Analog Gear News

Based on the Grand Class SL-1200G, the new 1210GAE is wholly made in Japan with a "significant level of hand-made processes" and features a full black anodized black brush hairline finish and black buttons.

The 55th anniversary model sports a special badge inscribed with its serial number, but beyond the visual "bling", the isolation feet are of a specially developed high density die-cast zinc and feature aGEL™ inserts also used on the "flagship" SL-1000R that has excellent shock absorbing properties. The new limited to 1000 edition SL-1210GAE has a new feature that lets you turn off the sometimes distracting strobe light.

Other features include Technics' Coreless Direct Drive motor, a Blu-ray drive-based motor control system and a triple layer platter featuring a brass top plate, die-case aluminum platter and a solid rubber coated underside that together delivers rotational stability and high inertial mass surpassing that of the SP-10Mk2 and more than doubling the mass of the SL-1200MK5. Other features include a magnesium tone arm and high-precision bearings as well as brass milled and gold plated phono jacks.

The 55th Anniversary SL-1210GAE's MSRP is $3999.99. The limited to 1000 unit turntable ships to dealers in late July and according to Technics the EU will get the "lions share" of those so the U.S. allotment is likely to quickly sell out.