While the Technics SL-100C Direct Drive Turntable isn’t exactly new(s), it hit the EU/UK markets last April, the (good) news here is that it’s now available in apple pie country. Or Jersey tomato country as the case may be.
You can think of the SL-100C as a SL-1500C without the built-in preamp while sporting a less expensive cartridge. I reviewed the SL-1500C, which comes with an Ortofon 2M Red Moving Magnet (MM) Cartridge, for my pal Darko and found it be a rock solid performer. To be frank, I could have lived without the in-built preamplifier so the SL-100C is my dream come true.
Feature highlights from Technics:
- Coreless direct drive motor, achieving stable rotation that is free from cogging and has powerful torque
- S-shaped aluminum tonearm that is highly sensitive yet robus
- Two-layer platter with improved vibration-damping performance
- High-rigidity cabinet and high-damping insulator for thorough shut-out of vibrations, ensuring a smooth vinyl-tracking process
- Audio-Technica AT-VM95C pickup cartridge on-board for ease of setup
- Tonearm auto-lift for minimizing needle wear-out
The SL-100C plays your basic 45rpm and 33.3 records with the push of the speed button and houses a pair of RCA outputs to connect to your phono input of choice. Choice is good.
The Technics SL-100C Direct Drive Turntable is available in the US today exclusively at Technics.com and Amazon for $999.99. (!)