Technics SL-G700M2

A digital source that looks forward but also caters for the past

We reviewed the original generation of the Technics SL-G700 back in 2019. At the time it seemed like a canny choice of source product that managed to straddle generations of digital music with CD and streaming, aimed at those who want to upgrade a traditional premium system but still have an eye for the future.

The passing years haven’t changed our view of Technics’ proposition one bit; the mildly fettled SL-G700M2 version admirably fulfils that same brief in 2023.

Beautifully made

It will take more than a casual glance to uncover the differences between the two generations of this product. The casework is identical – not that we are complaining. The Technics SL-G700M2 remains a solid and beautifully made box, displaying a level of fit and finish that is among the best we have seen at this level. The front panel controls work with precision, as does the large multi-control dial that comes into use across many aspects of set-up and playback. Special mention has to go to the disc-loading drawer that glides in a beautifully damped way.

Take a careful look inside and you might spot the change of DAC chip from an AKM AK4497 to an ESS ES9026PRO. Unlike most other companies, Technics isn’t spinning this into some kind of performance upgrade story, but with refreshing honesty has explained that this change is down to issues with the supply of the original AKM chip. This change of DAC chip has forced a redesign of the digital board, and the company has used that as an excuse to improve performance.