R1000: bit.ly/3bcE3fi ✅ *CLICK ❤️ THANKS above to highlight your questions & help support the channel!* ★ *QOTD: What does Technics need to do in order to become ubiquitous among the likes of Krell and Levinson?* ★ *COMMENT RULES: Please be respectful. No outside links, URLs, email addresses, etc. Violations are automatically deleted.*
Okay, I have to know: how did you do that shot? The one with the volume knob moving by itself? I need to know. Also, HDMI is a huge thing for me, as I have my system combined with my living room TV setup, so having an HDMI to use my speakers for more then just HiFi music from vinyl, is a must for me. (BlueSound Node comes in with one (yes, I instantly ordered it)).
I’m at a loss to understand why a company would want to make it hard to buy their products? Is street cred that important in the elite gear arena that selling their products on Amazon or Best Buy is going to devalue the gear? That’s a ridiculous business model from a company that used to sell full rack systems with glass door cabinets that everyone’s Dad used to have. At least that’s the brand I remember in all those wreck rooms.
Technics needs to be available through the respected online retailers like Music Direct and Crutchfield.Mark Levinson,Klipsch Legacy,and Macintosh all do well there with no diminished prestige.
Did you already review those Focal Sopra's and I missed it? Also, any thoughts on Linn Majik DSM to go up against your favorite NAIM Atom? Similar price, be interested to see if it's possible to de-thrown the Atom!
Yess, i have Technics SB-X700 from my old grandfather and it sound very good it have very high bass. But i have issues where when the bass too high theres like plastic sound, ik one of that speaker material from plastic but still it i can enjoy it. I want sell it but i remember that this speaker from my old grandfather so i would keep it because i guess it still good even i use it for 5 years more
Yes , I quite agree, back in 97 I bought a technics su 700 mk 111 amplifier and its been used heavily in the last quarter of a century and still looks and sounds as good as the day I bought it all those years ago, primarily for vinyl mated up with my sl 1200G .
I’m in my late 30s. Ok I’m 40. All I could afford in my earlier days was what I found at thrift stores. Old tube amps, busted separates and the like. I’d bust out the soldering iron, multi-meter, and schematics. Hit radio-shack for replacement parts and go to town. I still have a lot of that old gear. It’s awesome.
Who else has no interest in buying these products but comes here just to enjoy Andrew’s great charisma and sensible, intelligent insight? I guess it’s just comforting to know there is at least someone with a balanced, practical mindset influencing the audio world.
No brand has as special a place in my heart as Technics. I was very young when my father bought a Technics SA-700 receiver. I loved that piece so much. In the early 2000's I bought 2 of them off of eBay. If I were CEO I would pull a LEAK Audio and do a tribute to the SA-1000. I think you nailed it, however. They need to put it out there and let people know they exist. I wish they would boast about their past as well. When people are talking about the vintage Marantz, Pioneer, and Sansui, they need to remind people that they were a big part of those stereo wars too.
Grew up with Technics, it was the best system out of any of my friends and family. It gave me 20 years of happiness. Ill always have a soft spot for the brand. I wish they made more products
Thank you. My new mission is to control the spill coming in from the narrow window in back. It drives me nuts as it can cause my exposure to drift by a full stop while I record.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I fear its a battle can't be won, unless you were able to control that lighting, which you can't. I think it's just going to be a case of continuous fixing in grading.
Man, I love these reviews. The mix of Andrew's solo review and the convo that follows with Kristi gives me a sense of fullness that's, um, like listening to a Class A amp. (Yeah, I know that's a weird analogy, but I mean to say it feels satisfying, true and complete). Thanks y'all.
For TRULY High-End Amplifiers that are Cost No Object (no matter whether they’re integrated or a separate preamplifier and power amplifier pairing), I only think of brands like Dan D’Agostino (and he makes some BEAUTIFUL amplifiers too…. definitely dreamy cost no object stuff here), Mark Levinson, Krell, Pass Audio, and Audio Research. The “NEW AND REVISED” Technics makes some fine stuff too (especially turntables and to somewhat a lesser extent, amplifiers, digital gear, and speaker systems), but in my opinion, not enough to enter into the same conversation as these BIG BOYS yet (except turntables - I’d get an SL-1200 GAE or an SL-1000R for a reference level high-end system). But when it comes to other brands in which they invite comparison to, I’d say now, they’re more so on the same level as Musical Fidelity, Yamaha, and maybe McIntosh and Marantz. They’re more so on that level per se. But the Technics SU-R1000 ranks up there with any of the dreamy high-end amplifiers so mentioned here. That is a beautiful looking integrated amplifier. You get a thumbs up for this one, Andrew. -Charles-
Just received my su-r1000 & sl-g700 today. Sl-1200g should arrive next week. Really excited to play around with it. :) unpacked the sl-g700 today. Man it's beautiful.
I love love love the look of this device, but to my amateur ears its really really really hard to justify the price when you can purchase a Pre/Pro of many other brands for $2-3k and get probably the same exact performance/quality. But damn that thing is a work of art!
I'd like to request a video: best depreciated HiFi bargains. Speakers and amps that were super expensive new, but now the price has dropped considerably, so now they're a much better value than comparable recent products.
I picked up a mint Realistic STA-2600 for $80 the other day, was $500 new in 1987. 100wpc and a really airy, wide soundstage. I second this, would love to see a HiFi bargain video, but then again if everyone knows about them then the values are gonna shoot up due to demand. Can't really win here...
I can't afford the majority of what gets reviewed on this channel but god do I love watching them get reviewed. Your videos are just next level, man. They also just plain cheer me up by giving me hope lol.
*Best* looking amp of the year so far. And yes, I *love* the look of tube amps- glowing glass is art for me. Kristi's and your synopsis makes me really want to hear the R1000 also. ☺ Thanks for the great content as always, have a great Sunday!
Technics should try selling full systems through an online model. I had the lucky experience of listening to the Technics SL-1000R, Technics tower speaker and Technics amps 4 years ago at a show. I’ve been chasing that sound ever since and haven’t got anywhere near. I don’t have the money to buy that system but I would have brought a $3k~$4k technics system, if Technics puts one together.
The Technics SU-R1000 is a thing of beauty, but even if I was a multi-millionaire, I'd have a hard time buying a $9,500 to $10,000 amplifier regardless of brand. I'm sure it's worth every penny, but I probably couldn't make the leap, but hats off to anyone that has one because they truly have a treasure. :)
Interesting that a company best known for its turntables would decide to digitize its phono input on its flagship amp. Im sure it sounds great but something inside me is uneasy about my vinyl getting digitized. The amp looks amazing, bit over my budget but it is probably worth it. Great review guys!
Agree with the last 10 min of the review completely - I ordered a SU-G700M2 and had to wait a long time, it may be that demand for the product is very high. Finally it is getting shipped.
Love my Technics 1200GAE and also using a 2M Black cartridge. When the GAE model came out in 2016, I had a heavily modified 1210 mkII and the new Technics hit it out of the park. The old mkII couldn’t touch the new GAE & later G models. I like your review making me aware of this integrated amp and may consider picking one up. Now I gotta figure out my $$ to get it 😂. Keep up the great videos.
I am very impressed with my SUG700integrated amp and purchased it based on your review. But try to find a dealer that has it in stock good luck. Further, try to get in touch with them to get info. like headroom, gain etc. good luck they do not respond to emails( the one on the SUG700 website does not work and phone numbers on their website are not working either. I actually got in touch with Panasonic customer support to get a working number for Technics which I plan to call tomorrow. I am in lockstep with everything you said in your review as it applies to the SUG700as well. It is hard to believe the SU-R1000 could sound that much better but to get that 5% improvement you gotta spend over $7,000 more the laws of diminishing returns are at play. Great review Andrew spot on. If I was the CEO I'd fire marketing and distribution directors and have a sit down with manufacturing to see if all three are on the same page and get folks in that are customer-oriented. I'd also have engineering figure out how to get a bit more bass response since like class D amps it is a little light in that regard.
I think, Technics has a quite strange marketing strategy with still a strong DJ part and now uppper scale audiophile as well, while maintaining a weird gap in between. Just how I feel about it. And the SU-R1000 is really a killer. So glad you've covered that one.
Great review! It was really interesting and entertaining to sit through. I recently bought a pair of Focal Kanta No.3 and have auditioned a number of amps to go with it. I had scouted a bunch of models from the usual suspects brands but one of the dealers I was in contact with strongly recommended that I took a listen to the R1000. I hadn't had Technics in mind at all but I gave it a shot and ended up keeping that over the others I had listened to at home. It's a fantastic amplifier and a wonderful combination with the speakers I have. I do agree that it wasn't the best of the bunch of delivering low bass extension but fortunately that isn't much of a flaw for me as I'm using a subwoofer for the lowest frequencies anyway. I've lived with my Kanta No.3 - R1000 combo for a few weeks now and, though I was very happy from the start, I've gotten more and more satisfied with the sound of my system every passing week. I'm equally happy with the looks of the gear, which might be a secondary concern but certainly not unimportant.
I used to be a big fan of Technics amps and was friends with the head of Technics UK. They had a large range of amps up to high end pre and powers. Whenever I visited Akihabara the Technics amps were amazing. Loved their gear. Then I heard my first Naim amps and..... of course the problem is that my Naim pre amp was $10k 😢. 25 years later, still happy.
I had a Technics SU 7300 Integrated back in the day. It was a nice quiet, and clean 40 watts per channel. Worked great with the New Advent Loudspeakers I had along with a Dual 504.
You must have been reading my mind. I was wondering what happened to Technics, one of the best equipment maker's of my youth within the reasonable price range.
They don’t have to. The margins on a lot of these Higher priced Amps are insane for the manufacturers. Like Cables, those crazy cables that cost 5 grand, they make more of a single set of those than most cables make of 100 units sometimes even a lot more.
Andrew you “hit it out of the park” on this video and the video a couple of days ago. I own 2 SL 1200 MKll, a SL1600MKll and have never considered getting an amp made by Technics. As Kristi mentioned, the brand was also a household name in my house but only for turntables. It sound to me in your opinion, this amp represents a good value and that it could handle the speakers you threw at it. Maybe Panasonic needs a marketing consultant like Kristi. I will bet she would make Technics into a brand that would be compared the Those uber high end components. My opinion. And thanks for making my Sunday a good one.
The very first receiver I ever bought with my own money was the either the TECHNICS SA-110 or SA-203. I wish I could afford this integrated amp to be my very last. Because this SU-R1000 is one of the most BEAUTIFUL Audio pieces I've ever seen. BTW... Speaking of phono cartridges during your review, Some years ago when The Grandfather passed, I "inherited" the direct-drive PIONEER turntable I bought him during the late 80s. I was wondering if you could recommend a P-Mount cartridge. Or do a segment on cartridges some time. Yeah. I know "P-Mount" is a sacrilege to most Audiophiles. I just want to replace the current Audio-Technica I installed a few years ago with something better. And the P-Mount headshell is the only thing I have for the player. Thanks. Again... Another GREAT segment on another Audio piece I can't afford. LOL
Loved your comments towards the end, about the rest of the Technics gear. I own the Technics bookshelves and couldn't be happier and very pleased you mentioned them as I was dying to get your take on them.
$9,500 to $10,000 for that Technics amp sounds a lot (and it is, but there are even more expensive amps out there), but if I added up all of the used stereo equipment I acquired from thrift stores or eBay over the past 25 years, it would likely add up to $10,000 (turntables, receivers, amps, cassette decks, CD players, DVD/Blu-ray players, reel-to-reel decks, 4K TV, etc.), so there's something to be said for spending more for high-end equipment and having less accumulation as part of a less is more, choosing quality over quantity mantra. :)
I’ve been saying for 20 years someone needs to make digital phono amps that use digital signal processing to adjust for the characteristics of the cartridge, implement the RIAA curve in the digital realm where you can achieve much better performance, and also support multiple / adjustable curves. I think they should go further and offer click and pop reduction, harmonic distortion filters and other signal processing to improve performance on problematic discs.
I agree that Click & pop reduction/elimination is a must. Back in the day (my day - late 70's -early 80's), I had multiple turntables, cartridges etc but It was torture as you could not get a record without the usual surface noise and clicks & pops!l It got to the point that I could no longer buy Vinyl as the aggravation was just too upsetting. Being in electronic and digital design I built a device that through some clever sensing & timing techniques would totally eliminate all but the smallest click & pops. For me it was the answer. Around the same time 2 other companies came out with a similar device. This was just at the time CD's came along. At first the CD's were not so good but then improved. At that point I got rid of my turntables and donated my record collection to a friend and have never and will never go back to vinyl. Been there, done that moved on. This was also a time when ALL major manufacturers produced amplifiers etc that had specs like 0.003% THD not 0.5% like this 10K$ amp. I think most younger generations do not realize that back in those days great machines were the standard not the exception. My 38 year old Yamaha A-720 still works well and has not even been re-capped as yet. That's my 2 cents worth.
Their commercials on Canadian TV in the late 1970s pronounced this brand name so that it sounded identical to, ‘techniques’. My dad picked up an all-Technics system of SA-5270 receiver, SL1900 turntable and Technics two-way speakers back in 1978. A friend of mine and I torture tested it with a copy of Grand Illusion by Styx. My dad still has all the above mentioned components to this day.
I have one in black and I love it. I use it together with CD/SACD SL-G700, SL-1200GR and a Wiim Pro plus. The speaker I use is Ohm 2000 tall. It is the best hifi investment I have ever done.
I love my Technics SU-G700. Put it on my list of amps that I was auditioning based on your review and it won out over amps from Marantz, Simaudio, and Naim. It is powering a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 300 and sounds awesome. Would love to hear the R1000 but its pretty far out of my price range and I would need much better speakers to pair as it wouldnt be fair to the amp to just have it powering my Silver 300s, as it cost 4-5x more than them.
10K?? Well, I'd need to be promoted at work 3 times in a row to even start considering it... Waaaay beyond my means, Thanks for the video though. Nice as usual.
I tried to audition / buy the SU-G700 before... Could not find a local Canadian company that I could go listen to it or had a return policy. Only place I could find was an US dealer, that wanted more than msrp and their policy was you buy it = its yours.... Hopefully they get into the market. I think the tech and the design are interesting...
They've always made some high value products. I had a all in one system I purchased in the mid 90's that was great for the money. The towers had dual 10 inch woofers. For the money the sound was really good. My sister had the next one up I guess. Each tower had a 12 & 10 inch woofer I think. But they have always made excellent products.
Technics from what I've seen haven't received the best, or expected reviews. Nice amp. I still prefer the UI of the Yamaha AS 3000. hope technics brings back the knobs in the next version. Does Technics acutally want to compete with Levinson or Krell to begin with ? They never competed in that market in the 80's either. i grew up with Technics and was surpised to find out that Pioneer was receiving better reviews back in the day. But I still love Technics !
I have a great fondness for Technics. I was sold on your SU-G700 review. Sadly I could not find a dealer that had it to sell. After some time I auditioned the Yamaha-AS-2100 with the CD2100 too and bought them instead. I hesitated to watch this video knowing the outcome. Guess the garage needs a few less toys(sale). So this may adorn the listening room.
Andrew. Engaging review. Good to see you review. You have my subscription! After having read some 500 of the almost 900 comments posted to this review it is easy to say the topic is really engaging. To summarize and maybe with some exaggeration, the most negative comments stems from Technics being a mid fi company in the past (so what do Technics know about music really) and that a Digital, although GaN-FET (whatever) construction, can never motivate the hefty price tag. Now, ancient solid states, class A/AB and tube constructions, those are cost intensive constructions (and therefor easy can cost up to 100k USD or beyond). Also, that its originating from Japan, should keep the price tag down. Only American and European HIFI-gear is allowed to break the 10k USD boundary, one can read into some of the comments. It is also a shame it is nowhere to be audited. It is like Technics want to keep it exclusive to just a few. Or Panasonic (one of the largest corporates on earth) does not know anything about distribution. Well. I bought one the other week. To choose one in solid black was an easy choice. My Martin Logan Expression´s 11 are black. My Mutec atomic clock is black, so is my Torus Power conditioner. Also my Shunyata cables are black. Heck, even the window frames in my apartment are black. As said easy choice. As I do a lot of Tidal, FLAC, and high end digital, as well as in recent time, is increasing my vinyl collection as I got my first turntable (The Technics SL 1210 GR), I really wanted to update my 20 years old McIntosh combination to something of a child of this time. In the City in Sweden I live in there are at least 3 dealers that have Technics full product range for auditing. The one closest to where I live (ca 1 km) also have a few other respectful names in the range: Alsyvox, Apurna, Bryston, Burmester, Cabasse, Dan D Agostino, Dartzeel, Devialet, MBL, Melody Everest, Nagra, VTL, T+A, Audio Research, Martin Logan, Magnepan, Wilson, Vivid, Focal and Avantgarde. He is also a big McInosh dealer. To say he offers the reference and the market is an understatement. To spare us all a lot of words. I will conclude in short. With the Martin Logan 11´s (mine as well as yours's Electronic´s performance will always be a result of an equation including your speakers and your cables), there was nothing, and I really want to underpin, nothing that I could have bought in that store in this price range, that could present my digital music collection, in the absolute marvelous way the R1000 does. When it comes to the vinyl side, with Technics cartridge calibration, there is currently basically no contenders at all in this price range. Me and (the dealer) could not find any other combination that would reach the same heights. So if you are a vinyl lover, let me tell you, the future has arrived. And yes, David Bowies black star on Vinyl is outperforming the Tidal version, in a head to head comparison on this system. I never cared about construction. I always just wanted the best. If an electronic sport car is the fastest way to get around a race track, that the one I am going to opt for. I rest assure that sound wise the R1000 is among the best in its price range, as I have access to the references. One last thing. It is built like a Swizz high end watch. I know because I own a few of them. The Technics SU-R1000 is flawless. It is a beautiful piece of electronic jewelry and I am surprised it does not cost twice the price - it should. But I guess that’s down on the Technics brand. Lucky us!
Hi folks, so I have a question about placing speakers close to walls. I know I should be looking for something with a front port. I've been considering the Linn Majik 109 because they seem to be know for being good near wall performers. For near wall performance, is the front port the only important feature or should I be looking for something that is "voiced" for near wall performance? Thanks people!
This R1000 from everything you describe sounds exactly like a Yamaha A-S, which I own and yes can lack Bass but the clarity is beyond exceptional and with that said, you basically get what got recorded, bad recordings do not sound Good, and Good recordings sound Great with much Bass. Bottom line nothing is candy coated with the Sound.
Good review guys! I was a big fan of Technics back in the 70's and 80's, but now it seems like they're trying to catch up with lost time, after they disappeared off the face of the Earth. They came back and went straight to the high end audio market. I hope they didn't "shoot themselves in the foot" already; maybe they should make some more affordable items, etc...
First of all, THANK YOU for this review. I've been waiting for this review, since there are no store at all in my country that sells this particular unit. Again, thank you! :-)
If anyone does not think of Technics when it comes to amps, they never heard of the SE-A1 or the SU-A2 (still to this day, the SU-A2 is considered one of the if not still THE best analog pre-amp ever made), or have never heard of their AFP line of speakers.
It is certainly a beautiful piece of hi fi art. I just wonder how it would stack up against one of the McIntosh or Krell behemoths. I remember Technics direct drive turntables in the 1970s which usually fell short sonically against the Linn Sondek LP12 or the Pink Triangle and Oracle turntables. But thank you for reigniting my interest in a brand which I was once very fond of (I had the Technics SU V7 in the 80s) and thought had gone forever. I love all your videos 🙂
Technics amp is priced way out of my league, but I enjoyed this review and marvel that these kind of products are out there in the marketplace. Unless I win a big lottery, I will have to stick to the 20 year old Technics AV receiver that I have now. Great job again from you and Kristi.
Hi Andrew and Kathy Thank you again for a nice review of the Technics. I am a dealer of Technics in the Netherlands. The reason they are difficult to find is because they have production problems. So it makes no sense to have more dealers they cannot cope with exciting sales. The leed time for a order of sl1200 g or gr is in the Netherlands about 8 weeks. Sl- G700 almost 3 month's. So you understand maybe why they are careful to look for new dealers....
Appreciate the reply. And I understand the supply chain issues that everyone has been facing globally this past year or so, but prior to COVID they had similar if not the same issues. Also, I think you're lucky as it is clear Technics prioritizes Europe and Asia over the US, which I get, but for us in the States it sucks! Perhaps Technics doesn't need more dealers, they need more hands on deck to build this stuff.
Hi Audio Tempel - Kristi (or Kathy 😊 here)...we are not trying to say that production problems aren't a real problem industry wide but even before the health crisis, awareness/access was an issue.
@@KristiWright Um, back then, the Japanese ruled the scene, Technics, Sansui, Akai, Pioneer, Luxman ... These brands have mostly disappeared from the scene, with the exception of Luxman, who climbed a step or two higher. But anyway, all of these names fill me with nostalgia. And my first amp was Technics, with big VU meters - of course ... 😉
Matsushita/National/Panasonic/Technics since the beginning 60's has akways brought innovative ideas, quality products, sophisticated marketing and above all value to every price range echelon. This allows everyone, no matter their economic range to enjoy great music performances. I've sold, purchased and traded their products since i can recall and have had nothing but real admiration, for this traditional Japanese electric "appliance" company. They're simply always true to form, giving to customers truth in engineering and execution. Yes, Nakamichi, Pioneer, Sansui, Yamaha were/are worthy competitors but Technics (for me) will always be the first.
I just read Audio Tempel's explanation of supply chain problems coupled with the seemingly lack of customer support. It ALMOST seems as if they should break off from Panasonic/ Matsushita and form more of a small, cozy, customer-centric brand. Panasonic back in the '80s-'90's used to have a professional division called "Ramsa". Maybe it would be smart to redirect that brand name and continue with their high end offerings under that moniker. Look up the Ramsa WP 9440 power amplifier. Only 2 ui rack-mount space tall, but it was built like a tank!
My real hero will be someone who lives in some poor, wretched country (like mine - Bosnia) but, nonetheless, can place video review of this kind like Andrew. Since it is impossible, I can enjoy watching this, knowing what makes a sweet spot for the people who live in Western countries. Technics R1000 will not find his way to our shelves ever, but will be in our hearts with resonant sweetness of pure joy.
@@KristiWright Thank you, Kristi, for your kind reply. I hope I will find my way to the West, like Frodo Baggins, someday. Only that I will hear such a gear like this Technics, in some merry western city. At least just shortly. :)
I want to echo your opinion that hifi brands, need to focus more on online sales. There are ways that you can combine both. Bike brands do so as well order online pick up at a local store. Or just buy online and have it dropped off at your door. I personally buy all my stuff online, mostly because I cannot get most stuff at regular and even high end store.
Your graphic click baited me. "Technics is BACK"? I was in HiFi retail when a leading brand of cheap Japanese "compact" hifi systems wanted to get into the Component market. We received a batch of Receivers and Amps with the Panasonic label on them. I think it was maybe a month or so when we were told to pack them back up and ship them back to then receive the same units but with a new brand name, "Technics". Panasonic had figured out that their brand name lacked any credibility in the Audio market. It seems none of those actual companies exist any more. The brand names being bought and sold any number of times. Having little or nothing to do with what they were "back in the day".
It would help if you could actually GET their products. I've had a SL-1200GR turntable on backorder since December. I'm basically in love with the SL-G700 and I can't imagine ever needing a new disc spinner. But in general I think bringing out a line of products all at once, like Yamaha did with their integrateds, would be the best play. I mean the R1000 is out of my league price wise, but if there was a full range of products where the R1000 was the aspirational end point that would be a way to get people invested in the brand again. Great review! I really hope I get to hear the vinyl playback from this one day.
They actually have a nice collection of products that would fall under the R1000 but again, there is the issue with access and availability but it might be time for an update of those items. I hope you get your turntable soon!! That's gotta be hard to wait so long.
Excellent video as always: I would like bring the perspective of a 30 year veteran of retail HI FI sales: Do cables matter? Too many people obsess about the price of the cable and do not consider about where the cable is going to be used. In a Mid FI system, no one is going to spend more on the cables than what the system is worth. On the other hand, in the luxury group, someone with means to afford, the MBL Extreme, Wilson, Chronosonic, The Sonus Faber Aida, The Infinity IRS V's, or Focal Grand Utopia just to name a few, is not going to use a monoprice cable because it measures well and is cheap. If there is a rule of thumb, 5 to 20% is a reasonable amount to spend at the Mid Fi level. So if a customer comes to me to purchase speakers for music enjoyment and is not an audiophile and they are purchasing a $1500.00 pair of speakers, I would recommend spending $ 100 to $200.00 on speaker cables. If he doesn't want to, I sell him lamp cord and tell him to enjoy the music & have a nice day. I, also, mention if he gets the itch, to purchase the better cable at a later date with a full refund policy of 2 weeks. Then the customer can decide for themself if it is worth it. As far as break in is concerned, I can't remember any of the equipment manufactures recommending 100's of hours of break in. If they do, it is 25 to 100 hours: If it matters, I don't know, but its free and it is the buyers choice to do it or not. The more important break in is the listener getting used to the new purchase. If someone owns a piece of electronics for 10 or 30 years, a new piece of equipment is a radical change & it takes time to accurately evaluate the change. As far specs go, they only matter in the design phase as a guide to the end result. As soon as the product is unboxed, the room rules the final result. I hammer this point with every customer. If you purchase the equipment with the best specs and measurements, then put it in a room lined with glass, a tile floor with no rug, its going to sound terrible! Also, specs do not determine harmonic differences which is what I tell a customer to listen for. Its the harmonics that matter most and what makes a particular brand have its sonic signature.
@@KristiWright I know I just realized that: I thought I was replying to the 10 things I used to believe about audio: Its too bad that I was not paying attention because I made some valid points and I find that the U tube community does not hear any input from the people in the trenches who are trying to make a living in the audio business.
If you don't mind buying a Yacht for bluegill fishing. The Bose 901 are respected classic speakers, But they just are not a good value anymore. Sure in the 1970's they were a tough competitor. But its been 54 years and tons of remarkable speakers have been made since. The technology for designing and building speakers has progressed so much since then. And they keep getting better year after year. Honestly, entry level speakers from nearly any respectable brand today will run circles around the the Bose 901. Some examples i have heard myself, JBL Studio530 for $300. Klipsch RP160M for $350. Kef Q350 for $350 will all easily blow the 901 away.. and they are entry level. If you are considering spending that kind of money on a amplifier, Ditch the 901 because they are not even close to being in the same league. You deserve some good speakers. Your speakers are just as important as the amplifier. get some modern speakers are are similar in price to the amps you are considering.
@@Johnman9000 interesting and thank you for your valuable reply. I’m going to see if I can get my 1980 Technic 45w receiver to work with it and see how it goes. Used to sound pretty good. I may buy a new amp like shown here some day when I get my finances a bit better. Love music and playing it on a great system.
Yes, the Yamaha A-S3200 pairs well with Bose 901's. She runs a tad hot at times in bi-wired mode but still retains plenty of headroom at higher volume levels. The phono and headphone amps are especially well implemented.
I didn't realize Technics were still making audio equipment. I just moved a pair of 20 yr old SBT-200s out of my theater setup, I still want to hang on to them.
This phono stage calibration thing is the first innovation in vinyl in over 40 years (as far as I know). Sooner or later I want to listen to it, and maybe buy this ampli used at around 4000€ in few years from now... Or wait for a smaller sister with similar tech.
Therein lies the rub - trying to audition one of these babies in a showroom is next to impossible for most of us. BTW, Technics likes the Kimber Select line of cables for their complete system....ooops, I forgot that all cables "sound the same". I had my share of Technics components back in the '70's and 80's, along with Pioneer. Then on to "HighEnd" brands. Imagine an perfect world where you walk into a dealer who is waiting for you with a demo if the SU-R1000 vs Michi X5, Hegel 590, Pass INT250, ML 5802, Constellation Integrated, 1.0, McIntosh MA9000, etc. Just dreaming - what we DO have is Andrew Robinson doing the legwork for us...and for that I'm extremely grateful. 👍
@Andrew Robinson *Interesting you mention Technics distribution systems...I've been around for many decades now and Panasonic (who owns the Technics brand) has always been a bit unusual with their distribution even as far back as the 1970s. They tended to stick with smaller independent retailers and were very selective too. Even when you were looking at less expensive products you would have to hunt and search out a retailer that carried those products often times Panasonic would select different competing retailers to carry specific products they offered, so you would never find the entire Panasonic or Technics line ups at one single retailer in the USA. This has continued from the 1970s until today.*
I think the problem lies with the marketing division of Panasonic - the paenet company. They make what could arguably be considered to be the best Bluray player currently available, but not many know of it. They make some of the best TVs as well, but here in North America they are not widely known or easy to get. Much more availability in Europe, Oceania and Asia. I guess the same is true with the Technics brand. Panasonic makes some absolutely fantastic prodicts, but to me it seems like they prefer to let the product sell itself, rather than make an effort to inform the consumer that the product exists. BTW, nice review.
@ Chutgow Dingo-Loon BINGO! Very good observations about Panasonic distribution and marketing in the USA, it's been that way since way back in the 1970s when they were known as Matsushita/National company. They have always tended to select smaller independent retailers, and NEVER put their entire line ups in any one retailer, in fact usually you would have to go to as many as four or five retailers to find the entire line up of Panasonic branded products alone, not including Technics....crazy.
@@horseathalt7308 It's a shame that Panasonic does not have a good exposure in North America, becoz they really do make some excellent A/V products. They could really set the cat amongst the pigeons if they did - some of the best TYVs, digital cameras, video cameras, not forgetting audio and home appliances. They have a large slice of market share in Australia and Asia for sure, but are virtually non-existent here in North America. Hopefully things will change - we wait with bated breath.......sure is crazy.
@@chutgowdingo-loon3212 It is weird, it's almost like they didn't want the market share they could have had all along, I think that Panasonic products while maybe not as stylish as say Sony were generally more reliable and durable in the long run and usually at a more reasonable price, it has ALWAYS been that way all the way back to the beginning of the 1970s in the USA.
Panasonic tvs are easy to get in Europe. Pretty much every av store stocks their high quality OLEDs. I can even find some technics products in mass market electronics stores. The GL and Reference series are more difficult to get. I couldn't tell you what their marketing strategy is but of they want to keep things low key then they're doing a great job 😁
I would rather happy to consider a fully analog integrated amp over a digital one. If you have a digital amp. over time when there are no firmware updates it doesn't produce good quality sound with compatible soundtracks. Still, there's a possibility to buy a high-quality DAC and use it with an analog amp for a long time without worrying to update. Also, DAC's are reasonably priced and easy to swap with new technology. What's your opinion?
The output for connecting two different set of speakers is like the A or B switch as in any other amp (ex YAMAHA AS2200)? If yes, what’s the point of it? Because I have an old RCA Stereo receiver that has those outputs (A or B speaker switch) and I only can use one set of speakers at a time. I can not hear A+B at the same time.
The point would be to power say a main set of speakers in one room and a second in another, or two pairs in the same room. Say you like Klipsch for one type of music and JBL for another. As a reviewer it's a nice feature as it allows me to A/B speakers at the touch of a button.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Thank you so much for your answer. Anyways, I still find it kind of unnecessary for the average consumer. I mean, I get your point if you are on the audiophile bussiness as a reviewer. Totally get that. But for the average consumer that knows not too much about audiophile systems and can’t afford to buy 2 sets of premium speakers in my point of view is kind of overkill. But anyways, now I know with certainty. Thanks! I hope you and Kristi have a great Sunday!
Hi Andrew, thanks for the great review. I have an SU-G700 and really like the sound of everything digital through it. MM phone is medial ready at best. You have lived with both components, in your opinion, how much better is the SU-R1000 than the SU-G700?
Can this R1000 amp run a "split" mode like the Onkyo A-9000R where you can loop in a device between pre-out and main-in like the "active room EQ" some passive speakers come with?
This amp is going to be my last one, once you hear it on a AN-E speaker it gets 2.5x better. Good review, but itś actually a lot better than what is shown here.
Damn, you're good. I was about to ask about the watch you were wearing but I figured I should check the gear links just in case, sure enough it's in there.
R1000: bit.ly/3bcE3fi
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★ *QOTD: What does Technics need to do in order to become ubiquitous among the likes of Krell and Levinson?*
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Hi Andrew great to hear you .so so useful video.and your humble when you speak.thank you
Okay, I have to know: how did you do that shot? The one with the volume knob moving by itself? I need to know.
Also, HDMI is a huge thing for me, as I have my system combined with my living room TV setup, so having an HDMI to use my speakers for more then just HiFi music from vinyl, is a must for me. (BlueSound Node comes in with one (yes, I instantly ordered it)).
I’m at a loss to understand why a company would want to make it hard to buy their products? Is street cred that important in the elite gear arena that selling their products on Amazon or Best Buy is going to devalue the gear? That’s a ridiculous business model from a company that used to sell full rack systems with glass door cabinets that everyone’s Dad used to have. At least that’s the brand I remember in all those wreck rooms.
Technics needs to be available through the respected online retailers like Music Direct and Crutchfield.Mark Levinson,Klipsch Legacy,and Macintosh all do well there with no diminished prestige.
Did you already review those Focal Sopra's and I missed it? Also, any thoughts on Linn Majik DSM to go up against your favorite NAIM Atom? Similar price, be interested to see if it's possible to de-thrown the Atom!
I'm in my 50s and I still have a technics I bought back in the 80s until this day and it still sounds above others from this day and time.
Yess, i have Technics SB-X700 from my old grandfather and it sound very good it have very high bass. But i have issues where when the bass too high theres like plastic sound, ik one of that speaker material from plastic but still it i can enjoy it. I want sell it but i remember that this speaker from my old grandfather so i would keep it because i guess it still good even i use it for 5 years more
Yes , I quite agree, back in 97 I bought a technics su 700 mk 111 amplifier and its been used heavily in the last quarter of a century and still looks and sounds as good as the day I bought it all those years ago, primarily for vinyl mated up with my sl 1200G .
I’m in my late 30s. Ok I’m 40. All I could afford in my earlier days was what I found at thrift stores. Old tube amps, busted separates and the like.
I’d bust out the soldering iron, multi-meter, and schematics. Hit radio-shack for replacement parts and go to town.
I still have a lot of that old gear. It’s awesome.
Who else has no interest in buying these products but comes here just to enjoy Andrew’s great charisma and sensible, intelligent insight?
I guess it’s just comforting to know there is at least someone with a balanced, practical mindset influencing the audio world.
I just watch HiFi reviews to learn what's out there on the HiFi market.
No brand has as special a place in my heart as Technics. I was very young when my father bought a Technics SA-700 receiver. I loved that piece so much. In the early 2000's I bought 2 of them off of eBay. If I were CEO I would pull a LEAK Audio and do a tribute to the SA-1000. I think you nailed it, however. They need to put it out there and let people know they exist.
I wish they would boast about their past as well. When people are talking about the vintage Marantz, Pioneer, and Sansui, they need to remind people that they were a big part of those stereo wars too.
Grew up with Technics, it was the best system out of any of my friends and family. It gave me 20 years of happiness. Ill always have a soft spot for the brand. I wish they made more products
They've made some great products for sure! I would love to see them expand as well. Thank you so much for watching.
I was always a Pioneer guy back in the 80's, but I respected Technics. Owned a couple of Technics cassette decks back then.
I mean this sincerely: you've really dialed in that lighting. It looks exquisite.
Thank you. My new mission is to control the spill coming in from the narrow window in back. It drives me nuts as it can cause my exposure to drift by a full stop while I record.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I fear its a battle can't be won, unless you were able to control that lighting, which you can't. I think it's just going to be a case of continuous fixing in grading.
Man, I love these reviews. The mix of Andrew's solo review and the convo that follows with Kristi gives me a sense of fullness that's, um, like listening to a Class A amp. (Yeah, I know that's a weird analogy, but I mean to say it feels satisfying, true and complete). Thanks y'all.
Appreciate you hanging out to the end, David!
For TRULY High-End Amplifiers that are Cost No Object (no matter whether they’re integrated or a separate preamplifier and power amplifier pairing), I only think of brands like Dan D’Agostino (and he makes some BEAUTIFUL amplifiers too…. definitely dreamy cost no object stuff here), Mark Levinson, Krell, Pass Audio, and Audio Research.
The “NEW AND REVISED” Technics makes some fine stuff too (especially turntables and to somewhat a lesser extent, amplifiers, digital gear, and speaker systems), but in my opinion, not enough to enter into the same conversation as these BIG BOYS yet (except turntables - I’d get an SL-1200 GAE or an SL-1000R for a reference level high-end system).
But when it comes to other brands in which they invite comparison to, I’d say now, they’re more so on the same level as Musical Fidelity, Yamaha, and maybe McIntosh and Marantz. They’re more so on that level per se.
But the Technics SU-R1000 ranks up there with any of the dreamy high-end amplifiers so mentioned here.
That is a beautiful looking integrated amplifier.
You get a thumbs up for this one, Andrew.
-Charles-
Just received my su-r1000 & sl-g700 today. Sl-1200g should arrive next week. Really excited to play around with it. :) unpacked the sl-g700 today. Man it's beautiful.
I love love love the look of this device, but to my amateur ears its really really really hard to justify the price when you can purchase a Pre/Pro of many other brands for $2-3k and get probably the same exact performance/quality. But damn that thing is a work of art!
I'd like to request a video: best depreciated HiFi bargains. Speakers and amps that were super expensive new, but now the price has dropped considerably, so now they're a much better value than comparable recent products.
Yes!! This⬆️
PERFECT!!!!
I picked up a mint Realistic STA-2600 for $80 the other day, was $500 new in 1987. 100wpc and a really airy, wide soundstage. I second this, would love to see a HiFi bargain video, but then again if everyone knows about them then the values are gonna shoot up due to demand. Can't really win here...
I can't afford the majority of what gets reviewed on this channel but god do I love watching them get reviewed.
Your videos are just next level, man. They also just plain cheer me up by giving me hope lol.
Andrew is an amazing asset for all of us (besides his review of Bose’s small speaker🙄).
I have learned so much about so much he reviews and discusses.
*Best* looking amp of the year so far. And yes, I *love* the look of tube amps- glowing glass is art for me.
Kristi's and your synopsis makes me really want to hear the R1000 also. ☺
Thanks for the great content as always, have a great Sunday!
Thanks for watching Cory! Appreciate it!
Thanks for watching, Cory!!
You're quite welcome, thank *YOU.*
BTW, was "Bloody Brilliant" a Nirvana reference? ;-)
Technics should try selling full systems through an online model.
I had the lucky experience of listening to the Technics SL-1000R, Technics tower speaker and Technics amps 4 years ago at a show. I’ve been chasing that sound ever since and haven’t got anywhere near. I don’t have the money to buy that system but I would have brought a $3k~$4k technics system, if Technics puts one together.
The Technics SU-R1000 is a thing of beauty, but even if I was a multi-millionaire, I'd have a hard time buying a $9,500 to $10,000 amplifier regardless of brand. I'm sure it's worth every penny, but I probably couldn't make the leap, but hats off to anyone that has one because they truly have a treasure. :)
Interesting that a company best known for its turntables would decide to digitize its phono input on its flagship amp. Im sure it sounds great but something inside me is uneasy about my vinyl getting digitized.
The amp looks amazing, bit over my budget but it is probably worth it.
Great review guys!
That is a beautiful amp. The all around aspect and the vinyl playback are huge for me. I've got to hear this thing.
Yes you do!
That amp is beastly. Loving seeing the analog meters too.
Agree with the last 10 min of the review completely - I ordered a SU-G700M2 and had to wait a long time, it may be that demand for the product is very high. Finally it is getting shipped.
We'd love to hear it ourselves! I hope that you enjoy it when it arrives.
Love my Technics 1200GAE and also using a 2M Black cartridge. When the GAE model came out in 2016, I had a heavily modified 1210 mkII and the new Technics hit it out of the park. The old mkII couldn’t touch the new GAE & later G models. I like your review making me aware of this integrated amp and may consider picking one up. Now I gotta figure out my $$ to get it 😂. Keep up the great videos.
I am very impressed with my SUG700integrated amp and purchased it based on your review. But try to find a dealer that has it in stock good luck. Further, try to get in touch with them to get info. like headroom, gain etc. good luck they do not respond to emails( the one on the SUG700 website does not work and phone numbers on their website are not working either. I actually got in touch with Panasonic customer support to get a working number for Technics which I plan to call tomorrow. I am in lockstep with everything you said in your review as it applies to the SUG700as well. It is hard to believe the SU-R1000 could sound that much better but to get that 5% improvement you gotta spend over $7,000 more the laws of diminishing returns are at play. Great review Andrew spot on.
If I was the CEO I'd fire marketing and distribution directors and have a sit down with manufacturing to see if all three are on the same page and get folks in that are customer-oriented. I'd also have engineering figure out how to get a bit more bass response since like class D amps it is a little light in that regard.
@Scott Gordon, I appreciate you sharing your personal experience with us!
I think, Technics has a quite strange marketing strategy with still a strong DJ part and now uppper scale audiophile as well, while maintaining a weird gap in between. Just how I feel about it. And the SU-R1000 is really a killer. So glad you've covered that one.
Great review! It was really interesting and entertaining to sit through.
I recently bought a pair of Focal Kanta No.3 and have auditioned a number of amps to go with it. I had scouted a bunch of models from the usual suspects brands but one of the dealers I was in contact with strongly recommended that I took a listen to the R1000. I hadn't had Technics in mind at all but I gave it a shot and ended up keeping that over the others I had listened to at home. It's a fantastic amplifier and a wonderful combination with the speakers I have. I do agree that it wasn't the best of the bunch of delivering low bass extension but fortunately that isn't much of a flaw for me as I'm using a subwoofer for the lowest frequencies anyway.
I've lived with my Kanta No.3 - R1000 combo for a few weeks now and, though I was very happy from the start, I've gotten more and more satisfied with the sound of my system every passing week. I'm equally happy with the looks of the gear, which might be a secondary concern but certainly not unimportant.
Thanks for sharing your insight with real-world experience. You are one lucky owner with the R1000. Cheers.
I used to be a big fan of Technics amps and was friends with the head of Technics UK. They had a large range of amps up to high end pre and powers. Whenever I visited Akihabara the Technics amps were amazing. Loved their gear. Then I heard my first Naim amps and..... of course the problem is that my Naim pre amp was $10k 😢. 25 years later, still happy.
Just bought their new sac600 stereo receiver / CD player and love it. My first Technics product, but have been a long time admirer.
I had a Technics SU 7300 Integrated back in the day. It was a nice quiet, and clean 40 watts per channel. Worked great with the New Advent Loudspeakers I had along with a Dual 504.
You must have been reading my mind. I was wondering what happened to Technics, one of the best equipment maker's of my youth within the reasonable price range.
You’re right about Technics approach Andrew. I would love to see them more visible. Come out with more quality products at VARIED price points.
They have priced themselves out of a mass market. It's like they don't want to sell very many.
But Technics also has the Grand and the Premium class as well.
They don’t have to. The margins on a lot of these Higher priced Amps are insane for the manufacturers. Like Cables, those crazy cables that cost 5 grand, they make more of a single set of those than most cables make of 100 units sometimes even a lot more.
I would love to hear this one, I've had many of the older Technics gear but not and the newer stuff
Their newer stuff, if you can find it, is pretty amazing!
Andrew you “hit it out of the park” on this video and the video a couple of days ago. I own 2 SL 1200 MKll, a SL1600MKll and have never considered getting an amp made by Technics. As Kristi mentioned, the brand was also a household name in my house but only for turntables. It sound to me in your opinion, this amp represents a good value and that it could handle the speakers you threw at it. Maybe Panasonic needs a marketing consultant like Kristi. I will bet she would make Technics into a brand that would be compared the Those uber high end components. My opinion. And thanks for making my Sunday a good one.
My services do not come cheap 😍 .
The very first receiver I ever bought with my own money was the either the TECHNICS SA-110 or SA-203.
I wish I could afford this integrated amp to be my very last.
Because this SU-R1000 is one of the most BEAUTIFUL Audio pieces I've ever seen.
BTW...
Speaking of phono cartridges during your review,
Some years ago when The Grandfather passed, I "inherited" the direct-drive PIONEER turntable I bought him during the late 80s.
I was wondering if you could recommend a P-Mount cartridge.
Or do a segment on cartridges some time.
Yeah.
I know "P-Mount" is a sacrilege to most Audiophiles.
I just want to replace the current Audio-Technica I installed a few years ago with something better.
And the P-Mount headshell is the only thing I have for the player.
Thanks.
Again...
Another GREAT segment on another Audio piece I can't afford.
LOL
Loved your comments towards the end, about the rest of the Technics gear. I own the Technics bookshelves and couldn't be happier and very pleased you mentioned them as I was dying to get your take on them.
I am always totally mesmerized by your reviews, unbelievable job as always
That's very kind of you. Thank you for continuing to tune in.
I really hope we start to get equipment that looks that good into lower price tiers eventually. This is gorgeous but out of my budget range.
Wouldn't that be awesome?
The SU-G700 gets close in the looks department but is still in the $2-$3K range. Great amp though!
$9,500 to $10,000 for that Technics amp sounds a lot (and it is, but there are even more expensive amps out there), but if I added up all of the used stereo equipment I acquired from thrift stores or eBay over the past 25 years, it would likely add up to $10,000 (turntables, receivers, amps, cassette decks, CD players, DVD/Blu-ray players, reel-to-reel decks, 4K TV, etc.), so there's something to be said for spending more for high-end equipment and having less accumulation as part of a less is more, choosing quality over quantity mantra. :)
I’ve been saying for 20 years someone needs to make digital phono amps that use digital signal processing to adjust for the characteristics of the cartridge, implement the RIAA curve in the digital realm where you can achieve much better performance, and also support multiple / adjustable curves. I think they should go further and offer click and pop reduction, harmonic distortion filters and other signal processing to improve performance on problematic discs.
I agree that Click & pop reduction/elimination is a must. Back in the day (my day - late 70's -early 80's), I had multiple turntables, cartridges etc but It was torture as you could not get a record without the usual surface noise and clicks & pops!l It got to the point that I could no longer buy Vinyl as the aggravation was just too upsetting. Being in electronic and digital design I built a device that through some clever sensing & timing techniques would totally eliminate all but the smallest click & pops. For me it was the answer. Around the same time 2 other companies came out with a similar device. This was just at the time CD's came along. At first the CD's were not so good but then improved. At that point I got rid of my turntables and donated my record collection to a friend and have never and will never go back to vinyl. Been there, done that moved on. This was also a time when ALL major manufacturers produced amplifiers etc that had specs like 0.003% THD not 0.5% like this 10K$ amp. I think most younger generations do not realize that back in those days great machines were the standard not the exception. My 38 year old Yamaha A-720 still works well and has not even been re-capped as yet. That's my 2 cents worth.
Their commercials on Canadian TV in the late 1970s pronounced this brand name so that it sounded identical to, ‘techniques’. My dad picked up an all-Technics system of SA-5270 receiver, SL1900 turntable and Technics two-way speakers back in 1978. A friend of mine and I torture tested it with a copy of Grand Illusion by Styx. My dad still has all the above mentioned components to this day.
I have one in black and I love it.
I use it together with CD/SACD SL-G700, SL-1200GR and a Wiim Pro plus.
The speaker I use is Ohm 2000 tall.
It is the best hifi investment I have ever done.
I love my Technics SU-G700. Put it on my list of amps that I was auditioning based on your review and it won out over amps from Marantz, Simaudio, and Naim. It is powering a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 300 and sounds awesome. Would love to hear the R1000 but its pretty far out of my price range and I would need much better speakers to pair as it wouldnt be fair to the amp to just have it powering my Silver 300s, as it cost 4-5x more than them.
I want to hear that MK2 of the G700 ---- it looks like they made a lot of incredible improvements.
Technics should come with a reference phono preamplifier with this calibration technology.
10K?? Well, I'd need to be promoted at work 3 times in a row to even start considering it... Waaaay beyond my means, Thanks for the video though. Nice as usual.
Lol! At least three times...within a 90 day period!
I tried to audition / buy the SU-G700 before... Could not find a local Canadian company that I could go listen to it or had a return policy. Only place I could find was an US dealer, that wanted more than msrp and their policy was you buy it = its yours....
Hopefully they get into the market. I think the tech and the design are interesting...
They've always made some high value products. I had a all in one system I purchased in the mid 90's that was great for the money. The towers had dual 10 inch woofers. For the money the sound was really good. My sister had the next one up I guess. Each tower had a 12 & 10 inch woofer I think. But they have always made excellent products.
Technics from what I've seen haven't received the best, or expected reviews. Nice amp. I still prefer the UI of the Yamaha AS 3000. hope technics brings back the knobs in the next version. Does Technics acutally want to compete with Levinson or Krell to begin with ? They never competed in that market in the 80's either.
i grew up with Technics and was surpised to find out that Pioneer was receiving better reviews back in the day. But I still love Technics !
I have a great fondness for Technics. I was sold on your SU-G700 review. Sadly I could not find a dealer that had it to sell. After some time I auditioned the Yamaha-AS-2100 with the CD2100 too and bought them instead. I hesitated to watch this video knowing the outcome.
Guess the garage needs a few less toys(sale). So this may adorn the listening room.
I'd take the AS-3200 over any other mentioned it's absolutely gorgeous!
Dream system stuff. Great review, really enjoyed this one.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in!
Andrew. Engaging review. Good to see you review. You have my subscription!
After having read some 500 of the almost 900 comments posted to this review it is easy to say the topic is really engaging. To summarize and maybe with some exaggeration, the most negative comments stems from Technics being a mid fi company in the past (so what do Technics know about music really) and that a Digital, although GaN-FET (whatever) construction, can never motivate the hefty price tag. Now, ancient solid states, class A/AB and tube constructions, those are cost intensive constructions (and therefor easy can cost up to 100k USD or beyond). Also, that its originating from Japan, should keep the price tag down. Only American and European HIFI-gear is allowed to break the 10k USD boundary, one can read into some of the comments. It is also a shame it is nowhere to be audited. It is like Technics want to keep it exclusive to just a few. Or Panasonic (one of the largest corporates on earth) does not know anything about distribution.
Well. I bought one the other week. To choose one in solid black was an easy choice. My Martin Logan Expression´s 11 are black. My Mutec atomic clock is black, so is my Torus Power conditioner. Also my Shunyata cables are black. Heck, even the window frames in my apartment are black. As said easy choice.
As I do a lot of Tidal, FLAC, and high end digital, as well as in recent time, is increasing my vinyl collection as I got my first turntable (The Technics SL 1210 GR), I really wanted to update my 20 years old McIntosh combination to something of a child of this time. In the City in Sweden I live in there are at least 3 dealers that have Technics full product range for auditing. The one closest to where I live (ca 1 km) also have a few other respectful names in the range: Alsyvox, Apurna, Bryston, Burmester, Cabasse, Dan D Agostino, Dartzeel, Devialet, MBL, Melody Everest, Nagra, VTL, T+A, Audio Research, Martin Logan, Magnepan, Wilson, Vivid, Focal and Avantgarde. He is also a big McInosh dealer. To say he offers the reference and the market is an understatement.
To spare us all a lot of words. I will conclude in short.
With the Martin Logan 11´s (mine as well as yours's Electronic´s performance will always be a result of an equation including your speakers and your cables), there was nothing, and I really want to underpin, nothing that I could have bought in that store in this price range, that could present my digital music collection, in the absolute marvelous way the R1000 does. When it comes to the vinyl side, with Technics cartridge calibration, there is currently basically no contenders at all in this price range. Me and (the dealer) could not find any other combination that would reach the same heights. So if you are a vinyl lover, let me tell you, the future has arrived. And yes, David Bowies black star on Vinyl is outperforming the Tidal version, in a head to head comparison on this system. I never cared about construction. I always just wanted the best. If an electronic sport car is the fastest way to get around a race track, that the one I am going to opt for. I rest assure that sound wise the R1000 is among the best in its price range, as I have access to the references. One last thing. It is built like a Swizz high end watch. I know because I own a few of them. The Technics SU-R1000 is flawless. It is a beautiful piece of electronic jewelry and I am surprised it does not cost twice the price - it should. But I guess that’s down on the Technics brand. Lucky us!
Indeed, it is a fabulous amp! I’m glad you’re enjoying yours! Thank you so much for watching.
Hi folks, so I have a question about placing speakers close to walls. I know I should be looking for something with a front port. I've been considering the Linn Majik 109 because they seem to be know for being good near wall performers. For near wall performance, is the front port the only important feature or should I be looking for something that is "voiced" for near wall performance? Thanks people!
This R1000 from everything you describe sounds exactly like a Yamaha A-S, which I own and yes can lack Bass but the clarity is beyond exceptional and with that said, you basically get what got recorded, bad recordings do not sound Good, and Good recordings sound Great with much Bass. Bottom line nothing is candy coated with the Sound.
Good review guys! I was a big fan of Technics back in the 70's and 80's, but now it seems like they're trying to catch up with lost time, after they disappeared off the face of the Earth. They came back and went straight to the high end audio market. I hope they didn't "shoot themselves in the foot" already; maybe they should make some more affordable items, etc...
they are owned by Panasonic, which means they can do pretty much whatever they want and they never have to worry about anything.
First of all, THANK YOU for this review. I've been waiting for this review, since there are no store at all in my country that sells this particular unit. Again, thank you! :-)
Is there a $399 version?
Yes, same unit without the VU meters. Can u live without them?
Great work you two. I really appreciate the honest, pragmatic audiophile approach to your reviews. It is really refreshing!
Great review! Love my Sunday mornings.
Technics SU-G700 is on my dream list.
Did you get a chance to google or research Hegel amplifiers ?
I am looking at Hegel options but have not made up my mind on when to review them. Thanks for joining us this morning!
yeah that's a good lookin' piece of gear
I love Technics products, thank you!
They are great! Thanks for watching!
If anyone does not think of Technics when it comes to amps, they never heard of the SE-A1 or the SU-A2 (still to this day, the SU-A2 is considered one of the if not still THE best analog pre-amp ever made), or have never heard of their AFP line of speakers.
You are correct, Technics has some true high end models back in the 70's, the amp you mention and speakers like the SB-10000
Your reviews always have a high standard.Your reviews are a sort of a reference level.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate that.
It is certainly a beautiful piece of hi fi art. I just wonder how it would stack up against one of the McIntosh or Krell behemoths. I remember Technics direct drive turntables in the 1970s which usually fell short sonically against the Linn Sondek LP12 or the Pink Triangle and Oracle turntables. But thank you for reigniting my interest in a brand which I was once very fond of (I had the Technics SU V7 in the 80s) and thought had gone forever.
I love all your videos 🙂
Finally received mine last week. Sounds great
I hope this amplifier made you change your mind about playing records! 😉
Using a MC cartridge would make it sound even more impressive.
We play records all the time but this definitely made them sound even better!
Technics amp is priced way out of my league, but I enjoyed this review and marvel that these kind of products are out there in the marketplace. Unless I win a big lottery, I will have to stick to the 20 year old Technics AV receiver that I have now. Great job again from you and Kristi.
I'm willing to bet some of your future lottery winnings your vintage Technics receiver sounds great.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I like it. And I appreciate you making me feel better about having it.
Hi Andrew and Kathy
Thank you again for a nice review of the Technics.
I am a dealer of Technics in the Netherlands. The reason they are difficult to find is because they have production problems. So it makes no sense to have more dealers they cannot cope with exciting sales. The leed time for a order of sl1200 g or gr is in the Netherlands about 8 weeks. Sl- G700 almost 3 month's.
So you understand maybe why they are careful to look for new dealers....
Appreciate the reply. And I understand the supply chain issues that everyone has been facing globally this past year or so, but prior to COVID they had similar if not the same issues. Also, I think you're lucky as it is clear Technics prioritizes Europe and Asia over the US, which I get, but for us in the States it sucks! Perhaps Technics doesn't need more dealers, they need more hands on deck to build this stuff.
Hi Audio Tempel - Kristi (or Kathy 😊 here)...we are not trying to say that production problems aren't a real problem industry wide but even before the health crisis, awareness/access was an issue.
@@KristiWright 🙄 sorry for my hussel up your name...
@@KristiWright however as long as I am a dealer of Technics, 2018, they have delivery problems. So it is not only a covid problem.
@@audiotempel5929 That is no bueno.
Great review absolutely stunning amplifier, if I ever win the lottery that's the amp I'm getting.
Technics - the brand of my childhood.
What do you recall most about them?
@@KristiWright Um, back then, the Japanese ruled the scene, Technics, Sansui, Akai, Pioneer, Luxman ... These brands have mostly disappeared from the scene, with the exception of Luxman, who climbed a step or two higher. But anyway, all of these names fill me with nostalgia. And my first amp was Technics, with big VU meters - of course ... 😉
@@user-ys4og2vv8k Thanks for sharing! Hopefully, we'll see a renaissance soon!
Matsushita/National/Panasonic/Technics since the beginning 60's has akways brought innovative ideas, quality products, sophisticated marketing and above all value to every price range echelon. This allows everyone, no matter their economic range to enjoy great music performances. I've sold, purchased and traded their products since i can recall and have had nothing but real admiration, for this traditional Japanese electric "appliance" company. They're simply always true to form, giving to customers truth in engineering and execution. Yes, Nakamichi, Pioneer, Sansui, Yamaha were/are worthy competitors but Technics (for me) will always be the first.
I have to say you guys have incredible interior design
Thank you!
I just read Audio Tempel's explanation of supply chain problems coupled with the seemingly lack of customer support.
It ALMOST seems as if they should break off from Panasonic/ Matsushita and form more of a small, cozy, customer-centric brand.
Panasonic back in the '80s-'90's used to have a professional division called "Ramsa". Maybe it would be smart to redirect that brand name and continue with their high end offerings under that moniker.
Look up the Ramsa WP 9440 power amplifier. Only 2 ui rack-mount space tall, but it was built like a tank!
THE single best analog setup is a digital amp with digital preamp and digital trickery to correct analog shortcomings . Really makes you think.
My real hero will be someone who lives in some poor, wretched country (like mine - Bosnia) but, nonetheless, can place video review of this kind like Andrew. Since it is impossible, I can enjoy watching this, knowing what makes a sweet spot for the people who live in Western countries. Technics R1000 will not find his way to our shelves ever, but will be in our hearts with resonant sweetness of pure joy.
Thank you so much for watching! I hope you get to hear it some day!
Never say never my friend :)
@@KristiWright Thank you, Kristi, for your kind reply. I hope I will find my way to the West, like Frodo Baggins, someday. Only that I will hear such a gear like this Technics, in some merry western city. At least just shortly. :)
@@technics-n-thuiast8346 Yes, you're right totally. For a pessimistic I'm pretty optimistic. We'll see what future brings. Thanks.
I want to echo your opinion that hifi brands, need to focus more on online sales. There are ways that you can combine both. Bike brands do so as well order online pick up at a local store. Or just buy online and have it dropped off at your door. I personally buy all my stuff online, mostly because I cannot get most stuff at regular and even high end store.
Lg Ust projector coming up?
Another great, wide and, at the same time, humble review. Thank you very much!
Much appreciated!
I always like needle gauges just a great throw back to better days
I don't know about "better days" but they're cool!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews by better days I'm referring to not a bunch of cheap flashing leds and plastic.
I’d love to see your Hegel H590 review
Would love to hear your thoughts on Mcintosh products in general and or spicific product reviews. I dont recall you ever mentioning them at all.
Hi Andrew, how does it fair against the SU-G700 sound-wise? ~Peace
Your graphic click baited me. "Technics is BACK"?
I was in HiFi retail when a leading brand of cheap Japanese "compact" hifi systems wanted to get into the Component market. We received a batch of Receivers and Amps with the Panasonic label on them. I think it was maybe a month or so when we were told to pack them back up and ship them back to then receive the same units but with a new brand name, "Technics". Panasonic had figured out that their brand name lacked any credibility in the Audio market.
It seems none of those actual companies exist any more. The brand names being bought and sold any number of times. Having little or nothing to do with what they were "back in the day".
It would help if you could actually GET their products. I've had a SL-1200GR turntable on backorder since December. I'm basically in love with the SL-G700 and I can't imagine ever needing a new disc spinner. But in general I think bringing out a line of products all at once, like Yamaha did with their integrateds, would be the best play. I mean the R1000 is out of my league price wise, but if there was a full range of products where the R1000 was the aspirational end point that would be a way to get people invested in the brand again.
Great review! I really hope I get to hear the vinyl playback from this one day.
They actually have a nice collection of products that would fall under the R1000 but again, there is the issue with access and availability but it might be time for an update of those items. I hope you get your turntable soon!! That's gotta be hard to wait so long.
@@KristiWright lol I will live. Thankfully my trusty old Music Hall USB-1 is still working well.... but I am looking forward to the upgrade.
Excellent video as always: I would like bring the perspective of a 30 year veteran of retail HI FI sales:
Do cables matter? Too many people obsess about the price of the cable and do not consider about where the cable is going to be used. In a Mid FI system, no one is going to spend more on the cables than what the system is worth. On the other hand, in the luxury group, someone with means to afford, the MBL Extreme, Wilson, Chronosonic, The Sonus Faber Aida, The Infinity IRS V's, or Focal Grand Utopia just to name a few, is not going to use a monoprice cable because it measures well and is cheap. If there is a rule of thumb, 5 to 20% is a reasonable amount to spend at the Mid Fi level. So if a customer comes to me to purchase speakers for music enjoyment and is not an audiophile and they are purchasing a $1500.00 pair of speakers, I would recommend spending $ 100 to $200.00 on speaker cables. If he doesn't want to, I sell him lamp cord and tell him to enjoy the music & have a nice day. I, also, mention if he gets the itch, to purchase the better cable at a later date with a full refund policy of 2 weeks. Then the customer can decide for themself if it is worth it.
As far as break in is concerned, I can't remember any of the equipment manufactures recommending 100's of hours of break in. If they do, it is 25 to 100 hours: If it matters, I don't know, but its free and it is the buyers choice to do it or not. The more important break in is the listener getting used to the new purchase. If someone owns a piece of electronics for 10 or 30 years, a new piece of equipment is a radical change & it takes time to accurately evaluate the change.
As far specs go, they only matter in the design phase as a guide to the end result. As soon as the product is unboxed, the room rules the final result. I hammer this point with every customer. If you purchase the equipment with the best specs and measurements, then put it in a room lined with glass, a tile floor with no rug, its going to sound terrible! Also, specs do not determine harmonic differences which is what I tell a customer to listen for. Its the harmonics that matter most and what makes a particular brand have its sonic signature.
Wrong video :)
@@KristiWright I know I just realized that: I thought I was replying to the 10 things I used to believe about audio: Its too bad that I was not paying attention because I made some valid points and I find that the U tube community does not hear any input from the people in the trenches who are trying to make a living in the audio business.
@@jamesbrower1104 Just copy and paste, friend. Your comments are valid and I'm afraid will be missed here on this video.
I have 4 Bose 901 speakers. Do you think the Yamaha 3200 or the Technics r1000 would push them and sound great?
yes!
If you don't mind buying a Yacht for bluegill fishing. The Bose 901 are respected classic speakers, But they just are not a good value anymore. Sure in the 1970's they were a tough competitor. But its been 54 years and tons of remarkable speakers have been made since. The technology for designing and building speakers has progressed so much since then. And they keep getting better year after year. Honestly, entry level speakers from nearly any respectable brand today will run circles around the the Bose 901. Some examples i have heard myself, JBL Studio530 for $300. Klipsch RP160M for $350. Kef Q350 for $350 will all easily blow the 901 away.. and they are entry level. If you are considering spending that kind of money on a amplifier, Ditch the 901 because they are not even close to being in the same league. You deserve some good speakers. Your speakers are just as important as the amplifier. get some modern speakers are are similar in price to the amps you are considering.
@@Johnman9000 interesting and thank you for your valuable reply. I’m going to see if I can get my 1980 Technic 45w receiver to work with it and see how it goes. Used to sound pretty good. I may buy a new amp like shown here some day when I get my finances a bit better. Love music and playing it on a great system.
Yes, the Yamaha A-S3200 pairs well with Bose 901's. She runs a tad hot at times in bi-wired mode but still retains plenty of headroom at higher volume levels. The phono and headphone amps are especially well implemented.
The 10K price tag makes accessibility to the public difficult. But, perhaps millionaires are their market.
I didn't realize Technics were still making audio equipment. I just moved a pair of 20 yr old SBT-200s out of my theater setup, I still want to hang on to them.
This phono stage calibration thing is the first innovation in vinyl in over 40 years (as far as I know). Sooner or later I want to listen to it, and maybe buy this ampli used at around 4000€ in few years from now... Or wait for a smaller sister with similar tech.
Therein lies the rub - trying to audition one of these babies in a showroom is next to impossible for most of us. BTW, Technics likes the Kimber Select line of cables for their complete system....ooops, I forgot that all cables "sound the same".
I had my share of Technics components back in the '70's and 80's, along with Pioneer. Then on to "HighEnd" brands.
Imagine an perfect world where you walk into a dealer who is waiting for you with a demo if the SU-R1000 vs Michi X5, Hegel 590, Pass INT250, ML 5802, Constellation Integrated, 1.0, McIntosh MA9000, etc. Just dreaming - what we DO have is Andrew Robinson doing the legwork for us...and for that I'm extremely grateful. 👍
@Andrew Robinson
*Interesting you mention Technics distribution systems...I've been around for many decades now and Panasonic (who owns the Technics brand) has always been a bit unusual with their distribution even as far back as the 1970s. They tended to stick with smaller independent retailers and were very selective too. Even when you were looking at less expensive products you would have to hunt and search out a retailer that carried those products often times Panasonic would select different competing retailers to carry specific products they offered, so you would never find the entire Panasonic or Technics line ups at one single retailer in the USA. This has continued from the 1970s until today.*
And look where it got them! Disappeared from the market for 30 years. If it doesn't work keep doing it over and over until it works LOL
Technics was such a fantastic audio brand 😃
I think the problem lies with the marketing division of Panasonic - the paenet company. They make what could arguably be considered to be the best Bluray player currently available, but not many know of it. They make some of the best TVs as well, but here in North America they are not widely known or easy to get. Much more availability in Europe, Oceania and Asia.
I guess the same is true with the Technics brand.
Panasonic makes some absolutely fantastic prodicts, but to me it seems like they prefer to let the product sell itself, rather than make an effort to inform the consumer that the product exists.
BTW, nice review.
@
Chutgow Dingo-Loon
BINGO! Very good observations about Panasonic distribution and marketing in the USA, it's been that way since way back in the 1970s when they were known as Matsushita/National company. They have always tended to select smaller independent retailers, and NEVER put their entire line ups in any one retailer, in fact usually you would have to go to as many as four or five retailers to find the entire line up of Panasonic branded products alone, not including Technics....crazy.
@@horseathalt7308 It's a shame that Panasonic does not have a good exposure in North America, becoz they really do make some excellent A/V products. They could really set the cat amongst the pigeons if they did - some of the best TYVs, digital cameras, video cameras, not forgetting audio and home appliances.
They have a large slice of market share in Australia and Asia for sure, but are virtually non-existent here in North America. Hopefully things will change - we wait with bated breath.......sure is crazy.
@@chutgowdingo-loon3212 It is weird, it's almost like they didn't want the market share they could have had all along, I think that Panasonic products while maybe not as stylish as say Sony were generally more reliable and durable in the long run and usually at a more reasonable price, it has ALWAYS been that way all the way back to the beginning of the 1970s in the USA.
Panasonic tvs are easy to get in Europe. Pretty much every av store stocks their high quality OLEDs. I can even find some technics products in mass market electronics stores. The GL and Reference series are more difficult to get. I couldn't tell you what their marketing strategy is but of they want to keep things low key then they're doing a great job 😁
I would rather happy to consider a fully analog integrated amp over a digital one. If you have a digital amp. over time when there are no firmware updates it doesn't produce good quality sound with compatible soundtracks. Still, there's a possibility to buy a high-quality DAC and use it with an analog amp for a long time without worrying to update. Also, DAC's are reasonably priced and easy to swap with new technology. What's your opinion?
Agreed. Which is why I have a high-end DAC with an mid-70's, top of the line Pioneer system. It sounds so good
The output for connecting two different set of speakers is like the A or B switch as in any other amp (ex YAMAHA AS2200)? If yes, what’s the point of it? Because I have an old RCA Stereo receiver that has those outputs (A or B speaker switch) and I only can use one set of speakers at a time. I can not hear A+B at the same time.
The point would be to power say a main set of speakers in one room and a second in another, or two pairs in the same room. Say you like Klipsch for one type of music and JBL for another. As a reviewer it's a nice feature as it allows me to A/B speakers at the touch of a button.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Thank you so much for your answer. Anyways, I still find it kind of unnecessary for the average consumer. I mean, I get your point if you are on the audiophile bussiness as a reviewer. Totally get that. But for the average consumer that knows not too much about audiophile systems and can’t afford to buy 2 sets of premium speakers in my point of view is kind of overkill. But anyways, now I know with certainty. Thanks! I hope you and Kristi have a great Sunday!
So in your opinion this is the best 10K integrated amp for 2021?
Hi Andrew, thanks for the great review. I have an SU-G700 and really like the sound of everything digital through it. MM phone is medial ready at best. You have lived with both components, in your opinion, how much better is the SU-R1000 than the SU-G700?
If you scroll through the comments, Andrew has answered this question. :)
Phenomenal design & tech... and the Black color is definitely breathtaking !
I really appreciate the honesty in your reviews!
Thank you.
Can this R1000 amp run a "split" mode like the Onkyo A-9000R where you can loop in a device between pre-out and main-in like the "active room EQ" some passive speakers come with?
This amp is going to be my last one, once you hear it on a AN-E speaker it gets 2.5x better. Good review, but itś actually a lot better than what is shown here.
Will it work with fyne/tannoy speakers
Damn, you're good. I was about to ask about the watch you were wearing but I figured I should check the gear links just in case, sure enough it's in there.
😅