“Well hello there. Hope all you fine folks have had a great Christmas and happy holiday. It is indeed a new year and my goodness me, we got a lot – and I mean a lot of great stuff to chat about in 2025. Which reminds me, ya know, for a channel named New Record Day, we dont spend a whole lot of time chatting about records… or for that matter – turntables…

And with a warm welcome back to new record day, Lets fix that…

Alright folks, before we get started, this review along with every review moving forward will now be transcribed and published on my website and also uploaded as a podcast as well. This way, if you would rather read the reviews or just listen to my rambling while commuting to work – well, you’re welcome… now you can.

So, in Todays audiophile adventure, we’re diving into the Technics SL-1300G. This turntable is a beautiful blend of old-school Technics charm and modern engineering. After spending the last few months with this deck, I’ve got five solid reasons why this table deserves your attention, so without wasting another second, let’s drop the needle and have some fun…

1. Direct Drive Precision

“Let’s start with what makes Technics legendary and you already know where this is going: That’s right, direct-drive! The SL-1300G’s coreless motor is dead silent and eliminates cogging entirely.

In other words: this beautiful deck delivers precision that every music lover or audiophile can depend on. Not to mention, the wow and flutter is rated at just zero point zero two five percent which means every note is locked in exactly where it’s supposed to be.

Whether it’s soft passages in classical music or heavy bass lines in hip-hop…, (no, not me. my wife listens to hip hop – I never said shes perfect) anyhow, this motor doesn’t flinch. It’s all about accuracy, and with the 1300g, Technics absolutely nails it.

1. Built to Last

Next, build quality. The SL-1300G is indeed, built like a tank. Its three-layer chassis combines aluminum, BMC, and rubber to absorb vibrations and kill unwanted resonance. The platter weighs a solid 2.5 kilograms and is dynamically balanced, so you’re not dealing with wobble or noise.

Even the isolation feet are engineered for performance. They use a spring-and-silicone design to keep vibrations from your furniture or environment out of the equation. And after throwing this thing around the sound shed for the last few months,  It’s clear to me that Technics designed this thing to last for decades.”

1. Power Supply and Noise Canceling Technologies

The Technics SL-1300G incorporates a high-speed switching power supply, which provides a stable current and minimizes ripple and humming. This is especially crucial for turntables, where mechanical vibrations and power fluctuations can negatively affect sound quality. The use of a switching power supply eliminates the need for a bulky transformer, and its high-frequency operation, above 100 kHz, prevents unwanted noise from interfering with the music playback. The current-inject active noise canceling further enhances the experience by identifying residual noise in the power supply and using inverse-phase current to eliminate it. This results in a cleaner, more accurate signal that can be heard as a more focused, detailed soundstage with reduced low-frequency noise.

1. Universal Appeal

“The SL-1300G’s tonearm is all about flexibility. It’s an S-shaped design with ultra-low-friction bearings, making it smooth and precise. The detachable headshell is a huge win for anyone who likes to swap cartridges. Whether you’re running a budget-friendly moving magnet like this great sounding ortofon bronze concord or a high-end moving coil, like this bad to the bone Goldring Ethos SE, this tonearm can handle it all.

And of course, after whatever cart you decide to rock with is installed, One of the standout features here is the ability to adjust VTA. Being able to dial in the correct VTA is key for getting the best performance out of your cartridge, and the SL-1300G makes it easy to do. Whether you’re using a thicker platter mat or a different cartridge, fine-tuning the VTA helps optimize tracking and sound quality.

You’ve also got finely calibrated tracking force adjustments down to 0.1 grams, so dialing in your setup is a breeze. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned audiophile, this tonearm meets you where you are.”

1. Timeless Design with Technics Heritage

“Finally, let’s talk design. The SL-1300G is a perfect example of why Technics has been around for so long. It’s got that classic brushed aluminum finish that resists fingerprints, tactile controls that feel just right, and a layout that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

This isn’t just a turntable—it’s a piece of art that’s going to look stunning in any setup. And when you’re spending this much on a table, it’s nice to know it’ll make a statement.”* 

Conclusion: How Does It Sound?

And now for the moment we all have been waiting for: How’s does it sound: Well, I used 2 carts with this table, the concord bronze from ortofon and the ethos SE from goldring. In both cases, the 1300G allowed me to clearly hear the differences between these cartridges and also allowed me to also focus my attention on what the phono preamp was doing. Which by the way, if you havent had the chance to check out the manley labs oasis, dont you worry for one second cause im putting that bad boy through its paces right now and that review will be out soon.

Anyhow – to me, The ortofon was a fun and engaging cartridge to listen to. It sounded very dynamic and exciting and really dished out the goods in lower midbass and bass. For listeners who want an exciting and dynamic presentation, this affordable cart would be the way to go. The cart sounds open, precise, clear, responsive, and fun with a focus on detail and clarity, delivering a dynamic and engaging listening experience. Thanks to its Nude Fine Line stylus and quality construction, this concord is a no brainer for audiophiles seeking high fidelity sound with easy installation on S-shaped tonearms, like the 1300G.  

As for the goldring,  Now this moving coil cart was more about detail retrieval and unpacking every little hidden gem in the grooves of the record. The Goldring Ethos SE is very detailed, clear, and nuanced sound with excellent stereo imaging. Also, I couldn’t help but notice its smooth and rich midrange, good low-end punch, and impressive high-frequency detail, making it suitable for discerning listeners who want a highly accurate reproduction of their vinyl records.

For folks who demand every subtle nuance in recording, this is the cart to get.

Either way, Both carts sounded great and both worked perfectly with this arm in combination with the manley labs oasis. As for my amp and speakers, I was using the incredibly versatile gallion ts120 running into prototype speakers that GR-Research and I are collaborating on. Yup, you heard that correctly – NRD speakers are coming…

“So yeah – if you are asking me flat out, Ron, just get to the dang point about this deck, here it is: How’s does the SL-1300G sound? In a word—effortless. This turntable brings a level of clarity and precision that lets every detail in the music shine. The noise floor is impressively low, so you’re left with nothing but the purest expression of your records.

Whether it’s the subtle nuances of a vocal track, the texture of an acoustic guitar, or the punch of a bassline, the SL-1300G delivers with authority. The timing is spot on, the dynamics are lively, and there’s a sense of weight and presence that feels right.

It doesn’t impose a character on the music—it just lets your cartridge and records do their thing. And for me, that’s what makes a turntable truly great.”

And there you have it: That’s my take on the Technics SL-1300G. It’s not just a turntable; it’s a statement piece that sounds every bit as good as it looks. If you’ve been searching for the perfect blend of precision, durability, and sound quality, this might just be the one…. Let me know what you think in the comments below… And with that, I’ll see you technics loving audiophiles, in the next video…