The return of the discontinued Technics SL-1200 in the form of the SL-1200G was welcomed addition to the turntable market, but the $4,000 price tag was a bit out of reach for most, except for seriously dedicated vinyl enthusiasts and audiophiles. For those have been permanently scarred by the horror that was the unashamedly hefty price tag, Technics introduces the Technics Grand Class SL-1200GR, a turntable that inherits the technology of the SL-1200G without inheriting its frightening price tag.
Although made to be less expensive than the SL-1200G, the SL-1200GR is still crafted to Technics’ high standards. First off, the new model uses a coreless direct-drive motor with a single rotor instead of dual rotors to cut costs significantly, while the pricy magnesium tone arm has been replaced with tabular aluminum tone arm. The SL-1200GR still retains the die-cast aluminum platter with ribs to improve rigidity, but with a dual-layer brass plate instead of a triple-layer in its predecessor. The new model looks virtually identical and doesn’t give up much compared to its pricier sibling, allowing more vinyl enthusiasts to enjoy the classic SL1200 range.