makes me wonder if they'll implement this as a standard moving forward. And if so, can they do it without increasing the price?
Setting up and installing the SL-1300G was pretty painless. It was packaged beautifully with individual layers that helped guide you through the installation process. All-in-all it took less than 15 minutes to put the player together, install the Ortofon cartridge, and set the tracking force.
Vibration-resistant Construction
Technics uses a vibration-resistant design consisting of three parts: a three-layered turntable platter, two-layered cabinet construction, and a high-level balance adjustment.
For the three-layered turntable platter, a brass weight and aluminum die-cast plate are tightly integrated and then backed by a deadening rubber sheet to prevent unnecessary resistance. This structure provides a large inertial mass, high rigidity, and excellent vibration-damping capacity.
The two-layered cabinet is made by tightly integrating a chassis made from BMC that has high specific gravity and rigidity with an aluminum die-cast top plate that has a special rib pattern on the back to increase rigidity and vibration damping capacity.
To eliminate the possibility of uneven weight distribution on the turntable once you get it home and set up, Technics uses specialized high-precision balance adjustment equipment to adjust the balance of the turntable before it leaves the factory. Why does this matter? Uneven weight distribution can cause excess vibration or noise during rotation, which degrades the sound quality and nobody wants that. The SL-1300G will come with a sticker reading "BALANCED" on it upon arrival, and if for any reason your turntable becomes out of balance, Technics has a three year parts and labor warranty, so I imagine you could get it fixed.
High InitialMotion Sensitivity Tonearm
The SL-1300G's tonearm is made of light, highly rigid aluminum, as well as Technics gimbal suspension construction and high-precision bearings, which attain high initial-motion sensitivity. I recently sat down with Technics Business Development Manager Bill Voss for a lengthy interview on Technics turntables, and he shared with me a story behind Technics' new tonearm design.
"A lot of care went into the design of the new tonearm, and with the G models when they were brought out in 2016, there was a gentleman who actually worked on the original 1200 design team–guys like 94 years old–but his company employs elderly engineers to keep their skills sharp, and his company was brought in to assist with achieving the same highly sensitive rating that the legendary EPA 100 tonearm had. A lot of re-engineering has been done to the gimbal suspension and as much as it looks the same, the sensitivity has been improved to the same level as the EPA 100."
As you know, not every record is perfect, especially if you're sourcing vintage gems. They can have warps and eccentricities that affect the sound quality negatively. But with a properly fitted turntable like the SL-1300G you can experience exceptional sound quality–even from a record with warps and scratches. How? The high initial-motion sensitivity tonearm will recognize those eccentricities and blow right past them, tracking almost anything so you don't experience any sonic deficiencies.
Sound
Like most high-end audiophile brands, Technics Turntables have a "signature" sound. Generally speaking, they're characterized as accurate with subtle nuances and brilliance. Now this will change ever so slightly depending on the model, but it's a good representation of what you can expect from a Technics turntable. If you haven't already gathered, Technics is a manufacturer dedicated to eliminating vibrations and noise, so it's no surprise that their "signature" sound reflects those efforts.
I grew up with a turntable in our house, an inexpensive sub $200 turntable, but nonetheless a turntable. It still sits in my dad's office today and it has a distinctly analog sound quality: Warm, fuzzy, and full of character. So you can only imagine my reaction when I experienced the sound quality of an audiophile-grade turntable for the first time.
TESTING SETUP:
Blue Dragon Power Cable > Technics SL-1300G Turntable > Black Dragon Phono Cable (RCA to RCA) > Manley Labs Oasis Phono Preamplifier
Manley Labs Phono Preamplifier > Black Dragon Interconnect Cable > Chord Electronics ULTIMA PRE 2 Preamplifier > Black Dragon Interconnect Cable > Chord ULTIMA 6 Amplifier > Black Dragon Speaker Cable > Focal Sopra No.2 Loudspeakers
I want to give a quick shoutout to the Manley Labs Oasis Phono Preamp. We had the opportunity to sit down with EveAnna Manley, CEO and Co-Founder of Manley Labs, discuss the Oasis, and she wasn't kidding when she said it delivers some IMPRESSIVE power. It delivered enough gain to the setup that I never had to turn the volume above a 5 to listen comfortably.
Because the new SL-1300G doesn't come with a pre-installed cartridge there's a lot of flexibility in how it can sound right out of the box. If you want a richer sound you can easily add a cartridge like the Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze. To experience the SL-1300G's sound quality as accurately as possible I paired it with the Ortofon Concorde Music Black Phono Cartridge, a transparent and articulate-sounding cartridge. It's the perfect cartridge for discerning listeners who want to hear every micro detail and nuance. We carry the entire collection of Ortofon Concorde Music series phono cartridges, which are EASY to install–I'm talking your child could do it, that's how easy it is. No tools required.
We have a huge vinyl collection in our demo room so I felt like a kid in a candy store picking and choosing which records I wanted to spin. First on the playback list was a personal favorite, Tame Impala's Innerspeaker album. From there I slowly traveled back in time to the Beatles' Rubber Soul Album, a copy of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite from 1978, Fleetwood Mac's Best Hits, and dozens of other one-off songs from various albums. Positioned comfortably in the middle of the Sopra Loudspeakers, I sat back and melted into my seat.
Right off the bat I noticed the technical precision of the SL-1300G. Newer records like Tame Impala's collection were clear and articulate. Kevin Parker, the man behind the mask of Tame Impala, is a synth lover. I'd classify him as psychedelic rock/pop with complex, dynamic songs often featuring outros and interludes on his albums. I've easily listened to all of his albums over 100 times on dozens of IEMs, headphones, car speakers, and stereo systems–qualifying me as a self-proclaimed Tame Impala expert. This is the first time I've listened to his albums on vinyl–and it definitely won't be my last. I'm sitting here thinking to myself "So this is how it's supposed to sound?"
There was a level of realism from every song I listened to on the SL-1300G that made me feel like I was sitting in right in the middle of the action. Tshocksky's Nutcracker Suite took my breath away. Here I am sitting in the middle of our demo room, but when I close my eyes, I'm in the orchestra pit watching sugar plum fairies dance across the stage. Classical and jazz are two genres that I've always had trouble connecting with emotionally. The writer in me always attributed it to the lack of words, but today I had an epiphany–It was the gear. I couldn't connect with the instrumentation. The SL-1300G combined with the transparent Ortofon cartridge, Sopra loudspeakers, and Black Dragon cables created the perfect storm, delivering a rich, highly emotional presentation.
For me, the true magic of the SL-1300G came to life when I listened to older records. I think we can all agree there's something indescribable about the authentic warmth and subtle nuances of an old record. It's inevitable that a vinyl record will get damaged over the years, and Technics goes to great lengths to make sure even the oldest records with scratches and eccentricities sound practically brand new. Growing up with a turntable I listened to my fair share of beat up records, most of which were a result of my little brother and I getting our grimy little fingers on them. On a sub $200 record player like the one I grew up with, those scratches were clear as day, but on the SL-1300G, the tonearm simply glides over them. No pennies needed here!
Solitude Is Bliss
By Tame Impala
(Innerspeaker)
In My Life
By The Beatles
(Rubber Soul)
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
By Tchaikovsky
(Nutcracker Suite)
Gossip
By Tame Impala
(Currents)
One of the big takeaways from my conversation with Technics' Business Development Manager Bill Voss is the longevity of Technics Turntables. I chalked it up to a combination of build quality, craftsmanship, and innovative technology–but it's so much more than that. I think what he was really trying to drive home was the timelessness of a Technics Turntable in your audiophile setup. Not because they're built incredibly well with high-quality materials, but because they output a sound quality that withstands the everchanging landscape of music. As a society, we're constantly changing our expectations of what we want from artists. One year it's Pop Country, the next it's EDM, underground Hip-Hop, or low-fi beats.
Hi-fi manufacturers bend over backward to meet these demands with new products that fall into whatever flavor of the month we're loving. But as individuals, our musical tastes change daily. Technics breaks the mold, not falling into the trap of "trends" and "fads", delivering us something truly timeless–something we didn't know we wanted but desperately craved. The Technics SL-1300G Grand Class Turntable is the perfect example of a timeless component. When we talk about "endgame" units this is what we're talking about. A component, that no matter what mood you might be in, or who is listening, the sound quality will never change. You'll never grow tired of it because there are a million different ways to listen. Whether you're in a warm and musical mood one day or a critical listening session the next, you'll still experience an accurate, clean, and smooth-sounding turntable.
Features
- Coreless direct drive motor achieving stable rotation
- ΔΣ-Drive suppresses vibrations from the motor for smoother, more accurate rotation
- Anti-vibration structure with a three-layer platter and a two-layer chassis
- Low-noise, low-voltage power circuit and a switching power supply
- Tonearm achieving high Initial-motion sensitivity
- High-rigidity body and high-damping silicon insulators for smooth sound and isolation from various vibrations
Coreless Direct Drive Motor & ΔΣ Drive Motor
The SL-1300G Turntable uses Technics' Coreless double rotor/single stator type motor with no iron core, eliminating uneven rotation known as cogging. This motor's driving force is remarkably higher than the simpler version featured in the SL-1200GR2 Turntable with only one rotor and one stator. To further eliminate mechanical vibrations caused during rotation, Technics reinforced the coil mounting circuit board of the motor with leads.
Working in tandem with the coreless direct drive motor is the ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) motor control technology, first featured in the Technics SL-1200GR2 Turntable in 2023. This newly developed technology delivers the perfect driving sine wave signal for the iron-coreless direct drive motor. By using a digital process, Technics has achieved an accurate speed and reduced motor vibrations for super smooth rotational accuracy.
By using PWM signal generation using ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) Modulation, as employed in Technics’ full-digital amps, motor vibrations are reduced to the minimum, resulting in a super smooth rotational accuracy.
Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply
Technics employs a silent (switch mode) power supply that produces less voltage and hum because it doesn't require transformers. Within this power supply is the current injection active noise-canceling circuit that detects power supply noise and kills it by applying an inverse phase current to reduce low frequency noise.
Comparison
Here's a high-level comparison between the SL-1200GR2, SL-1300G, and SL-1200G-S.
The $2,199 SL-1200GR2 features pitch control, has vibration controlling, rotationally superior Delta Sigma drive and uses the single coreless rotor/stator motor and the lightest platter with a less sophisticated plinth construction than the other two.
The $4,299 SL-1200G-S also has pitch control and while it doesn't have the Delta Sigma drive it does have the double coreless/stator motor, a magnesium tonearm, and a more massive plinth.
The $3,299 SL-1300G sits in between those two units, featuring the Delta Sigma drive, an enhanced dual coreless rotor/stator motor, and an upgraded plinth (compared to the GR2).
The magnesium tonearm in the SL-1200G contributes to the price difference, delivering a smoother, more damped sound than the SL-1300G's aluminum tonearm. Now is that difference worth $1,000? That's up to you. Personally, I'd spend that money on cartridges and other accessories, like our Dragon Phono Cables, to enhance the SL-1300G's performance.
Dragon Cables
Cables matter and in a stereo system, they're one of, if not, the most important component. They're often overlooked and on the last line of the list of upgrades and accessories you can score for your new turntable. We never take a chance on sound quality and always upgrade our units with Dragon Audio Cables. Our Phono Cables are built with precision and expertise, serving as the perfect bridge between your turntable and phono preamplifier.
The Black Dragon Phono Cable enhanced the performance of the SL-1300G, adding body and immediacy to the sound quality. Available in three configurations–DIN to RCA, DIN to XLR, and RCA to RCA–we've got the ONLY phono cable solution you need for your audiophile setup.
Verdict
Sometimes less is more and in the case of the Technics SL-1300G Grand Class Turntable, that's true. The SL-1300G proves that you don't need all the fancy bells and whistles of an ultra-premium turntable and perfect audiophile setup to listen blissfully. You just need a good pair of speakers (or your favorite headphones), one or two cartridges (that don't even have to be expensive-- Ortofon's Concorde Music Series are less than $500), and a stack of your prized vinyl records to be transported to a simpler time. A time when vinyl records replaced today's streaming services and you could spend every day of the week listening for hours and never get bored.
There are plenty of endgame components on the market and a handful of turntable manufacturers capitalizing on the sudden revival of vinyl, but how many are timeless? Technics has weathered the storm since 1970, surviving the death and resurrection of vinyl unscathed. How? I think it's got a lot to do with their commitment to quality and craftsmanship, but above all else, their passion for exceptional sound.
The Technics SL-1300G Turntable is the perfect example of a timeless, endgame component. It will grow with you through the years adapting to your ever-changing music tastes and moods. You can easily build an entire setup around it, incorporating high-quality phono cables like the Silver Dragon Phono Cable and Black Dragon Phono Cables for pristine audio transmission with every note. As the years go by and your vinyl collection grows larger, the SL-1300G will continue to deliver on its promise of accurately reproducing your favorite songs time and time again.
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What's in the Box
- Technics SL-1300G Turntable
- Turntable Sheet
- Dust Cover
- EP Record Adapter
- Balance Weight
- Auxiliary Weight(S)
- Auxiliary Weight(L)
- Head Shell
- Overhang Gauge
- Screw set for Cartridge
- PHONO Cable
- PHONO earth lead
- AC Power Supply Cord
- Screw set for Turntable
- Owners Manual
Specifications
Power Supply: AC120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption: 14 W Approx. 0.2W (Standby)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-27/32 x 6-13/16 x 14-21/32 inch
Weight: Approx. 39.7lbs
Terminals: Audio Output: PHONO (Pin Jack) x 1, EARTH TERMINAL x 1
Tonearm Section: Type: Universal Static Balance
Effective Length: 230mm (9-1/16")
Overhang: 15mm (19/32")
Tracking Error Angle: Within 2° 32' (at the outer groove of 30cm(12") record), Within 0° 32' (at the inner groove of 30cm(12") record)
Offset Angle: 22°
Arm-height Adjustment Range: 0 - 6 mm
Stylus Pressure Adjustment Range: 0 - 4 g (direct reading)
Head Shell Weight: Approx. 7.6 g
Cartridge Mounting Dimension: JIS 12.7 mm Interval
Head Shell Terminal Lug: 1.2 mm φ 4-pin Terminal Lug
Turntable Section: Type: Direct Drive Manual Turntable
Turntable Speeds: 33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm
Adjust Range: ±8%, ±16%
Starting Torque: 3.3 kg･cm (2.8 lb-in)
Build-up Characteristics: 0.7 s. from standstill to 33 1/3 r/min
Wow And Flutter: 0.025% W.R.M.S. (JIS C5521)
Rumble: 78dB (IEC 98A Weighted)
Turntable Platter: Brass and Aluminum diecast combined, Diameter 332mm (13-5/64"), Weight: About 3.6kg (7 15/16 lb) (Including rubber sheet)
Applicable Cartridge Weight Range
- (without auxiliary weight) 5.6 - 12.0g, 14.3 - 20.7g (including headshell)
- (with small auxiliary weight) 10.0 - 16.4g, 18.7 - 25.1g (including headshell)
- (with large auxiliary weight) 14.3 - 19.8g, 23.0 - 28.5g (including headshell)
