Back to School DealsSavings is one of our best subjects.Shop now

Skip to content
Main Content

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Your price for this item is $4,299.99

Customer reviews

Rating 5 out of 5 stars with 31 reviews

Rating Filter

Pros mentioned filter

Cons mentioned filter

94%
would recommend
to a friend

Customers are saying

Customers admire the Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System for its exceptional sound quality, praising its ability to deliver rich and accurate audio. The heavy brass platter and refined design also receive positive attention, with users appreciating the turntable's aesthetic appeal and sturdy construction. While some users find the setup process to be challenging, the overall sentiment towards the product remains positive.

This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 31 reviews
  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Speed, Tone arm
    Cons mentioned:
    Setup
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    As my old man used to say:The heavier the better

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    My dad used to be a huge fan of music and had a good taste for audio equipments. Every time we were shopping for Amps or Turntables he used to tell me that a way to start evaluating an amplifier was "the heavier the better". And he was right at some point. On Amplifiers, big and heavy magnet transformer and big capacitors that would make the unit more expensive or heavier than others, however these conditions will guarantee a good performance. Nowadays that reasoning would change with the new design of the power supplies, but, OMG, this Technics Turntable is the heaviest that I have experienced so far. And that is a clear indication that the designer engineers has spared no one single detail to get a really high quality product, which definitely has changed the way I have appreciate music from vinyls until today. To be honest, this is my dream turntable that I have been waiting for. The unit doesn’t come with Cartridge or stylus, and obviously will need a Phono preamp. I had ordered a Ortophon 2M cartridge, and a Grado Silver3, the first one I am plaining to use for the day by day use and the Grado for recordings and special events. I am excited waiting for those to arrive. But for now, in this case, I have used the old school and never disappointing Shure M91ED, with a brand new stylus. I also tested the unit with the Audio Technica 440. However I was able to get the full performance that the Shure cartridge and its stylus can offer with this turntable. The Shure was famous for its punchy sound vibrant on the high notes, an excellent choice for Rock music, but it is very sensitive to the tracking force and antiskating, and if the turntable is a not performing well from the star to the end while playing the vinyl, it may be suffering from distortion. And this Turntable performed flawlessly! For the amp, I used the Yamaha DSP-A1000, with Yamaha Floorstanding Speakers and Yamaha Subwoofer which is an excellent old school amplifier and it is as heavy as this turntable. I also tried the separate preamp Fluance PA10 that I bought time ago while looking to upgrade my Amp. I also have a big Sony Soundbar, however, if you really want to listen high quality music, you have to remember that vinyls are recorded in Stereo, so you need an stereo amp (L and R) an preamp to really hear the music the way it was conceived. So, if you have a Ferrari, you cannot go cheap on the tires, or low octane gasoline, you want to reach the best performance you can get. Both, Yamaha with its own preamp and Fluance preamp performed great with this turntable. I think they will be wasted in any other one, which I found interesting because I was always able to find little flaws like distortion or vibration so it is definitely the turntable that make it sound great, no distortion of any kind. For the vinyls, and this is the part that I really want to test, I listened several 4 phase LPs Because the way these LPs were recorded, any flaw on the turntable or Stylus will be very noticeable, and the turntable passed all of them. I played my Beatles favorite Rubber Soul Stereo USA version, and David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, and both sounded great. Then I played Mirage by Fleetwood Mac and the voice of Stevie Nicks sounded so clear and well defined, amazing. And finally Herbert von Karajan Beethoven 5th symphony and Mozart 25th. Wonderful! The setup is easy, if you are familiar with turntables you just need to follow the instructions of the Owner’s Manual. It comes with a high quality audio phono cable which I strongly recommend to use, the phono earth cable, the head shell, power cable, plate, mat and 1 main balance weight and 2 auxiliary weights. These 2 I didn’t need to use, however most likely when the Grado Cartridge arrive, I may need them, since Grado cartridge are heavy. So after you assemble the plate and its screws, your next step is a sensitive part, attaching the cartridge to the head shell. Technics has included an overhang gauge, that will let you adjust the position of the cartridge based on the distance of the stylus, on the head shell, be patient and careful while doing this so you don’t want to damage the stylus. This calibration part is important because it will guarantee a uniform performance response while playing a whole vinyl. If this is not well done, you will have distortion, vibrations or skips. I also used a Alignment Protractor cart, to make sure the cartridge alignment and calibration was right. This can be found and print from the internet. Then you attach the balance weight. Look for the specs of the Stylus you are using to apply the correct Tracking force, for the Shure I am using for example it is 1.25, but I prefer 1, and the same for the Antiskating. The Audio Technica is around 2.5, keep in mind this because the better you setup this unit you will get excellent sound performance, and you will ended up enjoying the vinyls as I am right now. And that is it. The turntable is ready to roll! Now, since is a high end unit, it includes many other manual adjustments, like the height of the arm, or the turntable start up and brake speed that are located in 3 tiny screws below the plate. I think probably the with Grado Cartridge will require some arm height calibration. As for the rest, I recommend leave it with the default setting, it works just fine. However this adjustments are available. This high end Turntable doesn’t have the automatic or semiautomatic start/Stop, which is common on low end commercial turntables. This feature usually takes power from the main motor, whish will affect the performance creating a bias or recess of power. So, in this case, you turn on the unit, use the cue lever to move the arm to the vinyl, and when the play finish, lift the cue lever and return the arm to the arm rest. The pitch control is a great tool, the slide pith has 2 options, +-8 or +-16 in percentage and you select your choice by pressing the 2x botton the strobe light looks really fancy. And then you have the stylus light switch, that will let you see the condition of the stylus, if it requires to be clean it, beside the fact that is another cool feature. The direct drive motor will always adjust the speed at 33 1/3 no matter the weight of the vinyl, it is digitally adjusted and will guarantee the right speed of the song, and direct drive is always the technology to go. This turntable is solid, well designed, every single screw feels high quality, either the tone arm (magnesium alloy) or the whole chassis (brass aluminum). Everything tells me how reliable is this unit, the high quality design prevents to get distortion, absorbs the vibration, and doesn’t allot high frequencies interfering. Vinyls have been always my favorite way of music source, you can enjoy the art design, read the lyrics, and I don’t like the 5.1 or 7.1 for music, since the original source is stereo and the natural way to listen. For example, The Beatles Albums, Abbey Road, or Revolver, are more enjoyable, to listen the music the way it was recorded, and this turntable performs amazingly. I have had several turntables, but this one beats all of them!

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and feedback with us. We're grateful for your honest feedback and we're glad you feel we're on the right track! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Platter, Sound quality
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Feels like being in a studio

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The first thing you notice as you're unpacking this turntable is the the sheer mass and weight of everything, followed by the quality of materials used. It's a solid unit that is almost a work of engineering art. Everything in the packaging comes well protected and assembling the unit is simple and straightforward, regardless if it's your first high quality turntable or not. What's most important though is the sound that it produces, and to get a better feel for how good that sound is, I did a bit of a comparison test. First up was against a high quality digital stream, basically how majority of people hear their music. As expected, this wasn't much of a contest. This turntable just blows that away to the point it was almost painful to even listen to the streamed music. Next up I brought out my budget turntable, the kind that's just plug and play. Again, this was no contest. Although we now have that vinyl sound, it's just no comparison to what even a decent quality turntable can put out. That takes us to my final comparison, this Technics SL-1210G against a decent quality, mid-range turntable. Since we're now dealing with 2 true turntables, I was able to get a good comparison by using the same speaker setup, amplifier, and even cartridge, making the turntables themselves the only variable. While this was a much closer competition in sound quality, this Technics turntable still easily won out. What I noticed the most about the sound this Technics produced which the other didn't do as well at is the fullness and depth of the music along with the clarity. It's not so much that the other turntable was bad, but how much better the Technics did in all the little things. I could more easily hear all of the smallest details of all the instruments and vocals. As I leaned back and closed my eyes it honestly almost felt as though I was in the studio. It was a truly pleasing experience. The small details is the other thing that sets this turntable apart. Not just in the parts that help create the sound, but also in its operation and how smooth it all is. For example how smooth the platter starts and stops. There's absolutely no jerkiness, no sudden stops, no overly hard braking, and it doesn't bounce backwards once it does come to a stop. Same goes for the tone-arm, just slow and smooth movements, again no jerkiness at all and no fear of it hurting your stylus or vinyl. Even the lid is smooth and stays in almost any position you put it in. And when it's too low to stay in position, it slowly lowers itself instead of just dropping down. That's what you get with this Technics unit, precise controlled movements and operation. From the speed controls and the direct drive motor, through the platter and arm all the way to the lid, which by the way is extremely easy to remove. One of the ways all of this precise, smooth operation and amazing sound can happen is the solid construction using quality heavy materials. Not only does it allow everything to work the way it does, it also helps minimize, and practically eliminate, any vibrations. That part is key to good consistent sound. As the record was playing I was checking all around the turntable and felt no vibration at all anywhere. This attention to quality also extends to the thickness of the plating on the connections, leaving you with the confidence that this unit will last a very long time. All that said, things aren't perfect. I was honestly surprised to find a fairly noticeable defect, at least with the unit I received. On the front of the unit along the edge where the top case meets the lower case, there are a couple wavy spots that stick out a little on the lower portion. I've added a picture with this review showing these spots. While they have no effect on the operation or sound produced from the unit, it's not something I'd expect to see when there's so much attention to detail everywhere else on such a high-end and high-priced turntable. That one cosmetic defect, however, is really the only negative I could find. This unit is obviously on the higher end of the price range, but is still definitely worth the cost, especially for audiophiles with a nice vinyl collection. Even if you don't consider yourself an audiophile, if you're someone who gets enjoyment from music, or someone who likes to sit back and relax while taking in the sounds of music, then won't regret making this type of investment.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review! It's great to hear that the Technics SL-1210G has met your expectations in terms of sound quality, smooth operation, and overall build. We are always trying our best to make the experience of our customers memorable. Thank you so much for taking the time to send this! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Tone arm, Weight
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    A work of art

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Technics SL-1210G Grand Class is beautiful. Every piece looks like it was made with care. Yet it feels like it's built like a tank. It is very heavy coming in at over 25lbs. Everything is very sturdy with a rigid vibration dampening platter. I tried to do some light jumping around and didn't get anything to transfer to the playback. The tone arm has a very nice feel to it especially after it was balanced. The whole player is very smooth with the direct drive motor. It is really a work of art. There is some slight assembly to attach the heavy platter and then the dust cover. A big annoyance is that this player does not come with a phono cartridge. With all of the marketing about how amazing this thing is supposed to sound and perform I would of thought that they'd guarantee the satisfaction by providing a quality phono cartridge. Once I got a cartridge there was a bit of careful playing around to get everything balanced and then proper track pressure set. I don't think much of that is the vinyl player's fault, just the care that's needed to ensure proper installation. As for the sound of the player I feel like it's hard to know if I'm reviewing the player itself or the phono cartridge I bought separately. So for transparency, I bought the Audio-Technica VM540ML which is a solid choice with phono cartridges. As I had mentioned, to test more the player itself I tried to bump things and get some vibrations going. The sound stayed crystal clear. I was very impressed with this cartridge/player combo. I have a few other players and this one very much takes the cake. I also have a wood floor structure so it is prone to a lot of movement. I played classic rock, pop, and metal music and it all sounded clear, dynamic, and balanced. I think Technics produced something very high end. I imagine that this player will have a very long life with all the quality parts. This seems like it's for some one who is a big audiophile and into having a hi-fi system. I would not recommend this for someone just getting into vinyl.

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We appreciate your 4-star rating! Your input helps us improve and continue delivering quality products. We're glad to hear you're enjoying the Technics SL-1210G and its solid build, smooth performance, and clear sound. We understand your frustration with the lack of a phono cartridge, and your feedback will help us ensure future buyers are more informed. Thanks for sharing your experience, and we're happy to see it performing so well with your Audio-Technica VM540ML! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Platter, Sound quality
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Back to the Future

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The first thing you notice is how big and heavy the box the Technics SL 1210G comes in is. Mine was delivered in a huge box that then had the main box with the turntable inside. The Technics SL 1210G Direct Drive Turntable is a formidable piece of equipment that weighs in at almost 40 lbs. Everything about this turntable scream’s quality…from the direct drive motor to the aluminum, brass and rubber platter to the magnesium tone arm. The finish, craftsmanship and materials are second to none. I assembled the platter, tonearm weights etc, installed and adjusted my Audio-Technica cartridge and then paired the Technics SL 1210G with a tube preamp that I then fed to my Sonos Amp. One thing to remember about turntables is having a good ground connection is key, once securing that I was ready to give the Technics SL 1210G a listen. The first album up was the Beatles Sgt Peppers 2017 Stereo Mix starting with the title song. The analog sound from the Technics SL 1210G was nothing short of amazing. Something about the warmth and the slight static brings one back to when we listened to music from a thing we could physically hold rather than something that is in the ether or in a file of 1’s and 0’s. I next tee’d up Princes Purple Rain and again was wowed by the sound, stereo separation and overall sound stage. My 17 year old daughter and her friend were wowed by what vinyl records are, how they work, sound etc. And there is nothing that beats studying an albums cover art and reading lyrics from the cover rather than on an iPhone or other electronic device. The Technics SL 1210G is a great state of the art piece of audio equipment utilizing the latest materials in a best in class analog music source. I’m looking forward to many years of listening pleasure.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We're truly grateful for your 5-star review! Thank you for choosing the Technics SL-1210G and for sharing such an in-depth and thoughtful experience. We're thrilled to hear that the craftsmanship, sound quality, and nostalgic analog experience have exceeded your expectations. It’s great that you're enjoying the warmth and depth of the vinyl listening experience, and we hope the turntable continues to provide you with many years of musical enjoyment! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Platter, Sound quality
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Powerful, Articulate, Precise Vinyl Music

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I believe music should move you, whether it pumps you up for a game, helps you relax, or makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Music can release things like creativity or enjoyment. Critical listening is also important because the more knowledge you gain from music, the more adept you are with understanding what it takes to make music sing, sound and produce more than the sum of its parts. For me, vinyl is the engine that keeps music running through me all day long. It is the conduit that makes music alive for me. Stirring the pot of emotion, thought and reasoning the right vinyl record on the right turntable is at worst ‘unenjoyable’ and at best ‘flying with eagles.’ First, I am going to review the sound of the Technics SL-1210G or changes and then what makes up the turntable. I listened to vinyl records for hours and hours and found some that were deemed bland or had no dynamic range. At first, I used the one RCA cable provided but then changed it out. Getting a new pair of Audioquest Golden Gate RCAs cables was really a positive change. My thought was, this is an incredible turntable and needed incredible cables (and an incredible Cartridge) to bring out the best in music. I got the bland or non-dynamic vinyl records spinning again and actively listened. Trends quickly emerged. The music coming out of the Technics SL-1210G became empowered. A warm, punchy and satisfying bass could be heard. The midrange sounded amazing with superior harmonics that were brought to the forefront of the music. Vocal detail, depth and clarity were enhanced as well. The highs, mids and low sections had greater separation with very little distortion or interference. The Technics SL-1210G pulled out a musical soundstage in vinyl. Now the Technics turntable design is what most people think of first when you mention a turntable. It is a classic style that combines a blend of technology, innovation and sound to make amazing music. This Technics SL-1210G is no exception. Many of us are either a ‘belt drive’ or ‘direct drive’ turntable kind of person. A ‘belt drive’ turntable is away from the spindle where a rubber ‘belt’ wraps around the motor and platter. When the motor spins the belt and platter, it keeps distortion and vibrations to a minimum. Most high-end turntables are ‘belt driven.’ In a ‘direct drive’ turntable, the motor turns the spindle ‘directly.’ This can often cause unwanted vibrations that transfer from the center of the platter to a vinyl record. If ‘belt driven’ turntables are so widely used, why does the Technics SL-1210G use ‘direct drive?’ Technics has found a better way to address ‘direct drive’ issues that plagued previous models. This new Technics turntable is now equipped with a ‘coreless motor.’ In this new innovative design, the vibrations, rotational pull from the center spindle and distortions (or “cogging”) are greatly reduced. This is because the turntable has a ‘coreless motor.’ An added benefit of the ‘coreless motor’ is improved sound as the platter spins with greater ease. Technics doesn’t stop there. They have studied the circular rotation of blu ray discs and applied that knowledge to aid even greater stability for the platter. With decreased dampening and increased sensitivity, the magnesium made S shaped tone arm moves freely throughout the vinyl grooves. Technics has also added its “gimbal suspension” design in the arm. This feature, with its ball bearings, keeps the tone arm level and stable while the vinyl record spins underneath the cartridge. One specification you will find on a turntable’s spec sheet is “wow and flutter.” When a vinyl record’s pitch tends toward fast (wow) and even faster (flutter) the sound is more like noise than a song. Acceptable vibration settings are usually set at .10-.20 for a low distortion of vinyl movement. The “wow and flutter” on the Technics SL-1210G is rated at .025. That is tremendously low! The plinth is a combination comprised of aluminum, rubber, a reinforced BMC material and a thin 10 mm aluminum layer on top. It is extremely heavy at 40 lbs but it is extremely stable. Use a bubble level and turn the four independent feet underneath the plinth until its level. The Technics SL-1210G platter is heavy and made of different materials to aid in less vibration and better torque. Brass, aluminum and rubber (rubber on the bottom of the platter) provide a very smooth and fluid rotating surface. The multi-faceted combinations of materials in the right places, really allow the Technics turntable to shine with powerful, strong and precise music. There is no cartridge for this turntable, which gives you the freedom to choose one that suits your hearing for enjoyment. I choose the Ortofon 2M Bronze which is a moving magnet cartridge. Its sound is wide open but is still forgiving with a slightly wider needle point in the record grooves. New technology now enables certain moving magnets to sound as good as or better than some lower model moving coil cartridges. Once the 2M Bronze was installed, the Technics SL-1210G had the room saturated in music! I was glad I went with the ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge because it played music beautifully and cut down on crackles or pops in the grooves. I made three key elements of change that I was skeptical of, to see if there would be an improvement in music quality. 1. Adding an acrylic translucent 3mm slip mat. The needle, in my opinion, had better tracking on the vinyl record and improved the overall sound. 2. Every single time I play a record, I use an anti-static and velvet brush on the surface of the vinyl with light pressure. There is some division over whether brushes remove static. I am not going to debate that, but I will say if there are particles in the grooves of a vinyl record, the anti-static and velvet brushes will remove them. 3. I skeptically upgraded the RCA pair of cables to the Audioquest Golden Gate model. You will have to buy an extra RCA cable anyway, so this upgrade is an easy one and was worth doing. This option even more than the acrylic slip mat or brushes made the most difference in sound improvement. This is not counting the cartridge and needle which you have to purchase. Be sure to install the upgraded cables before you assemble the Technics turntable (hard to reach otherwise). This Technics ‘direct drive’ is a manual operation turntable which means you will have to control how everything functions. It really isn’t a big deal since most turntables in this range are manual. To turn the on Technics SL-1210G, twist the top of the strobe light. Next, put your vinyl record on the platter and push the start button. Use your brushes, and then drop the needle on the record. The Technics turntable will play records of 33 1/3 45, 78 rpm speeds. On the left side of the turntable is the strobe light for gauging the speed of the platter. Most records play at 33 1/3 rpm. To determine the rpms, watch the 4 rows of dots on the outer edge of the moving platter. The third row of dots (from the top down) should look stationary while the other dots are in motion. If fine tuning is needed, use the pitch control. There is a stylus light is on the turntable. It pops up with the press of the button and goes back down when pressed. In a darker environment, the stylus light shines where the needle hits the record preventing any damage in those circumstances. Last but not least, you must have an outside phono-preamp. It processes the musical signal from the turntable, making it useable for the amplifier to send music to the speakers. Choose wisely because phono-preamps vary in price, size, mm, mc, and affect how they sound with your turntable. What DNA does the Technics SL-1210G have to make it exceptional? It is a true combination of materials and design. It all starts with the needle on the record. Additional features include 4 components in the plinth and 3 materials in the platter. The cables, acrylic slip mat and cleaning the vinyl records all also contribute. Lastly, I own a 1978 Technics SL-220 belt driven turntable that was remarkable back then in vinyl’s heyday. With the resurgence of vinyl records, the Technics SL-1210G stands on its proud heritage of innovation and imagination to give the listener the best experience a turntable has to offer. My equipment used in this review: 2.1 system: 2 channel (+ sub), Cambridge Audio AXR85 (85 watts per channel), one Martin Logan 8” subwoofer. Pair of JMLabs Focal Chorus 710 floorstanding speakers. Monster 14 gauge speaker wire banana plugs. Technics SL-1210G turntable. Transparent green acrylic mat (3mm). Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge. emotiva phono-preamp. Specific turntable stand that holds all the equipment and up to 200 vinyl records. All cables are Audioquest Golden Gate models (except sub cable and ground wire). Some of my vinyl records go from the 1950s –present, all genres of music, analog, digitally remastered, including colored and black vinyl. Here are some of the artists I listened to for the review: Brian Setzer Orchestra, Miles Davis, Muse, Daft Punk, Elvis, Tom Petty, Arctic Monkeys, Johnny Cash, Oasis, Beach Boys, Wes Montgomery, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Twenty-One Pilots, No Doubt, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Richard Ashcroft

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We are happy to hear you had a positive experience with the product! We value your input and encourage you to let us know more details about your experience with us. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Platter, Sound quality, Weight
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Wow, I can enjoy my old vinyl and get new ones!

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    So where to start with the Panasonic Technics SL-1210G Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable? Well, start at the beginning. First off, this thing is a beast weighing in at 33 lbs. if you believe the carrier. I picked it up at the local depot and it’s heavy. I got it home and unboxed it. It was very well packed and protected. Everything is included except the cartridge Anyway, let’s just say it is stout. I knew I needed a cartridge and purchased a headshell/cartridge combo, so I was ready. It wasn’t the most expensive unit, but it was a good place to start. I removed the platter, turntable unit, cords, weight, and instructions and got to work. The location of the RCA jacks, power, and ground screw is a bit hard to use. I have the unit in an entertainment center cabinet and that caused a lot of difficulties as there isn’t much room to turn the unit around. I didn’t want to tilt it too much, so I lifted it and used a flashlight to get the cables, cord and ground connected. I have a nice set of phono cables, so I chose to use them instead of the gold-plated RCA’s included with the unit, but I did use the factory ground wire and power cord. Also, the sheer weight of the turntable added to the difficulty. I connected the turntable to a high-end stereo integrated amplifier and a pair of decent front ported 6.5” woofer/1” tweeter bookshelf speakers. I prefer a two-speaker system for listening to music over my 7.1 theater receiver. I believe you can have a high-end turntable, like the Panasonic Technics SL-1210G, and a high-end receiver with lousy speakers and it will sound awful. I didn’t have a ton of funds left for the speaker, so I messaged a knowledgeable celebrity, and he recommended these $400 speakers from my local Best Buy store. I have to say, his recommendation was spot on. It made the turntable and receiver…well, sing! Let me take a step back. I got the turntable plugged into the system, powered up, and looking good. That was the easy part. Now follow the instructions and get it ready to play an album. I’d love to say that the instructions made it easy, but they didn’t. It helped, but some parts are tedious and confusing, so I turned to the internet and watched a video or two. Attaching the weight and understanding the extra auxiliary weights takes a bit of time to comprehend. I understand now that they are to counterbalance the headshell and cartridge of more expensive and heavier units. I must have spent 10-15 minutes trying to balance that arm with the small weight attached and watching the arm just rise. So, no aux weights for my inexpensive needle, but down the road, who knows? Attaching the platter is no big deal. Just make sure to take your time and use a thin, wide-blade screwdriver so you don’t slip and mar the surface. Attaching the headshell is rather simple. There is a slot, so it only goes in the right way or upside down. Then you just hand tighten the lock nut to secure the needle. Then make sure you have the needle user’s guide so you can get the stylus pressure and anti-skating dialed in. The cartridge guide should also state the height, so you can dial in the height control ring. There are adjustable settings for startup and brake speeds, but I left them just the way they were out of the box, and it seems to work just fine for my liking. Finally getting all of that set, I was ready to sit back and enjoy some of my old vinyl. I have a vintage Technics turntable, model SL-D30 that I’ve been using to listen to my old vinyl. It’s been a decent inexpensive turntable, but nothing I tried could completely eliminate the hiss during track changes. Not so with this top-of-the-line turntable. The SL-1210G is nice and quiet between tracks and when it should be during a song. Lovely to my ears. Other issues I have are a few of my records are warped a bit. Most have been stored vertically for decades and thus are pretty flat, but the SL-1210G didn’t care what condition they were in. If they played, the arm just floated along the grooves and I didn’t experience any skipping or issues, just pleasing music…as it should be. Speaking of the arm seeming to just float, the adjustable vibration-dampening feet must be doing their job. I have the turntable on its own shelf, and I can open/close doors and drawers without a skip. I’m not slamming them shut or yanking them open, but I am using them like I would any regular cabinet or drawer without any worry. I imagine the platter has something to do with that also. Out of everything I removed from the box, the platter is the heaviest single item in there. It has a three-layer design, with combined brass and aluminum and a rubber cover on the rear side. I didn’t know what cogging was, so I did a bit of reading and it’s a bit over my head. I get that it is caused by metal poles which create a magnetic field. Panasonic/Technics has a coreless direct drive which if I understand what I’ve read eliminates cogging and creates a smooth rotation. I’m sure that’s an extremely basic explanation, but it removes the lag or stuttering a turntable can have when they experience slow rotation. Finally, would I recommend this to a friend? I think that’s a no-brainer. If you want one of the best turntables made today, this is it. It must be because it’s what professional DJs and audiophiles use and listen to. I can’t say too much negative about it. The setup was a bit of a struggle, and the sheer weight of the unit can be tough to connect cables and cords to, but once the setup is done, it’s just sitting back and enjoy.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We are extremely grateful that you took the time to send us your observation about our product. Thank you so much for this detailed feedback! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Weight
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Textbook example of "you get what you pay for"

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    leg·end·ar·y ADJECTIVE fabled · heroic · ancient · traditional · fairy-tale · storybook · romantic · mythical · mythological · famous · celebrated · famed · renowned · acclaimed · illustrious · esteemed · honored · exalted · lauded · lionized · vaunted · venerable · notable · noted · well known · popular · prominent · distinguished · great · eminent · preeminent · outstanding · revered · glorious · remembered · immortal · unforgettable My personal thoughts? Oh·My·God This turntable (and the rest of the SL-family lineage) is that good. There is a model at just about every price point from entry level hobbyist right on up to comical audiophile snobbery cut from the pages of High Fidelity. Anything beyond that is typically boutique offerings that are far from household names and even further from what is discernable to the human ear. When it comes to an "every day, run of the mill" high quality turntable, Technics has been doing it better for longer than others. They also have the track record to prove it. A six-year gap (2010-2016) aside, they have been making the SL direct drive line since 1972. Parent company Panasonic has made sure to not try and reinvent the wheel that Technics (Matsushita Electric) put in motion, they have simply ensured it stays as round as possible and continues in said motion. I mention this to show not only can you find a model for your wallet, but also that this isn't a start-up, Kickstarter funded, or some other newer offering with a very short period of development and tech behind them. Sure, those brands occasionally have something new to bring to the table. And from a design perspective, there have been some great innovations, but there is something about a timeless, classic design and approach that when done well is always appreciated and welcome at the knights of the roundtable that is enjoying a high quality auditory listening experience. Prior to the 1210G/GR, the line was known as the 1200 series and it followed a "MKx" (with the x representing the generation of the build; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and finally 6) nomenclature. During this time Technics used the 1210 to designate an alternative color (gloss black, matte black, black with silver specks, so on and so forth). Along the way, each generation added new features and innovations to the mix. Again, this is worth noting because more than a few of these were things that Technics created themselves and others are merely mimicking. This brand is the originator of a number of improvements, namely the direct-drive motor system. What you have with the SL-1210 GR is all the best attributes from those MK1-6 offerings as well as a number of improvements in this latest "Grand Class" line and MK7 models. The SL-1210G (and 1210GR) are just that. The G provides you with a classic silver finish that has been around since the 1972 introductory model year. The GR brings a matte black finish to market that, in my opinion, is the cleaner, more sophisticated looking of the two offerings. It is also the one I will be reviewing and providing photos of. Upon opening the box, you are greeted by a beautiful brass platter. This by itself is nearly as heavy as the entire other turntable I have in my office at home. Everything else short of a cartridge and a pre-amp is present in the box for you to get going. You will find all documents, set screws for the platter, screws for the headstock and your cartridge of choice, as well as some RCA cables, a power cord, a cartridge spacer, grounding cable and the body itself. And let me tell you, what a body. This thing is HEAVY. My other turntable is ~17 lbs., the SL-1210 is approaching 40lbs. And while I have listened to some extremely high-end systems that are ~100-150lbs, there is a certain threshold where all that extra weight really isn't going to do much aside from making it very difficult to move whenever that time comes. Having said that, weight is a very good thing when it comes to sound. It keeps vibrations at bay and resonance where it needs to be and out of where it doesn't need to be (via dampening). I could play an album on my other turntable and set my hand down on the counter as far as 10 feet away and if I do it firmly enough not only might the record skip, but you could hear and audible thump that would travel all the way through the surface to the speaker and come out as an audible noise. When trying the exact same thing after getting the 1210 all set up, I could not get the same noise to emit from the speakers, or the album to even skip. Sure, if I slammed my hand down 6 inches from the turntable it would likely do it, but I was more so going for a real-world "setting a glass down on a coaster on the same surface as the player and what was that? Why am I hearing this action over here out of my speakers?" That's how good the dampening is on this thing, simply amazing. Not going into any specifics as to cartridge, stylus, speakers, pre-amp, etc etc (as this review is not about those things) I will say that regardless of what cartridge I used, which speakers I ran it to, or what pre-amp I powered it with, the SL-1210GR sounded amazingly beautiful. Some carts perform better with particular genres of music, so keep that in mind. This is also why you will notice in some of my photos there is a silver headstock, as that is my backup (the headstock that ships with the unit is black). Speaking of headstocks, I love that you have the quick-change option on these as you can purchase additional headstocks, load a cartridge on it (be sure to follow the manual for proper setup) and completely alter your sound profile in a couple seconds. Also found in the manual are how to setup and balance your tonearm, adjusting the turntable start/stop speed, armlift height, and how to update the firmware, to name a few. There are just so many things you can adjust to suit your style and accommodate the cartridge of your choice, not to mention tonearm as I know a lot of people have a personal preference in that regard, as well. The quality of the materials used, the improved dual-motor direct drive system which provides more consistent speed/torque performance, and the other tech in this turntable warrant the price. Easy recommendation if you are in any way serious about your listening experience.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We are thrilled to have you as part of the Panasonic family! Thank you for sharing your kind words with us. We look forward to hearing from you again soon! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Tone arm
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Epitome of turntables..

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I have been dreaming to get a turntable of this magnitude since I was a teen and rightfully so. The build is just solid all the way around. It is stable (heavy too) the parts are all solid and down to the detail with great finishes. My wife and I own a bunch of old vinyls. We just kept them from long ago and go figure they are hip again. Too funny. What's next full bell bottoms? Listening to vinyl is by far way better than electronic versions. The tones are deeper and richer and the analog nature of the sound quality is just nice. You just need to make sure you clean the record to reduce popping from dust. Note. You need an amp and a needle when purchasing this. Phono needles can run up in the thousands of you want to spend that much. Your call. I am running a magnolia caliber amp and picked multi channel stereo as my option to enjoy the music. The Dolby forced center channel to be too much. All the options to balance and fine tune the turntable is great. From arm balance to pitch to speed. RCA input and grounding came with turntable. The grounding is needed if you don't ground the turntable you can get a humming sound which is the electrical interference from the power outlet. It's called ground loop due to the sine wave generated by alternating current. The lights are all nostalgic. You need to be a serious audiophile to enjoy this turntable. I would recommend this product based on my experience with older turntables and my vinyl collections burning desire to be listened to again.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for taking the time to provide us and the community with your thoughts! We appreciate the five stars and are happy to hear you like the product. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality
    Cons mentioned:
    Setup
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    WOW what a Turntable

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    What an amazing Technics GRAND Turn table. Now I understand it is very expensive but you pay for what you get. And this Technics most definitely delivers in sound and fidelity. Setup is not for the basic user without some preparation and a bit of research. But with Youtube and Google search you can assemble in less than an hour and tune. Yes I said tune because you need to adjust the head depth and needle weight. I made the mistake of not checking the weight requirement for my phono cartridge. So the sound at first was very off and any time I even walked near it skipped badly. But that was my fault I wanted to leave you with my mistake so others don't do the same. But once I dialed in the correct pressure with the counter weight. What a grand sound it woke the album up. MJ thriller! Most definitely recommend it as a first listen if you are into old records like that. I must also say don't be afraid to take your time. The less you rush it and assemble it correctly you will be rewarded greatly! I paired this with my Sony 2 channel amp with A pair of Sony core Bookshelf speakers. You can go high end and get a really nice 2 channel setup but I can honestly say my Klipsch 5.2 sound system would be an overkill. Due to my 2 massive Subs I decided on 2 channel listening with the Sony Core. Just the right amount of sound and i could turn the audio loud without causing any skipping. I listened to over 4 hours of music. And it only got better the longer I listened. I was honestly almost moved to tears when I first got it tuned and playing. The sound reminded me of my dad's system from the 1980's. We used to listen to it all the time and I learned about the record speeds and how to care for the player. In conclusion the build quality and craftsmanship is second to none. From the arm lever to lift off the record to the counter weights you can attach. To the center spindle weight that keeps the record down in the center and avoids the needle from hitting the spindle itself. So much quality in this unit. I didn’t bring up the phono Cartridge due to how wildly they vary and your own listening preference. I would recommend doing good research and picking one for your listening taste. I have 2, one with the dual mag .6mm diamond tip. But you don’t need to spend tons of money on a head. They make very good ones that will complement the player very nicely. With that being said also check the head tracking force and adjust that based on the setting in the directions. This is what I Didn't do correctly as I stated earlier.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and feedback with us. We're grateful for your honest feedback and we're glad you feel we're on the right track! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Ummm, wow. I love vinyl again

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I've been in and out of audiophile equipment in my adult life depending on how much extra cash I had and where I was living. I got into the high-quality CD players, pre-amps and amps and, of course, speakers. Vinyl got left behind for many years. Recently though, I inherited a substantial collection from my father and had nothing on which to listen. Then I obtained this masterwork, the Technics SL-1210G. This no standard record player. This is a direct drive turntable long popular with both audiophiles and DJs for its build quality and many dynamic features. It's hefty, weighing over 20 pounds of gorgeous gunmetal colored aluminum. This is a rock-solid foundation for the coreless direct drive motor and three-layer brass and aluminum turntable platter upon which you will place your albums. A balanced (with changeable and adjustable weighting) magnesium tonearm on a gimbal suspension ensures high sensitivity and excellent tracking. I coupled the tonearm with a Hana EH moving coil phono cartridge on the easily changeable head shell. This a great feature because it provides the freedom to pre-mount and tune different cartridges for perfectly matched playback- all in a matter of seconds. I mentioned adjustability...my buddy and I geeked-out on tweaking this gorgeous piece of equipment. Pitch, tracking force, base levelers/isolation feet all at your fingertips. Two small lights allow you see what you're doing without ruining the ambience. A bonus not just for DJs. We run this through a pre-amp connected to tube amplifiers, tower mid/high monitors and internally powered separate subwoofers. It was amazing. The sound is crisp, accurate and stable. We tried albums that varied in quality of manufacture and recording and all sounded good, with very slight tweaks. It's beautiful to look at, use and listen. Highly recommended.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for your support. We are dedicated to consistently providing the best possible experience and your review encourages us to maintain this standard! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality
    Cons mentioned:
    Setup
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Beautiful Elevated Sound That is Unmatched!

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I’d say like the name suggests that this turntable is in a class larger and more grand than you think. Once you’ve set it up, picked your record, adjusted your speakers, and poured a drink you’ll be in love with the lost art of music and record players. I’ll be honest as a thirty year old I thought I could t possibly get any benefit from a turntable but I remembered being younger and my my grandma playing this Patsy Cline record. It was awesome, I can still remember Crazy being on there. So I’m an act for recreating nostalgia I got the Grand Class and I’m so glad that I did. So setup is not as easy as plug and play, make sure you carve some time out for you to focus and calibrate your player. Really understand what you’re looking at from the screws to the major parts. Get yourself a amplifier it makes all the difference. Plug your speakers in, place your record, drop the cover it, and enjoy the crisp beautiful sounds for hours. I purchased a few Garth Brooks records because you can’t listen to him elsewhere and a Simon and Garfunkel album to listen to their song The boxer. If I could play you a sample sound I would. The sound from the Grand Class can’t be matched headphones or your MP3 players, I’m immensely happy with the Grand Class and I look forward to Holiday gatherings and dinners at my house. This winter I’m spending it hunting for albums I can’t listen to anywhere else and bringing them home! I hope I find a Patsy Cline album first.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Hello, we’re so grateful for your 5-star review! Thank you for your support and for sharing your experience. -C Panasonic

  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Everything old is new again

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I'm going to assume that if you've come to this page, and are reading this review, that you know something of the history of the Technics SL series. If not, I might suggest you look up the history of this highly vaunted piece of equipment. It has a "heritage" page. And right at the top the intro says: The SL-1200, which was the catalyst for the birth of DJ culture, continues to be a de facto standard even after more than 50 years from its market release. The SL-1200 turntable series has transcended the status of being audio equipment and is now treated as a “musical instrument.” Technics turntables have a long history worth knowing. The 1200 line was first introduced in 1972. In 1979 came the 1200MK2; circa 1987-88 I purchased one second hand and it is still my companion today; working as well as the day I brought it home with no maintenance other than periodic cartridge/stylus replacement. But with my acquisition of the 1200G, I'll now be passing it on to a new vinyl devotee; I'm sure it will serve him well. But I took the opportunity to take a goodbye photo side by side with its replacement, and we'll talk about that. I've been a vinyl enthusiast my entire life, and kept buying, even during the so-called "death of vinyl" years from 1985-2000. During the vinyl resurgence I purchased a VPI turntable; and now the 1200G has given me the reason to replace it. Why? In the world of high end turntables, there's a myriad of choices. Most of them are belt driven. The motors are usually separate from the plinth (base of the turntable) in order to reduce transmission of vibration. You need an outboard device to control the speed. Exotic tonearms can be a nightmare to align the cartridge as in the case of the VPI unipivot. Let's throw in removing the platter to oil the inverted bearing. Put it back together and talc the belt. This used to be fun to me. But I'm a little older now, I'm tired of all that, and I just want to listen to the music. Enter the 1210G. This is set it and forget it heaven for an audiophile. Mount your cartridge on the headshell, set up the VTA (verticle tracking angle), Azimuth (side to side deflection) and tracking weight, screw the headshell to the tonearm, and you're done. No need for constant rechecking. Have a second or third cartridge for when you want to change the flavor or nuance of the music? Going from rock to jazz to classical? No problem - just plug it into the tonearm. Getting back to the side by side shots of the 1210G vs. MK2. To the casual observer, there's not much that distinguishes one from the other aside from the color. The G has a button that activates 2X on the pitch slider; and another button to reset it. Unless you're a DJ, it's not something you'll ever have the need to touch. The only other obvious visual clue is the bronze colored edge of the platter peeking out underneath the black mat. This is where it gets crazy. The G's platter itself has probably on the order of 3X greater mass than the MK2's. It's a brass and aluminum 3 layered structure with anti-resonance rubber backing. Correspondingly, the platter slip mat supplied with the G is half the thickness and weight of the MK2. This is the visible part of the upgrade; most of the improvements are inside the case. The table is powered via a coreless direct drive motor with high torque. In spite of the increased mass of the platter, I believe the spec calls for startup to rotational speed of 3/4 of a second. Actually, there are a couple of other small differences between the two tables, the MK2 has a typical standard AC power cord; the cord on the G is more like something you'd see on a refrigerator; being the the stated power draw is 17 watts, not sure why the beefed up cord, I suppose some audiophiles might say this is to prevent intrusion from random electrical interference. The other difference is the ground wire, this time it's half the thickness of the MK2's, probably an 18 gauge. I would've preferred they stuck with something a little heavier. Digging deeper, there are major improvements to the case that houses these components, constructed of four-layered die-cast aluminum, BMC (reinforced polymer), and rubber plinth with 10mm aluminum top plate. On the top side, the tonearm is lightweight magnesium, controlled by precision tonearm bearings in a cut-processed housing. There is one minor annoyance I have - look closely at the on-off switch. The cylinder it sits on rises out of the table; on the G you might notice it comes up a bit further completely encasing the knurled part of the switch. The effect of this is that on the MKZ, there's enough of an edge that you can grasp the switch between your thumb and forefinger to turn the switch. With the G, the motion is more of pressing on the top with your middle & forefinger to turn the switch - not as comfortable. Again, minor annoyance to me; not sure why the difference other than the aesthetic of how it looks head on. As I was setting the turntable up, I came across something that really shows the quality of the components used in the build. When you hit the stop button, the platter has a brake function to stop the rotation so that you can quickly change the record. This is nothing new, the function has been available in all 1200 series tables. It's also adjustable, accessed through the holes you see in the platter. However, if you use the on/off switch instead of the start/stop, the platter will continue to freewheel until it runs out of momentum. I still had both turntables running side by side at this point, and hit the on/off switch simultaneously. What I saw surprised me; so much that I took out my phone and set up the stopwatch. The MK2 ran out of momentum and stopped rotating at 13 seconds. The 1210G's platter was still spinning and ran - and ran - for a full minute before it coasted to a stop. I took a video of this and would've liked to include it in the review, but that's not possible. The appearance was as if the platter was floating frictionless on air. That told me all I needed to know about the quality of the motor bearings used to support the platter. I don't think there's much point in telling you how great the sound is on this table. Once you get to this level of quality, there's too many issues that cloud the opinion. What cartridge are you using? What equipment do you have and what are your settings? Are you listening to rock, jazz, classical? How's the acoustics in the room? All of these infinite variables that flavor the sound. All I can say is that given what I've seen so far, the 1210G will not be the weak point in your system and will handle anything you can throw at it with grace. It certainly is a more than worthy contender in the arena of high end turntables. As I mentioned in the beginning of the review, the heritage in the 1200 line is legendary, the 1210G is now the cherry on top of the sundae.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We're truly grateful for your 5-star review! Thank you for choosing the Technics SL-1210G and for providing such a detailed and thoughtful account of your experience. It’s fantastic to hear how the craftsmanship, performance, and improvements over the previous models have made a significant impact on your vinyl listening experience. We appreciate your insights into the setup and components, and we’re thrilled that the turntable is living up to its legendary heritage. We hope it continues to provide you with years of exceptional audio enjoyment! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Speed

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Technics SL-1210G Highly Recommended l

    |
    |
    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I have four turntables: a VPI HW-40 Anniversary, a Linn LP12, aProject HL Signature 12, abd this Rechnics SL-1210G. The Technics is the less costly but it does not have to envy anything from the other turntables. Its speed is perfect, definition, clarity and supreb bass. Comes to speed instantly and stops on a dime. I am using this turntable more than the others. Highly recommended!

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We deeply appreciate you took the time to provide us with your feedback! We are happy to hear the product meets your expectations. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Platter, Sound quality, Tone arm
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    A turntable for the true audiophile

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Every now and then a product comes along that sets itself apart from its competition. Technics does just that with the SL-1210G Grand Class. I have always wanted to upgrade to a turntable of this quality, but price was always a factor until now. This model is replacing my Denon DP-450USB which I bought 3-4 years ago. I have always had belt driven turntables, so I was very intersted to give this one a shot. Upon receiving the box, I was suprised at how heavy it was! It was 40 pounds! I opened the box and got to the work of putting it together. You have to attach the phono cartridge (bought separately) to the head shell and the counterweight to the tone arm. I went with the AT-VM760SLC. The tone arm is magnesium which gives a better feel and perfomance than aluminum. Make sure you follow the instructions closely about fine tuning the tone arm weight as it can be a little tricky. Next you have to install the platter which is VERY heavy on this turntable. It has an additional brass layer which really helps diminish vibration. After you get the platter and tone arm taken care of you can put on the dust cover, make any adjustments to the height, and plug everything in. Once fully assmebled, I was impressed with the black on black color scheme. The brass layer of the platter gives a nice line of color. It is a really elegan and simple looking design, but all the goodies are inside! It was finally time to put on some headphones and get to the business of enjoying my vinyl. I was not prepared for the difference. Turning the unit on, it fires right to life. The unit responds immediately with no lagging or speed inconsistencies.Torque is immediate and reliable. If it didn't have a brake the platter would spin forever when you turn it off! Compared to my Denon, the difference was incredible, and no more replacing belts! I am not a DJ so I do not really use the pitch control, but it is there if needed. It has a 2x feature in case you are interested. I recommend you fully read through the instructions so you fully know its operation inside and out. To say that my audio experience changed is an understatement! Compared to the Denon, sounds that were not supposed to be there are now gone and sounds that were never noticed are very prevalent. The richness and depth of the sound is nothing short of phenominal. I have never listened to vinyl this way which enriches my experience that much more. So many nuances that went unnoticed are now fully exposed and it is fantastic. Any vibration reduction advantage that belt drive turn tables have seems to have been negated with the coreless motor of the SL-1210G. It is smooth, quiet, and even. My vinyl game has been wratcheted up several levels as I feel that I am now finally getting all of the information stored in those grooves. Next investment is a pair of top shelf headphones. Thank you for this turntable Panasonic/Technics. It will be something I pass down to my son!!

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We deeply appreciate you took the time to provide us with your feedback! We are happy to hear the product meets your expectations. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Platter, Sound quality, Tone arm
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    An Audiophile’s Dream

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Ok, let’s start with what are hopefully a few obvious comments and get those out of the way. First, this is NOT a DJ’s turntable, and second, this is also not intended for an average user. It is for the true audiophile. Again, and with the price point alone, I hope both of those things are obvious. Now to the fun stuff. This thing is a beast; it arrived in a huge shipping box and weighs about 40 pounds. I did not own but have some familiarity with this system’s predecessor, the SL-1200G. Although also a very nice set-up, it lacked in some places and needed some upgrades (despite its hefty price tag). I did not find that to be the case with the new SL-1210G. Every sound that is produced from this turntable and run through my Bose speakers is an experience. You can almost separate every instrument, note, and word and hear it all as one and then it all comes together to make a song that despite having listened to it hundreds of times over the years sounds like something completely different in the best way possible. Even the percussion has a sharpness, a crispness to it that I couldn’t hear before. I tried some Boston and Fleetwood Mac and then really cranked it up with Metallica. They all “performed” like a dream and seriously, listening to an album like Rumors that is already telling a story, but then taking it to this level is a brand-new experience and like listening to the album for the very first time. There are subtleties to every good song and album that can be so easily missed, even with decent equipment. The SL-1210G brings all of that to the forefront in a striking way. Talking about the build here, it is important to understand a few things, not least of which because they do help explain that price tag. Yes, it’s hefty, but there’s a reason (actually several reasons) for that. You’ve got the basic design that made Technics so popular in the 1970s combined with modern technology and elevated materials. From the start, the feet are made of a special rubber for ultimate vibration dampening. The tone arm (S-shape) is made from a magnesium alloy, which is harder and more rigid than aluminum, further reducing vibration. Let’s round this out (…pun intended) with the platter. It’s a three-layered construction with brass, aluminum, and rubber. It looks and works as cool as it sounds. I honestly don’t have any complaints. This thing is a beast and just a pleasure to use and enjoy. Again, this is not for your average listener. It is meant for someone who has a discerning ear and wants the ultimate machine to cater to that.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a fantastic 5-star review. We're absolutely thrilled to hear about your positive experience with us. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Speed, Weight
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    If I could give it 6 stars I would

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Technics has always had a reputation for excellence when it comes to audio equipment and especially turntables and record players. Upon receiving this, the box was massive! Opening it up was like getting your most wanted Christmas present on Christmas morning! Looking at it visually it's stunning! It's as if Elon Musk and Tony Stark got together and made a turntable for the future. You can see the quality in the materials that were used, from Magnesium, to solid Brass, all wrapped in a brushed black aluminum exterior with polished highlights. Much like high car audio manufacturers do, they've implemented the use of gold plating and brass for terminal connections and RCA's to eliminate sound degradation. The cleaner the signal and power supply gets you the best sound possible as well. It plays 33's and 45's and combined plays 78's. You can tell by the weight this machine feels bulletproof. It's roughly 40 pounds. With rubber dampening and a solid brass and aluminum die-cast, it gives the turntable perfect balance and stability. Playing my albums on this gives it that crisp warm tone you get from only listening to vinyl. It's a rich sound and so should it be at this price point. This turntable is definitely for the true audiophile. Someone who truly loves their music. Hooked up to my rack system playing through two sets of 12 inch and two more sets of 15 inch Cerwin Vega house speakers I've had since 1995, this player brought them to life and even with all of that bass this never skipped a beat. From classic rock to my old school hip hop and rap albums just simply amazing. What's in the box? 1 - Turntable 2 - Turntable Mat 3 - Dust Cover 4 - EP Record Adaptor 5 - Balace Weight 6 - Auxiliary Weight Small 7 - Auxiliary Weight Big 8 - Head Shell 9 - Overhang Gauge 10 - Screw Set for Cartridge 11 - PHONO Cable 12 - PHONO Earth Lead 13 - AC Mains Lead 14 - Screw Set for Turntable 15 - Owner's Manual Would I recommend this to others? No doubt! If you have the coin and love music as much as I do I'd say it's worth every penny

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you love the product. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Speed
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The Pinnacle of Turntables

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Technics - Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System is spectacular for the audiophile that loves playing songs on the turntable. This turntable system delivers an all-around exceptional experience. The design is marvelous. Gorgeous chassis. Quality assembly. Outstanding sound. Exciting to use. The Technics - Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System provides amazing sound quality that makes you feel as though you are in a music hall or professional music venue. This turntable system delivers the music to the speakers with such clarity that you can hear all the nuances in your music. Every note, every additive, each embellishment of the instrument or vocals, every lyric and tone differentiation comes through crystal clear. I am using average-moderate grade cartridges, and the output is connected through my amplifier with 7.1 channel output. The entire solution sounds amazing. The turntable system is easy to setup. The connections are well placed, making it easy to place the turntable in an ideal location where you group cords and hide them from open view. There are controls for 33 and 45 speed settings. Easily adjustable arm. Set the pitch with a simple slider. Very intuitive controls make using this turntable more enjoyable. I love the blue light that illuminates the record deck. It creates a very nice effect especially when the lights in the room are low. The Technics - Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System is definitely the best turntable I've used. Every aspect of the system exemplifies the pinnacle of high quality. You will not be disappointed with this turntable. I find myself using it more and more just because of how enjoyable the experience is each time I do. I definitely recommend this turntable system to a friend and all audiophiles out there.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      We deeply appreciate you took the time to provide us with your feedback! We are happy to hear the product meets your expectations. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality, Tone arm, Weight
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    A well built turntable producing studio quality so

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The Panasonic Technics SL-1210G Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable is an extremely well built piece of modern technology. The first aspect that I noticed about it was how heavy it was taking it out of the box. It is just as heavy, if not heavier, than my Marantz amplifier that I used to connect it with. The assembly of the Panasonic Technics SL-1210G Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable is a tedious task and requires assembly in a specific order of detail. After I finished assembling my Panasonic Technics SL-1210G Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable, I was able to listen to my old 45 singles and 33 albums. With the modern technology of the Panasonic Technics SL-1210G Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable, my old records were able to sound studio quality. I can make several adjustments to affect the quality of sound being picked up from the stylus. Adjustments can be made for horizontal balance, stylus pressure, anti-skating, tone arm height, armlift height, and turntable start up and brake speed. Controlling the pitch of my music is also possible with the Panasonic Technics SL-1210G Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable to speed up or slow down slightly the music to its perfect studio quality. The Panasonic Technics SL-1210G Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable is truly the best turntable I have ever listened to vinyl recordings on.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for your positive feedback! It's wonderful to hear you are enjoying the product! -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality
    Cons mentioned:
    Setup
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Aural Nirvana & A Time Machine To Better Days

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    TLDR: I had planned to do a more detailed review, but seeing much better technical reviews than I could ever hope do made me scrap those plans and tell you how the Technics SL-1210G made me FEEL. It makes me feel like I'm a kid again and it takes me back in time better than a souped-up DeLorean at 88 miles per hour. Let me start out by saying that this is not going to be a technical review. Others on here have already blown away anything that I might have added to that conversation, other than to say that if you think that this turntable is 'too hard' to set up, you are wrong. It is completely manageable to someone without years of experience, but you will want to read the owners manual and perhaps check out some tips online. What this review IS, is a review from a digital audiophile who wanted to branch into vinyl and has a good idea of what music SHOULD sound like. First, a quick background. My dad and I did not throw the baseball or football around. We did not watch sports together. We watched movies together and we shared a love of music. When my dad got picked up to become and officer in the Air Force, he treated himself to an upgrade to his turntable/amp/speaker setup. I used to LOVE sitting in our living room with his headphones on and listening to Toto IV, Credence Clearwater Revival, the Beatles, Four Tops, Temptations, REO Speedwagon, and on and on. I would spend all day there, gingerly mounting the record and placing the needle just right, and being sure to jump on it right when it was done with the side. This was in the early 80's and those were some great years. We moved from that assignment and unfortunately the movers destroyed my dad's turntable. They paid us for it but my dad, not having time any more to really listen, just got a cheap record player and it was never really the same. So now 40 years later (ugh), I have turned my dad into a digital audiophile now that he is retired. He has all of his songs on an iPod and he loves to listen to them and jump between tracks and set up playlists. I on the other hand, want to go the other way. I miss sitting and listening to the 'story' of a record album. Really great albums had a story or a flow to them that you don't get as much now because it is easy to just buy a single song off an album and be done with it. So now I'm almost 50, I have disposable income, and a nostalgia streak a mile wide. I'm in the process of re-doing my 'man-cave' and decided that I want a NICE system to listen to records again. In comes the Technics SL-1210G. Is it more player than I need? Yup. Am I glad I got it? You betcha! My set-up seems to be a bit different than many of the other reviewers on here. I did not set up the Technics as part of a huge audio system. My set-up is the Technics 1210, a Schiit Mani 2 Pre Amp, a Schiit Magni Heresy Edition headphone amp, and a pair of Sennheiser HD650s. The only other thing I bought for this set-up is an Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge. This set-up is designed for me to play the record while sitting right next to the player in my easy chair. Let me tell you, this rig is audio heaven! I had confiscated a few classic albums from my parents last time I visited them and I purchased a few recent re-issues. I plan on moving on to building up my vinyl jazz collection (which is what I listen to most at home), but right now I am immersing myself in nostalgia. First up was the 2020 re-issue of Toto IV. Toto was comprised of a lot of session musicians and their albums are known as phenomenally produced albums. Putting on those headphones and dropping the needle on that record might as well have been a time machine throwing me back to 1982. It sounded SO GOOD! I then went to my parent's Beatles albums and they were a little worse for the wear and boy howdy did the 1210 make that obvious! Even with a serious cleaning and using the Zero Stat gun (I also swiped his old cleaning kit), it was obvious that time and cheap players had not done those albums any favors. It's a bit sad, but it just gives me a reason to go out and pick up new replacements! I then put on the 50th Anniversary edition of Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys and it actually brought tears to my eyes. I started with side 2 and the classic "God Only Knows". Rightly considered one of the best songs ever and it has been one of my favorites since the first time I heard it. It was so absolutely perfect. It felt like I was in the recording studio with them. I could go on and on about my week of audio bliss and just how much I'm looking forward to getting decades of use out of this player. I guarantee you, I will be the one giving out before the Technics 2110G does. As others have pointed out, this thing is weapons grade precision and heft. It is not a toy, and it is now my most prized possession. I don't have children but it almost makes me wish I did just so I could pass it along, because this WILL be an heirloom item. Final Thoughts: If you are REALLY looking at this turntable, you already have an idea of what it can do. If you don't, look elsewhere. But if you are serious about music and particularly about vinyl music, you can't do any better than the Technics SL-1210G Grand Class, especially at this price or even much higher. I am incredibly happy with this turntable and I'm certain you will be too.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you so much for sharing such a heartfelt and nostalgic review of your experience with the Technics SL-1210G. It’s truly touching to hear how this turntable has helped you reconnect with the music and memories from your past. -C Panasonic

  • Pros mentioned:
    Sound quality
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Impeccable Craftsmanship & Unparalleled Sound

    |
    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The last paragraph details my setup, if interested. Novice to experienced audiophile, you cannot go wrong with this. If you are a beginner, [1] all of the setup is typical for a turntable and is necessary, and [2] re-read directions before wiring/installing the cartridge, especially if you paid a lot for it. Invest in a $17 scale to adjust the needle force. The Technics SL-1210G is beautifully and thoughtfully constructed, and is a piece of art in and of itself. Everything is heavy and well-constructed. Everything, including the On/Off button and tonearm balance, is textured and ergonomic, which elevates the experience. It’s amazing. Everything sounds warm and bright, like an old tube-amplifier. Music permeates every part of my life; I use it to get pumped up and to relax, to celebrate and to mourn, and for catharsis. It’s nostalgic to a degree, and I’ve always bought the music I grew up on; oldies from the 60’s, 70’s classic rock, rock, and later jazz and blues. I’ve used turntables in the past that were okay, but I’ve wanted a ‘real good’ turntable for at least two decades. If I would have known what I was missing, I would have had something like this caliber a long time ago. I listened to ‘The Great Gig In the Sky’ (Pink Floyd) and ‘Gold Dust Woman’ (Fleetwood Mac), among many songs, and heard background sounds that I’ve never heard prior, even from CD and lossless audio files. The Technics SL-1210G has an extremely solid plinth (base) with firm, adjustable vibration-dampening feet. At ~35 pounds though, the tank-like plinth is a bit overkill, in conjunction with a heavy brass and aluminum platter. I’m a big guy and I played ball with my dog while listening to records, with no skipping. This isn’t, and can never truly be, a plug-n-play type of device. You need to connect the cartridge to the headcase and adjust length, adjust and balance the tonearm, adjust the height of the tonearm assembly potentially, adjust the x, and adjust the anti-skate. Just like any other turntable. The Owner’s Manual is written extremely well, has well-thought out / detailed illustrations, and is correctly written. The Owner’s Manual came as a paper copy in the box, which was wonderful. The only huge Con I have, to get it out of the way, is that the Technics SL-1210G didn’t come with some sort of phonograph cartridge. Cartridges range in price from ~$30 to over $10k (yes, you read that correctly). It is all about stylus construction which many times dictates the price point. A true audiophile will have their preferences for brand / type of stylus, which I’m assuming is the reason why the consumer can decide for themselves what is best. But in doing so, Technics has encouraged somebody to use a $30 stylus; I’m not a snob, but a $30 stylus will never be reasonably capable of showcasing the capabilities of this piece of equipment. As a good compromise, I’d highly recommend adding a paper or something about the types of stylus, shapes, construction, and help choosing a stylus. Assuming due to the motor control technology, I didn’t have to ‘officially’ adjust the pitch control. I only did it for personal amusement, to see what Janis Joplin would sound like if she inhaled helium before singing. I used an Ortofon 2M Bronze stylus (moving magnet; nude fine line diamond) on the Technics SL-1210G. It was connected to a Marantz NR1711 receiver with built-in ‘Phono’ hookup (with pre-amp) and Hi-Fi Fluance bookshelf speakers.

    I would recommend this to a friend
    • Brand response from Panasonic Team
      Posted .

      Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us and the community! We are grateful for the 5 stars and glad to know you are enjoying the product. -C Panasonic

Sponsored