Turntables turned out to be big sellers this past Christmas, and the trend may well repeat itself next year, as Panasonic is now dusting off the beloved Technics SL-1200 series of record players for a 2016 revival.
As previously reported, the DJ-favourited 1200s had been discontinued back in 2010, with the company citing the product’s declining sales. Since then, people have gone vinyl crazy, though, leading Panasonic to state last fall that it would be putting a new turntable on the market this year. Now, the company has confirmed that it’s an updated version of the 1200.
A press release explains that the audio hub will launch two variations of the direct-drive turntable: the limited-edition Grand Class SL-1200GAE (of which only 1,200 will be produced) and the regular Grand Class SL-1200G. Each player is said to be tailored “for audiophiles looking to rediscover and experience the uniquely warm sound quality of analogue vinyl discs.”
While the modern-day players are modelled with the same outer design of the original SL-1200, first launched in 1972, it’s explained that adjustments have been made to the template. This includes a “coreless direct-drive motor without iron core,” which is said to improve sound quality by dampening noise caused by the vibrations of the machine.
As for the rest of the specs, the table features a “high sensitive tonearm” (aluminum for the SL-1200G model and magnesium for the higher-end SL-1200GAE), a brass-top turntable platter, an insulator, the option to play records at 33, 45 and 78 rpm, and more.
In addition to demand, the turntables are being produced in conjunction with Technics’ 50th anniversary. While price points have yet to be introduced, the SL-1200GAE is set to hit stores next summer, with the standard SL-1200G reportedly ready to be retailed by year’s end.
As previously reported, Amazon’s top-selling piece of audio equipment ahead of Christmas was the Jensen JTA-230 3-speed stereo turntable, a beginner-style automatic turntable with built-in speakers.
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