Behind its understated lines of a conventional CD player, the Technics SL G700 M2 hides its true capabilities. In addition to playing compact discs, of course, it is a true universal access system for high-resolution audio sources, whether from physical media or digital files.
When it comes to physical media, Technics has equipped its latest model with a particularly open turntable. In addition to conventional CDs, it is compatible with MQA-encoded CDs. Similarly, when it comes to optical media, the SL G700 M2’s turntable is compatible with SACDs, whether they are single-channel or hybrid, meaning they contain both an SACD layer and a CD layer on the same disc.
Halfway between physical and digital storage are, of course, the indispensable USB sticks and other portable hard drives. The SL G700 M2 has USB ports for accessing their content. A conventional USB-A port is therefore dedicated to these storage devices. However, Technics wanted to further extend the scope of its latest addition by also equipping it with a USB-B port. This is dedicated to connecting a computer, among other things, so that the SL G700 M2 can use the music files stored on its hard drive, for example.
The SL G700 M2 is also very well equipped when it comes to digital sources. In order to access the home network and, through it, the Internet, this player has a high-speed Wi-Fi connection. It should be noted that an Ethernet port on an RJ-45 socket provides a backup for a wired connection. For our part, we always favour a wired connection whenever possible.
In addition to eliminating the inevitable selection of access points and exchange of passwords required to initialise a Wi-Fi connection, it often guarantees a more consistent bit rate.
Once connected, the SL G700 M2 offers all the traditional functions of a network player. In addition to traditional internet radio stations, it provides direct access to streaming music services such as Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, Qobuz, etc. Finally, the SL G700 M2 integrates Chromecast and works with Google Assistant.
To offer such versatility, the heart of the SL G700 M2 is based on ESS ES9026PRO converters in a dual monaural configuration. Each channel has its own converter, which significantly limits the risk of interaction between the two channels.
It should be noted that PCM streams, up to 192 kHz, undergo pre-processing to match the phase alignment and ideal impulse response upstream of their digital-to-analogue conversion. This processing enhances the purity of the sound and produces a clearer sound image. DSD streams, on the other hand, are applied directly to the DAC. This player, which supports MQA and most hi-res audio formats such as WAV/AIFF up to 32-bit/384 kHz, FLAC/ALAC up to 24-bit/384 kHz and DSD streams up to 11.2 MHz, can even play MQA-encoded CDs.
However, once the digital-to-analogue conversion has been completed, the purity of the analogue signal must still be preserved until its final playback in order to fully benefit from the quality of the converters. To achieve this, Technics has paid particular attention to the quality of the SL G700 M2’s amplification stages. Instead of using conventional operational amplifiers, they are based on an architecture designed around discrete components, selected and wired with the utmost care. This choice guarantees high responsiveness in these analogue stages as well as an excellent signal-to-noise ratio.
However, the quality of the player’s power supply also has a major impact on this parameter. A power supply that plunges the electronic circuits into an ‘electromagnetic fog’ causes a significant deterioration in listening purity. To preserve the finesse of the sound reproduction, the SL G700 M2 is equipped with a silent multi-level power supply that uses innovative technologies. The SL G700 M2’s power supply unit ensures complete suppression of power supply noise in three stages.
Firstly, this power supply operates at a high frequency of 300 kHz, which places any residual noise well beyond the audible frequencies. To ensure perfect stability, very low-noise regulators specifically designed for the SL G700 M2 are used. Finally, Technics employs active noise suppression through ‘current injection’. This new technology eliminates unwanted noise components by applying a current in the opposite direction to the detected noise.
USING THE TECHNICS SL G700 M2
This beautiful object is not very tall, but it has a wide and deep footprint. And it is quite heavy. The SL G700 M2 will therefore benefit from a good, stable and rigid support. It will also perform much better if you take care of the power cord. Finally, don’t hesitate to plug the USB-A ports at the front and rear using two Audioquest Jitterbugs or iFi iSilencers+. For a modest budget, this makes a big difference.
THE SOUND OF THE TECHNICS SL G700 M2
We were big fans of the first generation of the SL G700. Finally, a complete digital player that handles the network and all optical audio discs. The new version has the same impeccable pedigree. CD and SACD playback is particularly successful. We tend to forget it, but our precious collections of physical digital audio media contain musical treasures.
On some of our old SACD titles in particular, we were amazed by the quality of the reproduction, which was both refined and subtle, with beautiful dynamics and a wide bandwidth. What a pleasure it is to feel such a strong bass foundation. It really pushes forward. It’s very enjoyable. We then moved on to network playback, with the same pleasure.
Overall, the SL G700 M2 is a successful digital source, but one that places more emphasis on the chiselled and precise side of sound reproduction compared to the first generation, which favoured a more embodied and mellow tonal balance. We would therefore be tempted to say that the transition from one generation to the next is more evident in the evolution of the device’s sound personality than in its intrinsic performance.
Of course, the balance of the SL G700 M2 favours the perception of detail, transparency is superior, and the speed on small signals is a step up. This is a machine that provides a feeling of accuracy and finesse in all areas of play. Not only is the resolution excellent, but the precision of the soundstage is remarkable.
OUR CONCLUSION
We reiterate our confidence in and interest in this device, which, in its second iteration, still offers an unbeatable package of features, build quality, and sound and musical satisfaction. This device is remarkably designed and built. It is worthy of more expensive devices, and the attention to detail has been taken to the extreme. For the eclectic music lover who does not want to limit their scope and who wants to enjoy all digital files, whether on physical media or dematerialised, this is the ideal machine, offered at a price that remains extremely reasonable given its qualities.
Author: Estève Fabry
TECHNICAL SHEET: TECHNICS SL G700 M2
- Origin: Japan
- Price: €2,999
- Dimensions: 430 x 88 x 407 mm
- Weight: 12.3 kg
- Optical media played: 2-channel single/hybrid SACD, CD, MQA CD
- Frequency response: 2 Hz to 50 kHz (SACD), 2 Hz to 20 kHz (CD)
- Harmonic distortion: 0.0006% (SACD), 0.0015% (CD)
- Headphone output: 110 mV/32 ohms
- Analogue outputs: 1 x unbalanced RCA, 1 x balanced XLR
- Digital outputs
- 1 x optical, 1 x coaxial
- USB-A and USB-B ports. / Ethernet port on RJ45
- Wireless connections: Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz/5 GHz, Bluetooth AAC, SBC
- Dynamic range: 110 dB (SACD), 98 dB (CD)
