You probably won’t find this at a DJ booth any time soon – Technics just announced its latest SL-1000R turntable that comes in at an eye-watering US$20,000. Its build looks more like a minimalist sculpture than a functional piece of music gear, and it has ultra-top shelf features that you’ll need audiophile gear to maximise (and golden ears to hear) including a magnesium S-shaped tonearm and a 10mm thick brass vinyl platter.
Despite all this, it doesn’t have a pitch control fader, so this is strictly for high-profile listening rooms, top-tier audiophile set-ups, and carefree yacht parties of the one percent in Monte Carlo.
The SL-1200R makes the company’s recent SL-1200GR turntable feel like chump change – it costs US$1600, which is more in the price range of a CDJ-2000NXS2. It’s still beyond the reach of most DJs, but at least it’s got a pitch fader. For now though, we’re still quite happy with our decades-old 1200s that still work a treat for once-in-a-blue-moon retro parties or for when we just want to throw on some Pink Floyd LPs.
• The Technics SL-1000R will be available from Spring 2018.