Technics has been building variants of its classic 1200 direct drive turntable for many decades now. It knows what it’s doing! The SL-100C turntable is a high value, high quality variant that offers much of what the bigger, more costly models do at a lower price. You lose the built-in strobe and cue light and pitch control, but you get a cleaner looking turntable that can still play three speeds and the mechanical end of side auto-lift is an attractive feature and you can adjust VTA/SRA. And, unlike many turntables at this price point, the SL-100C features a sophisticated die cast aluminum chassis Technics says is "...rigidly integrated with a special material consisting of ABS-mixed with glass fiber..." to produce a double layer construction. The feet combine springs and rubber to provide isolation and damping.

Vinyl users tend to fall into two camps. First there are the vinyl veterans. These men – and they are all men – think nothing of procuring special platforms for their precious turntables to sit on, using precision-tooled pressure gauges to set up there tone arm, then rewiring their entire house to reduce hum from electrical interference. Another thing that lovers of more modern tech may find quite problematic about the Technics SL-1200GR is that there is some set-up to be done, and none of it involves pairing with a router or smartphone. One of the key features of the SL-100C is its direct drive motor. Unlike belt-driven turntables that can suffer from speed inconsistencies over time, the direct drive system ensures stable rotation, reducing unwanted vibrations that could affect sound quality. This makes for a more consistent, high-quality listening experience.

User reviews

Technics has taken the blueprint of its popular SL-1500C turntable, streamlined some areas but kept the core features and unveiled a new entry level Hi-Fi turntable to win over a new generation of fans - it's the SL-100C. However, what made the whole experience a lot better than some record player assemblage projects I've been involved in is that once the parts were correctly assembled, there were no further hassles. I plonked it on a sideboard next to a Cambridge Audio Alva Solo phono pre-amp and… that was it. It sounded great straight away and there was no discernible electrical hum. The SL-100C seamlessly blends the old with the new, marrying the romantic charm of traditional record playing with the precision and convenience of modern technology. It’s a testament to Technics’ commitment to preserving the vinyl experience while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in turntable technology. I've set up a few record players in my time. The amount of fun I've had doing it is about zero. The Technics continued this trend but it is actually quite simple in certain key respects. Yes, assembling the turntable onto the base is quite arduous, but because the SL-1200GR is a direct drive turntable, at least there are no lengths of rubber to fiddle about with. While the iron-coreless direct-drive motor with motor control promises absolutely smooth rotational stability, the SL-100C's solid two-layer platter helps mitigate external vibrations. We are assured that the motor still has the famous “Technics torque” and spins the platter free from cogging.

Even the slightest fluctuation in speed can ruin the overall music experience. In terms of accuracy, I found it to be spot-on; it didn’t falter and was impressively stable. The aluminum injection-molded chassis is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer plastic, which has special rigidity and vibration-absorbing properties. The record player measures 453 x 173 x 372 millimeters (W x H x D). In addition, the 9.9-kilogram drive stands on four isolators with decoupled springs and rubber, which ensures increased vibration damping. Vinyl fans across the globe will be familiar with certain iconic characteristics of Technics turntables such as the iron-coreless direct drive motor and high-precision S-shaped aluminium tonearm. These now find themselves included as part of the direct drive Technics SL-100C turntable, an affordable way to sample the award winning experience offered by its more established sibling, the SL-1500C. With its sleek design and cutting-edge features, this turntable promises to elevate your vinyl listening sessions to a new level. But more than its aesthetics or technological advances, it’s the dedication to maintaining the true, authentic sound of vinyl that makes the SL-100C stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re a casual listener or a severe audiophile, this turntable promises an immersive, high-fidelity experience that respects the art of music as intended to be heard.The design of the SL-100C is both sleek and durable, reflecting Technics’ long-standing commitment to quality. It feels solid and well-built, with its aluminum die-cast platter and dust cover exuding a sense of reliability.

The word 'iconic' is bandied around willy-nilly these days, to the point where it has lost all meaning. However the Technics SL-1200 is a genuine icon, and the updated Technics SL-1200GR looks, as you would expect, a great deal like it. I should probably start with the engine. But, first, and not to repeat the manufacturer’s convoluted definitions, I will limit myself to saying that it is a single-rotor, direct-drive coreless motor, which has already been used in the SL-1200GR. And at this point, it ensures that the platter rotates evenly, reducing resonance to a minimum. To get the most out of your SL-100C, keep it clean and dust-free, and regularly replace the stylus for optimal sound reproduction. It’s also advisable to pair it with a quality sound system to fully appreciate the turntable’s capabilities. FAQ Given its premium features and high sound quality, the SL-100C is best suited for severe vinyl enthusiasts prioritizing sound quality over price. It’s not the best choice for casual listeners or those on a tight budget. Conclusion The SL-100C sports a simplistic visual design without unnecessary frills, while retaining the high quality operational feel that is a Technics tradition. Its elegant minimalist appearance will enhance your listening experience.

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We’re impressed by the SL-1500C’s sonic agility; the way it resolves plenty of detail and manages to deliver all that information in a cohesive and musical whole. There are few rivals around the grand mark that do it better. The Girl from Ipanema” med Astrud Gilberto på vokal og Stan Getz på tenorsaxofon kommer virkelig ud i rummet i al sin pragt. Rytmen er stabil og kontant gengivet, og lyden af saxofonen er varm og luftig. Vokalen har substans og dybde, og egentlig er det kun lidt mere luft i toppen og et dybere lydbillede med flere detaljer, der ender på minussiden i mine notater. More SL-100C tech specs follow. Chime in below in the Comments section if you'd recommend this ’table to audiophile newbies, and/or if you’d consider obtaining one for yourself. and we appreciate the patience! While I cannot say exactly what's in the product review pipeline as of yet, I can say there are at least three of them in the works that I'm currently monitoring, and we'll post them as soon as they're done and vetted -- with many more to come, of course. And we'll continue to regularly report on new products worthy of our, and your, attention.

Additionally, while the SL-100C boasts a superior motor, it doesn’t come equipped with a speed regulator. This means you’ll have to adjust the rotation manually to suit your platter’s needs. Also, bear in mind that this model doesn’t come with a cover for your platter, leaving it exposed to dust and potential damage when not in use. Design and Features Take what I say with a grain of salt, because I grew up lusting after 70s/80s Technics gear that my Dad had, or which I saw in catalogs. Around 1990 they seem to have lost their mojo and "gone Hollywood" (aka concentrating on home theater). By the end, the company was a joke -- save for the 1200 and pianos.The SL-100C keeps the key performance attributes of the SL-1500C to reach a wider audience and is a welcome addition to the Technics Premium Class.” Show of hands: How many of you had, or still have, a Technics turntable in your gear arsenal? Technics has just announced the U.S. market debut of its Premium Class SL-100C direct drive turntable, which was initially released in the EU/UK last year and is considered to be the burgeoning sibling of its vaunted class brethren, the Technics SL-1500C. In terms of performance, the SL-100C is a standout. Its precision-engineered direct drive motor ensures stable rotation while reducing unwanted vibration, resulting in a cleaner, more authentic sound. The auto-lift feature is imposing, lifting the tonearm off the record when it reaches the end, protecting your precious vinyl from unnecessary wear. Value for Money My Technics SL-100C review is about a turntable that will appeal to those who like high-end stuff with simple and comfortable functionality. This model of the already legendary SL line is a bit cheaper than the bestselling Technics SL-1500C, which at the same time, has retained many of its features. So it’s worth taking a closer look at it, isn’t it? I’ll tell you the differences and advantages (and disadvantages) I found in the SL-100C. But before getting to sonic details, here’s what I measured: the ‘table consistently ran at 33.35 using the Shaknspin device, which is close enough to 33.33. You won’t see that minute difference using a strobe disc. The other speeds were equally accurate (strobe measured). The Shaknspin app’s “deeper dive” produced these results, which are good.