“Redefining the benchmark for direct drive-analog players.”

The limited edition version of Technics’ new SL-1200GAE turntable has won the iF Design Award 2017 in the Product category.

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Released in 2016, the turntable caused significant waves first for its striking appearance and then its hefty price tag, updating the classic deck from being an industry standard DJ workhorse to a high-end audiophile player.

Putting to bed any lingering doubts as to the credentials of the turntable’s build and performance – it had previously wowed engineers at Abbey Road Studios, where the new decks have been installed – the iF Award judged the deck on ‘material selection’, ‘execution’ and ‘brand identity’.

As described on the iF website: “An innovative turntable system that features a newly developed coreless direct-drive motor to realize rock-steady speed and minimal vibration. The magnesium alloy tone arm for high-precision tracking is the first of its type to be adopted by Panasonic. Redefining the benchmark for direct drive-analog players: this was the principal and ultimate theme of this project.”