Back in September Panasonic teased a prototype of their much anticipated direct-drive turntable, a follow-up to its timeless bit of gear the Technics SL-1200.

Although details were thin at the time there was plenty to talk about since production ceased for the original model a few years back and an ever growing gap in the market jumped upon by Pioneer and Numark.

Now theres more to get excited about with Panasonic revealing just what to expect with the latest and greatest incarnation of the DJ mainstay with two models ready for roll-out, a table dubbed the SL-1200GAE limited to 1200 units (duh) and one non-limited table dubbed the SL-1200G.

What makes these tables so great? It has to do with eliminating something called ‘cogging’.

Direct drive turntable systems have been beloved by HiFi enthusiasts since their birth in 1972. However, one problem that direct-drive systems have always faced was sound quality degradation caused by ‘cogging’, or tiny vibrations of the motor and rotational speed fluctuations. However, by combining the knowledge and expertise gained as the originator of direct-drive turntable systems with a newly developed coreless direct-drive motor without iron core, this ‘cogging’ can be eliminated. Any potential minute motor vibrations are suppressed even further by high-precision rotary positioning sensors guided by a microprocessor controlled system; a feature unique to the new Technics turntable.

What else is on offer? Read ’em and weep turntable fans.

All New Design for Redefining the Direct Drive Turntable:
Twin-Rotor Surface-Facing Direct Drive Motor
Direct Drive Motor Controller
High Sensitive Tonearm
Brass-Top Turntable Platter
Insulator

Technics Definitive Design: Inherited SL-1200 Series + Heavy Aluminium Top Plate

Turntable Speeds: 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm, 78 rpm

Variable Range Pitch: ±8%, ±16%

Dimensions & Weight:
W: 453 mm (17-27/32 inch)
H: 170 mm (6-11/16 inch)
D: 372 mm (14-21/32 inch)

Approx. 18 kg (39.7 lbs ) *Tentative *Height including dust cover

Terminal: Phono Output x 1 / SIGNAL GND x 1

Check out some images below to get you in the mood!