At the recent Paris Audio Video Show, Technics unveiled a limited edition turntable inspired by its legendary SL-1200G. Dubbed the Master Edition, it is the ultimate model from the direct-drive specialist. Available from January 2026, it will be offered in a limited edition of 1,200 numbered units in the silver finish, and 1,210 in black.
Technics SL-1200 range: the timeless reference
The new Technics Grand Class SL-1200GME turntable takes its place at the top of the legendary SL-1200 range of record players. Launched in 1972, this series was first popularized by DJs. Its reliability quickly established it as a benchmark that has stood the test of time. So much so that the Japanese brand decided to relaunch the range in 2016, several years after having left the market following a business decision.
Technics has helped raise quality standards through the precision of its direct-drive motor. The refinement of Delta Sigma Drive technology, which limits motor vibrations to reduce internal resonance and maximize tonearm/cartridge torque efficiency, is also part of this quest for perfection.
Grand Class SL-1200GME: an improved version of the SL-1200G
At the Paris Audio Video Show 2025, Technics raised the curtain on the Grand Class SL-1200GME, the latest addition to the SL-1200 range. It is an optimized version of the SL-1200G, incorporating the triple-layer platter of the SL-1300G. The latter, made from a brass and aluminum alloy combined with a layer of shock-absorbing rubber, promises more precise, distortion-free sound reproduction.
- Read – Technics at PAVS 2025
To guarantee ideal platter rotation, Technics uses a dual coreless rotor motor with a single stator. This sophisticated design maximizes rotation linearity to provide the best conditions for the cartridge. In addition, a hybrid speed detection encoder, combined with a Hall sensor for rotor position, guarantees speed stability.
A reinforced chassis
In addition to the optimized platter, the Technics Grand Class SL-1200G Master Edition turntable features a reinforced chassis. It incorporates four layers, including aluminum and a composite layer called Bulk Molding Compound (BMC), covered by a 10mm aluminum plate and a shock-absorbing rubber sub chassis.
Expert's note
BMC is a composite material made from thermoset resin (often polyester or epoxy), glass fibers and mineral fillers. It is mainly used for molding complex parts by compression or injection.
In hi-fi, it is found in certain speaker cabinets and turntable chassis. It is appreciated for its mechanical and acoustic qualities: it is rigid, dense and non-resonant, which limits unwanted vibrations and improves sound reproduction. The Technics SL-1200GME turntable, for example, uses BMC to provide a stable, inert base for the playback mechanism.
This design reduces the internal vibrations that can interfere with vinyl record playback. What’s more, the SL-1200GME features a magnesium S-shaped tonearm. It combines rigidity and lightness to eliminate distortion and guarantee a richer, more detailed sound.
As the new flagship of the SL-1200 range, the Technics Grand Class SL-1200GME direct-drive turntable pushes the boundaries of analog playback. Every detail seems to have been optimized to meet the demands of vinyl enthusiasts.
The end of the SL-1200 range
As Technics celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the Japanese firm will be closing the glorious chapter of one of history’s most legendary ranges. While it has already turned the corner with the release of its first Bluetooth turntable, the brand is enriching its SL-1200 range with a final model.
While the expertise acquired over five decades devoted to SL-1200 turntables will survive the series, it is more the unique aesthetics of the models in the range that will disappear. Offered as an ultra-limited edition, each Technics Grand Class SL-1200GME turntable will be numbered. The manufacturer, which will deliver the first models in January 2026, is announcing the release of 1,200 silver versions and 1,210 black finishes for a price of around €5,000.
