Source: Press Release, Last Accessed: 2023/09/07

Technics has released their legendary and widely acclaimed SL-1200/1210GR turntable in a new GR2 version, with a revolutionary new drive control method for smooth, accurate rotational stability and a new power supply for an exceptionally low noise floor.
This new model was planned and developed around the iconic iron core-less direct drive motor with its superior rotational precision. Technics' goal was to take the direct drive technology to the next level in terms of precision, which was achievable by reducing motor vibration through optimizing the driving sine waves via the PWM signal generation using ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) modulation, as employed in their full-digital amplifiers.
According to the press release, the motor control signal for the new SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 is a huge leap in performance in comparison with earlier versions. Looking back to the 1970s, the motor control sine wave signal was generated by an analogue RF oscillator, the precision of which left room for smoother rotation. After the revival of the Technics SL-1200 turntable in 2016, the new SL-1200GAE – along with the much-improved motor, inherited a new control based on PWM for D/A conversion, using a sine-wave ROM based micro controller. In the new GR2, the motor control signal is generated by the usage of a PWM signal generated by ΔΣ (Delta Sigma) modulation, a method of high precision 1bit D/A conversion which is part of the signal procession in JENO Engine. By this approach, consequently given the name ΔΣ-Drive, a perfect sine wave is generated, and motor vibrations are radically reduced, the company says. In combination with the rotation feedback system based on speed detection by the usage of a frequency generator (FG) which works on magnetic power generation, the rotational speed precision of the new GR2 type is exceptional.
Along with the motor control, the general power supply has also been the focus of engineering. The new Multi-stage Silent Power Supply of the SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 is a combination of a low-noise, high-speed power supply working at over 100kHz and a noise canceling circuit inherited from Technics' reference class turntable SL-1000R, canceling remaining noise by injecting the reversed-phase current of the actual noise.
Most of the mechanical design of the new GR2 type has been retained from its predecessor: Kept were the rock-solid 2-layered bottom chassis made of aluminum and BMC (Bulk Molding Compound), the combination of which enables high resistance against vibrations, the 2-layered platter made of aluminum and dampened by heavy-weight rubber, the high-sensitivity S-shaped aluminum tonearm and the effective insulator feet.
The overall design has been gently refined: A new color match of all parts and elements as well as the new body surface touch quality adds even higher desirability to the new GR2 generation of the SL-1200/1210, the company says.
The new SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 will be available from December 2023 at authorized Technics retailers at MSRP $2,199.99. In the Technics tradition, the silver version will be called SL-1200GR2, whereas the black will be SL-1210GR2.

For more information: https://us.technics.com/

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