If you’ve been saving up for a Technics direct-drive turntable just like the SL-1500C or maybe the legendary, DJ-oriented SL-1200, you now have a extra inexpensive possibility. Technics has launched the $1,000 SL-100C, a brand new vinyl spinner that’s based mostly on the $1,200 SL-1500C, however with a number of modifications which have introduced the worth down by $200. You can discover the SL-100C on technics.com or Amazon.com beginning August 15.

Like the SL-1500C, the SL-100C is aimed on the house hi-fi crowd, not the DJ group, and its design displays that intent. In reality, at first look, the SL-1500C and SL-100C look practically equivalent, save for the tone arm — on the 1500C, it’s black, whereas the 100C adopts the silver end from the silver model of the 1500C.

But look just a little nearer and also you’ll see one of many areas the place Technics has saved some cash. Instead of the included Ortofon 2M Red phono cartridge that the corporate ships with the SL-1500C, the 100C is provided with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95C cartridge. Both use shifting magnet building, however the Ortofon model makes use of an elliptical stylus, whereas the Audio-Technica cart makes use of a conical stylus. The Ortofon is dearer, and a few fanatics discover that the elliptical stylus produces higher precision, with much less distortion.

The excellent news is that the A-T cartridge might show extra versatile than the Ortofon for folk who’re planning to improve later, as Audio-Technica presents a number of higher-quality cartridges in the identical household because the VM95C.

It seems like Technics has additionally simplified the choice of output jacks on the rear of the SL-100C’s chassis. Unlike the SL-1200C, which is provided with each a phono and a line set of outputs, the SL-100C solely has a phono output, which implies you’ll want a cellphone pre-amp to make use of it, or a receiver/amp that has a devoted phono enter.

But aside from these two small adjustments, the SL-100C seems to fulfill the identical vinyl itch because the SL-1500C — the 2 merchandise share a mess of equivalent parts, together with a coreless direct drive motor with motor management, a strong two-layer chassis, the S-shaped aluminum tonearm, and an automated tonearm elevate that’s activated on the finish of the vinyl’s groove. This perform helps to stop pointless needle wear-out after ending both sides of an LP, nevertheless it may also be defeated for those who resolve you don’t wish to use it.

Editors’ Recommendations