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The Technics SL-G700M2 is a multi-digital audio player and music streamer that plays CD, MQA-CD, SACD, DSD and streams Amazon Music, Qobuz, Tidal and more.
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Panasonic introduced the Technics SL-G700 SACD/Network Media Player back in 2018 and the digital audio player offered both CD playback and streaming capabilities. The first generation source was well received but the digital world has advanced rather significantly in 4 years and the unit was due for an upgrade
Technics has announced the SL-G700’s replacement, the SL-G700M2.
What’s New with the SL-G700M2
To get started, some of the improvements made over the previous G700 include:
- Change out of the DAC chip from the AKM AK4497 to ESS ES9026PRO.
- New High-Speed Switching Power Supply (based on the one used in the Technics SU-R1000 integrated amplifier)
- Reinforced power supply (new noise reduction circuit)
- Characteristic (phase/amplitude) optimization on analog outputs
- Addition of a USB-B port on the rear panel for playback of compatible music files from PCs, and network audio servers.
- New Remote with direct Open/Close, MQA & Dimmer buttons
- Identical look to the previous SL-G700 except for a slightly different control knob.
Let’s dig into more details.
Source Inputs
The G700M2 supports Super Audio CD playback, which is becoming rarer these days, despite its excellent audio quality. The player’s “Pure Disc Playback” mode turns off all circuits except those required for Super Audio CD/CD playback to reduce the internal noise and enhance sound quality.
The G700M2 supports MQA and is capable of full decoding playback of MQA files and MQA-CDs.
Additional high-resolution formats that are supported include WAV/AIFF up to 384 kHz/32-bit, FLAC/ALAC up to 384kHz/24-bit, and DSD up to 11.2MHz file playback.
Streaming capabilities include Chromecast built-in, which enables a wide range of music streaming services from Google Chromecast-enabled apps, as well as AirPlay 2. Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® wireless connections are also supported.
As mentioned previously, the SL-G700M2 is newly equipped with a USB-B port that allows connection to a network audio server or PC for playback of high-resolution sound sources from the connected device.
Tip: There is also a front panel USB Type-A port for connections of USB Flash Drives.
Other connections include RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced analog audio outputs, as well as Digital Optical/Digital Coaxial Audio inputs and outputs. There is also a front panel ¼-inch headphone output.
In furthering digital audio signal processing technology for the G700M2, Technics’ goal has been to achieve phase alignment and ideal impulse response. Starting with LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration), which was first incorporated in the SE-R1 in 2014, the technology is now included in the SL-G700M2’s High Precision Coherent D/A Converter. Digital values to analog signals are converted with precision and output to an amplifier.
The process includes:
Coherent Processing: This improves the reproducibility of signals by minimizing amplitude and phase deviations that occur throughout the D/A conversion process for signals up to 192 kHz PCM using proprietary digital signal processing. As a result of this processing with purity of the sound is increased, and the sound image is clearer.
Tip: DSD signals such as Super Audio CD® are input directly to the DAC without performing this processing.
D/A converter in Dual Monaural Configuration: The dual ESS ES9026PRO is included in the DAC chip. The symmetrical placement of one L/R unit on each side and their independent transmission reduce interference and faithfully reproduce the sound image and musical space contained in the sound source or file.
Proprietary discrete amplifier circuit: The filter circuit after the D/A conversion uses an amplifier circuit with a unique discrete configuration that provides higher responsiveness and S/N ratio, reproducing even the most subtle sounds more accurately.
High-Speed Switching/Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply
The SL-G700M2 is equipped with a Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply that provides thorough noise suppression as well as high-speed switching of approximately 300 kHz. This is the same technology used for the analog circuits of the SU-R1000 reference-class integrated amplifier. By increasing the switching frequency, the interference of noise on the music playback bandwidth is reduced.
Cabinet Design and Chassis
The SL-G700M2 is divided into four sections inside the chassis. The power supply, digital interface, analog circuitry, and disk drive sections, are independent. This suppresses interference between circuits and reduces sound quality degradation.
The SACD/CD disc drive has a three-layer chassis with vibration-damping and quiet construction, including a disc tray made of die-cast aluminum.
The exterior features a hairline-finished 7 mm-thick aluminum front panel and 3 mm-thick aluminum side panels, as well as an engraved Technics logo for a high-grade design and finish.
Availability and Pricing
The SL-G700M2 will be available from Authorized Technics dealers for an MSRP of $3,499.99 at the end of January 2023.
Related Reading
Technics, Sony, And The 1970s: How Two Japanese Tech Innovations Changed The Game
Technics Celebrates With 50th Anniversary SL-1200M7L Turntable
CES 2022: Technics EAH-A800 Noise Cancelling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
CES 2022: Technics SA-C600 Compact Network CD Receiver
Technics Hi-Fi Audio Brand Reborn (2014)
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ORT
October 8, 2022 at 2:55 pm
“O, MQA, MAQ, wherefore art thou MQA?
Deny thy blather and refuse not play”…
Refuse, as in TRASH, as in the Codec that’tis MQA.
Refuse as in deny to buy it. The word is a two-edge sword not unlike that which hovered o’er Damocles or mayhap ’twas two-faced Janus but the truth of that is neither is to be fully trusted.
This Technics is a nice looking CD Player and that face plays the food of love that is music.
And the other face, the fa(r)ce of MQA?
More Sybil than Janus and none a one of them is to be trusted, let alone paid for.
At least Beetlejuice was honest when he said, “We’ve come for your daughter Chuck”.
In the case of this Technics CD Player, more’s the pity as it looks nice enough to own but not with Stewie’s Folly to be trollied as a package deal. Lose the Farce and toss the steamer then give it a USB input on the front and for the sake of sales, make it more homage to the SL-P10 and price it no more than $500. That is far from cheap for a medium seeking to be a digital Lazarus.
If Technics is listening I hope they have Emmet Brown on speed-dial…
ORT
El Posto Scripto – Please pardon any and all typing errorses.
Thankyewveruhmuch!
Ian White
October 8, 2022 at 5:51 pm
ORT,
“At least Beetlejuice was honest when he said, “We’ve come for your daughter Chuck.”
Line of the year.
Ian White
Tom
October 10, 2022 at 2:10 pm
When can we expect to see a review by this ORT?
Makes the whole family laugh and want more.
Ian White
October 10, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Tom,
It is very tempting to get Technics to send him one. We met in June in California and he’s a lovely guy. And he’s just as clever in the flesh.
Ian White
Richard
October 8, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Ian,
Could this be used as as a pre amp effectively, or do you mostly consider it a source?
Ian White
October 8, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Richard,
With active or powered loudspeakers, it could work as digital hub but I don’t see a volume control feature.
Ian White
Hadji
October 9, 2022 at 1:37 pm
No 5.1 capability? Why? Seems to be an outdated piece of equipment. The technology is there, why not use it and fulfill all the layers of the disc. Obsolete from my perspective.
Tim
October 8, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Love the USB-B addition. The other updates, eh, I’m skeptical how much they will matter, if at all. The change of chip is understandable–put it all together, I don’t see it being worth $500 more, but maybe the way inflation has been going we should be grateful it’s not even higher.
Tony Belding
November 2, 2022 at 10:28 pm
Can it stream over DAAP protocol from a PC, such as one running RhythmBox for example? Or let’s say. . . Is there another way to make my music library (including playlists!) available from my PC to this unit?
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