We reviewed the unique technology of the Technics SL-G700 again in 2019. On the time it appeared like a canny selection of supply product for people who need to improve a standard premium system however nonetheless have an eye fixed for the long run. The passing years haven’t modified our view one bit, with the mildly fettled SL-G700M2 model admirably fulfilling the identical transient.
Construct & design
It’s going to take greater than an off-the-cuff look to uncover the variations between the 2 generations of this product. The casework is an identical, not that we’re complaining. The Technics SL-G700M2 stays a strong and fantastically made field, displaying a stage of match and end that’s among the many greatest we’ve seen at this stage. The entrance panel controls work with precision, as does the massive multi-control dial that comes into use throughout many facets of set-up and playback. Particular point out has to go to the disc-loading drawer that glides in a fantastically damped method.
Technics SL-G700M2 tech specs
Sources Community streamer, CD/SACD participant
Bluetooth 4.2
Digital inputs USB Kind A (x2), USB Kind B, coax, optical
Digital outputs Coax, optical
Analogue inputs None
Analogue output Balanced XLR/Stereo RCA
Headphone output? Sure
Quantity management? Sure
Measurement (hwd) 98 x 430 x 407mm
Weight 12.3 kg
Take a cautious look inside and also you would possibly spot the change of DAC chip from an AKM AK4497 to an ESS ES9026PRO. Not like most different corporations, Technics isn’t spinning this into some form of efficiency improve story, however with refreshing honesty has defined that this transformation is right down to points with the provision of the unique AKM chip. This variation of DAC chip has compelled a redesign of the digital board and the corporate has used that as an excuse to enhance efficiency.
There’s now an additional stage within the digital sign path that goals to compensate for among the innate however undesirable traits which can be half and parcel of just about each DAC circuit. We’re speaking about lowering artefacts corresponding to ringing attributable to the digital filter, and adjustments in part and acquire over the frequency vary. Technics has referred to as this new design ‘Coherent Processing’, and made it switchable on the app so customers can simply choose the advantages. It didn’t take us lengthy to resolve to go away it in circuit due to the rise in sonic solidity and stereo picture precision it gives.
Elsewhere you will see that an improved energy provide association. The availability is break up between devoted feeds for the digital and analogue sections, and whereas upgrades have been made to each, it’s the work on the analogue facet that’s claimed to be probably the most important. The design of this energy circuit borrows expertise initially developed for the corporate’s latest premium amplifiers and actively goals to cut back the noise on the provision feed. On paper, this gives advantages to each a part of the SL-G700M2’s sonic efficiency.
Options
The SL-G700M2’s connectivity is sweet. There’s now a USB Kind B on the again panel to permit straightforward connection to a pc, alongside the carry-over back and front panel USB Kind A ports. Coax and optical are, as earlier than, on the menu, however analogue inputs nonetheless aren’t; this can be a digital-based product in any case. As could be anticipated at this stage, there are balanced XLR analogue outputs alongside stereo RCAs. A entrance panel 6.3mm headphone can also be included. Transfer away from hard-wired connections and you’ve got Bluetooth 4.2, Chromecast and Apple Airplay. Roon compatibility isn’t obtainable on the time of writing however must be imminent by way of an over-the-air improve.
The SL-G700 additionally holds loads of playing cards with regards to music sources. The disc part will play CDs and SACDs, whereas its streamer module connects to every thing you’ll count on: NAS models, USB storage, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music, amongst others. Web radio, and its 1000’s of stations, is a few button presses away.
Set-up is comparatively simple. Not like some rivals, Technics doesn’t have a single app that does all of it, leaving the preliminary set-up to the Google Dwelling app. As soon as that’s finished you may transfer to the corporate’s personal software program. This Technics app is usually good although generally is a little clunky every so often. A lot the identical sentiment applies to the participant. The mixture of disc participant and streamer doesn’t really feel fairly as seamless because it ought to, however as soon as we’re used to the SL-G700M2’s sometimes cumbersome methods we’ve no actual points with the way in which it really works.
Sound
It’s price persevering as a result of this can be a sturdy performer. We begin with a couple of of our favorite CDs from Eminem’s Restoration by way of to Kate Bush’s Hounds Of Love and Arvo Pärt’s Litany. The Technics has a managed and clear supply that works nicely no matter what we play. It’s a detailed and insightful presentation, and manages to organise the musical data in a cohesive and entertaining method. This isn’t a front-footed performer that goals to search out the joy in any piece of music fed to it, although. The SL-G700M2 likes to take a extra measured method, preferring to let any pleasure come from the music relatively than being intentionally generated.
We discover the identical traits once we swap to the streaming module. This participant offers balanced outcomes no matter supply. It’s daring and authoritative when it must be, say when enjoying Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator OSThowever can change down the gears effortlessly when requested to render one thing as delicate sounding as Discovered Songs by Ólafur Arnalds. Regardless of the recording we’re happy with the perception on supply and the understated but nonetheless musically partaking nature of this participant.
The excellent news continues once we use the SL-G700M2 as a standalone DAC. We’ve no points when connecting our MacBook Professional by way of the USB Kind B socket, or our reference Naim streamer to the coax enter. The Technics’ presentation stays constant in every case and the entrance panel show, comparatively small although it’s, offers us ample data with sufficient readability to keep away from criticism.
A product at this stage wants a little bit of care in system matching. Keep away from partnering tools that’s on the intense or aggressive facet and the Technics is well-balanced sufficient to not trigger any points. However, it’s proficient too, so whereas the pure selection could be one of many firm’s premium built-in designs – we’ve but to check any at an SL-G700-compatible stage – we’d don’t have any qualms about suggesting actually proficient alternate options corresponding to Naim’s SuperNait 3 or a Copland CSA 100 as appropriate companions. Equally, there are a selection of succesful audio system such because the ProAc Response D2R, Spendor A7 or Mission 770 that might work nicely.
Verdict
Is it doable to discover a separate CD participant and music streamer that price the same quantity to this Technics and get a greater sound? We predict it’s. However, that’s lacking the purpose of what’s a well-conceived and surprisingly succesful unit. As an all-round proposition, the Technics SL-G700M2 is tough to higher on the worth.
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