Technics Turntable History

A scan of the Japanese brochure of the SL-1100

This page contains only information on the DirectDrive turntable from Technics.
In 1969 Technics introduced the Direct Drive system.
I'll give a short explaining about D.D. :
The motor is directly coupled to the platter and turns at the same rate as the record. Since it turns at a low speed and there are no additional parts to transfer torque from motor to platter, the D.D. has several advantages, e.g. Low wow & flutter, low rumble, rotational stability and precision and a long service life. (Quoted from the AG IV).
Check the terminology page for the meanings of technical terms.

In 1970 Technics introduced the first D.D. system, the SP-10. A massive table without an arm. One year later, in 1971 Technics introduced the SL-1100 (Where I am the proud owner of), this table was huge and massive and had a s-shaped arm. You could/can also install a SME arm on it. This table has a start and stop button like the still made SL1200, and is actually a sort of original model of the SL1200.
In 1972 Technics introduced the SL-110, which has the same specs as the SL-1100 but the SL-110 didn't come with an arm. The SME arm was also optional. Later that year, Technics introduced the infamous SL1200. Now known as THE turntable for DJ's and radiostations. The pitch control was like the SL-1100 and SL-110, pot-metres. In 1979 the SL1200 (Then the Mk2) got a slide pitch control. In 1973 Technics came with the SL-120 which was (I think) the same table as the original 1972 SL-1200 only this one had no arm (Like the SL-1100 and Sl-110).
Also the SP-12 was introduced which looks like a SL-1200 bit is a lot smaller (like the SP-10). I have no pictures scanned on the SP-12 yet. In 1974 the SL-1300 was released which looks like a SL-1200 but was a full automatic (Auto start/stop and a repeat function (also called 'memo')). Also in that year Technics produced the SL-55, on which I have no further information than a photo and some Japanese text. ;-)
In 1975 the SP-10MK2 was released with some sort of (still wired) remote control and a external powersupply. Btw, the SL1000Mk2 is a SP-10Mk2 with a titanium arm and a wooden case where you put the (little) SP-10Mk2 in. Together (wihtout powersupply) thise turntable weighs more than 26.0 KG!!!
Also in that year, Technics introduced the SL-1350. This turntable looks like a SL-1100 but has the same options (auto start/stop,memo and pitch) like the "regular" SL-1300. The SL-1500 was also released that year which is the same as the SL-1300 (full automatic) and the SL-1400 (semi-automatic, I only know that this table was build till the early 80's, I have two of them) but this one is fully manual. Like the SL-1200. The SL1200/1300/1400 and 1500 are also availabe in black, add the typenumber with ten. (1210,1310,1410,1510). I also know that these three tables (like the SL-1200) came in "Mk2" versions. I hope someone can tell me the main differences between these "Mark2" updates.

The 1300/1400/1500s were build till about 1982 I think. The SL1200Mk2 is still in production, with two or three other belt-drive types. SL-BDxx or something. Technics also has some LimiTeD versions of the SL-1200, the SL1200LTD. This table is black (with piano-finish) and a golden arm and platter. Also (for DJ's?) a pitch-reset button is added. Personally I saw the LTD's with serials : 327,328 and 349. They are numbered till only 10.000 world-wide.

I hope anyone can get me info on the SL1600/SL1700 and SL1800s. Also, I would like to know the difference between the SL1100,SL1100A and SL1100AC. Please contact me via email if you have something to add or something to ask about Technics turntables.