Turntable manufacturer Technics has announced a new turntable. It’s essentially a limited edition version of the SL-1200 and SL-1210. This so-called “Master Edition” combines advanced Delta Sigma Drive motor control technology with the excellent mechanical chassis of the SL-1200G. The result: the ultimate SL-1200 turntable. Deliveries will begin in early 2026.
Technics Grand Class SL-1200G/SL-1210G Master Edition
Technics has announced an ultimate limited edition of the SL-1200/1210G turntable. This turntable represents a historic milestone in quality for the globally acclaimed SL-1200 turntable series, which has been around for decades.
“The SL-1200 turntable series is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, legendary turntable series in the world. Originally launched in 1972, the SL-1200 series has undergone significant evolution over the decades. Like no other turntable in the world, this series has inspired millions of vinyl enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the sound of vinyl music, whether they use it for work or at home,” said Frank Balzuweit, Senior Product Manager at Technics Europe.
In 2016, the SL-1200GAE was reintroduced. Thanks to a limited production run of 1,200 units worldwide and its revolutionary drive technology featuring an ironless core motor and digital motor control, the SL-1200GAE not only sold out immediately upon launch but also set new standards for audiophile performance. Over the past decade, we’ve developed a new turntable lineup that has proven that coreless direct-drive technology is the de facto standard for ultimate vinyl playback.
As a company that continuously pushes the boundaries with its technological development, our next achievement was Delta Sigma Drive motor control technology. This technology, based on digital processing techniques used in fully digital amplifiers, has allowed us to reduce motor vibration to the limits of measurability. Within our turntable lineup, both the SL-1200GR2 and SL-1300G benefit from this superior drive technology, delivering unprecedentedly smooth rotation.
Until now, however, this superior motor control technology has not been applied to the SL-1200/SL-1210G. The latest version of the beloved SL-1200/1210G series is being introduced as a Master Edition, incorporating Technics’ ten years of expertise. This limited-edition version represents the pinnacle of the SL-1200 series and is distinguished by a special design with gold accents.
It will be available worldwide in 1,200 Silver and 1,210 Black units. Both are a special addition to the SL-1200 legacy. “Our greatest wish was to crown the G-model with a limited edition based on our latest technological achievements. With features like the DeltaSigma drive and the silent switching power supply, we simply wanted to create the very best SL-1200 turntable ever, while simultaneously producing a collector’s item that, thanks to its stylish design, is also a visually stunning work of art,” explains Frank Balzuweit.
Technics Grand Class SL-1200G/SL-1210G Master Edition: Advanced drive
DeltaSigma drive motor control technology delivers the perfect sine wave signal for the iron-core, direct-drive motor. By using PWM signal generation with DeltaSigma modulation, as used in Technics’ fully digital amplifiers, motor vibration is minimized, resulting in ultra-smooth, precise rotation.
This revolutionary technology was first applied by Technics in the SL-1200GR2 turntable and later in the SL-1300G, where it was combined with an advanced iron-coreless motor featuring a dual rotor and single stator. The result: exceptional rotational precision for the ultimate in audiophile vinyl record performance.
Just as with the SL-1300G, Technics uses the superb dual-motor, single-stator, iron-free motor in the SL-1200/1210G Master Edition. This eliminates unwanted cogging and enables high drive torque for superior rotational force. For the SL-1200/1210G Master Edition, the motor has been thoroughly redesigned with a reinforced stator board and non-magnetic screws. This further reduces minute vibrations and ensures that the stylus tracks the groove even more accurately. Last but not least, a hybrid encoder for rotational speed detection, incorporating a Hall sensor that detects rotor position, maintains rotational speed even when subjected to external influences such as a warped vinyl record. This ensures consistently perfect sound reproduction, even with the most critical acoustic instruments like piano or violin.
Technics Grand Class SL-1200G/SL-1210G Master Edition: Superior mechanical construction
The SL-1200/1210G Master Edition combines all the electronic drive technology with the top-notch mechanical design that makes the G-model so valuable and desirable. The four-layered chassis is made of die-cast aluminum and BMC (Bulk Mounding Compound). The addition of a 10mm-thick brushed aluminum top plate and a heavy rubber coating on the chassis results in an unparalleled mechanically rigid foundation that suppresses unwanted vibrations for precise groove tracking.
Another key factor contributing to perfect rotation is the three-layered platter, made of die-cast aluminum, vibration-dampening heavy-duty rubber on the underside, and a high-quality 2mm-thick brass top plate for even greater vibration dampening. Together with the solid rubber mat, the total weight of the platter is a substantial 3.6 kilograms. This results in high inertia, which allows for exceptionally smooth rotation and simultaneously adds an extra dimension to the high-quality appearance.
Each platter of the SL-1200/1210G Master Edition is individually balanced on special machines to ensure perfect rotation, free from even the slightest irregularities. The highly sensitive S-shaped magnesium tonearm, equipped with precision bearings for maximum initial motion sensitivity, takes full advantage of the vibration-free chassis and drive technology. This ensures that the information in the vinyl grooves is read with the utmost precision. Highly efficient isolation feet made of synthetic high-tech damping material a-gel dampen vibrations from the surface the turntable rests on. This ensures even more precise groove tracking, allowing the listener to enjoy the music without interruption.
Technics Grand Class SL-1200G/SL-1210G Master Edition: Latest power supply technology
The outstanding performance of the mechanical and electronic drive system is further enhanced by the new Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply, similar to that of the SL-1000R reference turntable. This combines a low-noise, high-speed power supply operating at frequencies above 100 kHz with a noise suppression circuit that suppresses residual noise by injecting the reversed phase current of the actual noise. This method results in a very low noise floor, enabling an exceptional S/N ratio and thus improving overall signal performance.
Technics Grand Class SL-1200G/SL-1210G Master Edition: Refined design for a true collector’s item
The SL1200/1210GME turntable is the ultimate limited-edition model in the SL-1200 series and therefore deserves tasteful styling elements that underscore its exclusivity. To distinguish it from the standard G model, the Master Edition features the following gold accents:
- Tonearm with gold-colored lacquer finish
- Arm head with gold Technics logo
- Top panel with gold Technics logo
- Master Edition logo badge with serial number
- Dust cover with gold Technics logo
Limiting ecological footprint
To reduce the environmental impact of packaging while ensuring Technics products remain fully protected during transport to customers, the new SL-1200/1210G Master Edition packaging no longer uses PS rigid foam. Instead, it features cleverly designed cardboard that securely protects the product, with a separate cardboard box for accessories. Everything can be easily removed from the packaging and neatly stored. Technics has worked hard to minimize the environmental impact of the packaging across its entire product range.
“Due to the unavailability of some components we source from an external supplier, we are unfortunately forced to discontinue the SL-1200/1210G model at the end of this year,” explains Frank Balzuweit. “However, we are thrilled to celebrate the end of the SL-1200/1210G model’s life with a true audiophile masterpiece. A version that, thanks to the application of Technics’ finest turntable technology, is a collector’s item that will likely become a legend itself, a testament to Technics’ mastery of turntable design—the SL-1200/1210G Master Edition.”
Technics Grand Class SL-1200G/SL-1210G Master Edition: price and delivery information
The new Technics Grand Class Master Edition turntable has a suggested retail price of just under €5,500 and will be available from January 2026 through authorized Technics dealers in Europe. The version will be available in limited quantities only, in the following quantities:
- 1,200 units (worldwide) in Silver (SL-1200GME)
- 1,210 units (worldwide) in Black (SL-1210GME)
