Technics SU-G700 Amplifier Review

Technics SU-G700, Recognizable classic look and rich detailed sound, together with non-standard and unusual technical solutions for brand fans – this is the concept of this amplifier. The Japanese company considered that the result is more important than the process, and at the audition, we were convinced of this ourselves.

Technics SU-G700

If you are nostalgic for those very Technics amplifiers with arrows, then the appearance of the new SU-G700 model, which carries a certain collective image of the line of yesteryear, I think you will like it. Strict rectangular lines of the case and a large plastic window with two VU indicators refer us to the 900th and 1000th series, and the large round volume knob in the center at the top reminds of branded integrated circuits.

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But the inner content, perhaps, will cause cognitive dissonance and pain (think where yourself) in orthodox audiophiles. Before us is an integrated amplifier with a class D pulse circuit and several stages of digital signal conversion. Judge for yourself – already at the very beginning, the analog signal is converted to digital 192 kHz / 24 bits using the built-in Burr-Brown PCM1804 ADC from Texas Instruments.

And this happens not only on a pair of analog RCA line inputs but also on the input of an MM phono stage – just imagine the feelings of vinyl adherents! So forget about the company’s former pride – the MOS class AA circuit (which, by the way, has nothing to do with the operating mode of the amplifier, but means an assembly of two amplifiers: on MOSFETs and bipolar transistors). Of course, special attention was paid here to class-like digital inputs: a pair of optical and coaxial, as well as USB-B for connecting to a computer.

Control 

This solution, which is not the most common for this price category (and it is also used in the SE-R1 reference series, which is not yet available in all countries), is dictated by the company’s new approach, which can be loosely expressed by the well-known expression “do you want to check or go?”.

In other words, Technics is committed to providing you with accurate, detailed, and musical sound with confident control over a wide variety of acoustics – and the methods they choose.

To begin with, to eliminate the almost inevitable jitter and accompanying noise during digital signal processing, the company used proprietary JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization) technology. In particular, a special battery-powered clock generator and a precision PWM module are involved here.

The main control is assigned to the LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration) technology, which corrects the phase characteristics in real-time, continuously matching them to the constantly changing and frequency-dependent speaker impedance. As a result, engineers were able to obtain a smooth, powerful signal over the entire frequency range.

The Japanese paid special attention to protection against parasitic noise and radiation. First of all, the amplifier case was divided into three almost equal parts, placing various circuits and a switching hybrid power supply in them. Also, internal baffles gave additional rigidity and vibration resistance to the already strong aluminum case on a double frame and with a steel bottom plate.

More noise-reducing circuitry and components have been added to the power system, computer input amplifier, clock power, and Phono input.

However, Technics did not completely forget about a variation on the theme of its own AA amplification circuit (and again not to be confused with the operating mode) – it is used in the headphone output. Here, a high PWM signal, converted to analog, is fed to a separate two-loop amplifier.

Performance

To better understand the capabilities of the amplifier and distinguish between its presentation and the nature of the acoustics, we prepared two pairs of equivalent speakers at once. Close to the top floor models ELAC FS 409 and Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G, at the time of testing, for the promotion cost. Both have similar sensitivity characteristics (89 and 90 dB), the same impedance of 4 ohms, and a similar speaker layout – a ribbon tweeter, a midrange radiator, and a pair of woofers.

To begin with, let’s test the analog connection and help us with this … Cambridge Audio Edge NQ digital network player, which has earned us a high rating precisely for its high-quality natural sound transformation. Moreover, it has only analog outputs, and now we will use the unbalanced Pre-Out.

To connect the player to the network, speakers, and amplifier, we did not use assorted cables, but used the medium-budget and at the same time quite high-quality Nordost Explorer kit, which just in this case, offers a ready-made solution out of the box.

First, let’s offer the audio system a baroque classic in the form of the JS Bach album that I often use. Oboenwerke. Alexey Utkin. Hermitage Chamber Orchestra. Speakers from ELAC immediately built a lively and very voluminous, almost three-dimensional picture. I compared these works on different setups, and here I noticed a very good balance and distinctness of all instruments at the same time, as an informatively built scene.

But still, I’ll find fault with it a little – the main character, that is, the oboe, seemed to me too light and not bodily enough. I changed the speakers to Monitor Audio, and the sound became a little softer and velvety, but most importantly, the oboe seemed to have found its wooden case and, along with it, warmth and naturalness.

But the general supply is practically preserved. All the same scene, the same volume and arrangement of instruments, along with excellent balance. Equally informative and voluminous, both pairs of speakers displayed other classical genres, whether it was Verdi’s large-scale “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco” from the Slovak Philarmonic Chorus and Radio Symphony Orchestra or the overture to “Le nozze di Figaro ossia la folle giornata” by Mozart from another Slovak orchestra Capella Istropolitana.

In both cases, the amplifier provides excellent reproduction of the nuances of the soundtrack over the entire wide orchestral range. The only difference is that ELAC plays German correctly and scrupulously, and Monitor Audio seems to soften this straightforwardness and seems a little more analog.

Let’s go back to the present. The composition “Uprising” by Muse is not only replete with deliberately overloaded and distorted sounds, but it is also recorded a little unclear. But the amplifier did not seem to notice this and, with both pairs of speakers, presented the song not just in volume, but downright holographic – with soaring vocals and distinct vibrating bottoms. Once again, the ELACs were brighter and more aggressive, while the Monitors were a bit softer and more comfortable.

This is where my hunting instinct woke up, and I started throwing compositions into the amplifier, with which some setups had problems. Massive “Radio” Rammstein with its overloaded bottoms, Technics as if dismantled into details and filed clearly and distinctly. What is strange – this time the song sounded harder and more aggressive in the interpretation of Monitor Audio.

In the instrumental composition “Satin Shores” by Valery Didula and Dmitry Malikov, the piano almost always seemed unnaturally glassy, ​​but now it has acquired the long-awaited naturalness. A somewhat smeared Def Leppard song, “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop),” was unexpectedly bright and distinct this time.

On the contrary, I chose the electronic piece “The Race” by Yello for its good quality and abundance of stereo effects. And now both pairs of speakers seem to have turned it into a surround sound show. I also managed to hear a few previously unnoticed nuances and stereo effects on the remastered CD “Blood Type” by Maschina Records.

First-person

If we were listening to digital recordings with deliciously prepared analog conversion from Cambridge Audio Edge NQ, which the amplifier then re-digitized, let’s compare this feed with our own processing from the Technics SU-G700 itself. The source here will be a native CD/network player Technics Super Audio CD SL-G700, connected via a coaxial interface.

I sort through the same musical material – and everywhere a similar volumetric balanced presentation is preserved, but the sound has become a little lighter, colder and more transparent. Whether it’s a plus or a minus is a matter of personal taste. But when choosing an amplifier, you need to keep two things in mind: it is able to reliably reveal the features of an analog source, and, at the same time, it has its own character when processing an external digital signal.

In general, I got the impression that the Technics SU-G700 is able to handle any soundtrack and pull everything out of the recording, regardless of genre. And every time it will be a high-quality, voluminous and effective presentation. By the way, during the entire listening, the volume level was about 30-40% of the maximum.

Think a lot of flattering words? Well, here’s the cherry on the cake for you – yes, the sound of the amplifier is emphatically correct, but to such an extent that you already want some individual nuances. This apparatus reminds me of the Asian virtuosos who flooded the prestigious classical music competitions.

Although they have an impeccably correct technique, honed by countless persistent repetitions, they resemble ideal and therefore similar musical robots. So the Technics SU-G700 seems to offer a mathematical model of the perfect sound in his understanding, when sometimes you want something from the heart.

Conclusion

This amplifier will appeal to very demanding music lovers who need equally confident and accurate presentation of a wide variety of musical genres. And if you dream up – it is also perfect for music lessons, small clubs, and music lectures. Without a doubt, he will reveal and show all the features of the classics, folk art, modern rhythms, and so on down the list.

But tremulous fans of certain musical trends, as well as staunch audiophiles, may need something more lively and individual. Although most likely, you will have to look in a higher price category.

Price and availability:

Brand-new/unopened from authorized dealers (U.S.): approximately US $2,500

New in the UK (SU‑G700M2): around £1,999–£2,000 (about US $2,500–$2,600)

High-end U.S. audio store listing: US$2,699 for new SU‑G700M2.

U.K. bundle version (amp + SACD player): £4,589 (£3,900–4,000)

Pros and Cons Technics SU-G700 amplifier

Pros

Confidently work with almost any musical material on different acoustics. Clear, legible presentation of difficult-to-play recordings. Emphasized surround sound. Attractive classic design.

Cons

Own digital processing could be warmer and more natural.

Technics SU-G70 Specifications:

Output Power: 2 x 70W (1kHz, 0.5% NCL, 8Ω, 20kHz LPF); 2 x 140W (1kHz, 0.5% NCL, 4Ω, 20kHz LPF)

Inputs: Phono MM, 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial, USB-B (PC), 2 x analog line

Outputs: analog linear and Pre-Out; headphones 6.3 mm, 0.75 mW, 32 ohm

Supported formats: PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, DSD 11.2MHz

Power Consumption: 85W

Frequency response: Line input 5 Hz – 80 kHz (-3 dB, 8 ohms), Phono input 20 Hz – 20 kHz (RIAA deviation ±1 dB, 8 ohms), Digital input 5 Hz – 90 kHz (-3 dB, 8 ohms)

Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 148 x 428 mm

Weight: 12.3 kg