Technics

Technics SP-10RS Reference Class Direct Drive Turntable

Technics SP-10RS Reference Class Direct Drive Turntable

$14,999.99

Quantity

Product Details

Technics SP-10RS Reference Class Direct Drive Turntable at Vinyl Sound Toronto, Canada

The Technics SP-10RS is a Reference Class direct drive turntable from Technics (Osaka, Japan), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. A direct evolution of the legendary SP-10 lineage that began in 1970 with the world's first direct drive turntable, the SP-10RS is built around a newly developed double coil twin rotor-type coreless direct drive motor, a 7.9 kg three-layer heavyweight platter, and a separate control unit with an advanced noise reduction circuit, together achieving wow and flutter of 0.015% or less, a figure considered to be at the measurement limit of current test equipment. Supplied as a turntable and separate control unit without plinth or tonearm, the SP-10RS is the foundation for a fully bespoke reference analogue playback system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Technics SP-10RS?
A: The Technics SP-10RS is a Reference Class direct drive turntable supplied as a turntable main unit and separate control unit, without plinth or tonearm. It features a newly developed double coil twin rotor coreless direct drive motor, a 7.9 kg three-layer heavyweight platter with tungsten outer weights, and an advanced noise reduction circuit in the separate control unit, achieving wow and flutter of 0.015% or less at the measurement limit.

Q: What is the difference between the Technics SP-10RS and the SP-10R?
A: The SP-10RS is the current Reference Class direct drive model in the SP-10 lineage, sharing the same coreless motor architecture, heavyweight platter construction, and separate control unit design as the SP-10R platform. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto for specific details on the differences between variants and to discuss which configuration best suits your plinth and tonearm setup.

Q: Does the Technics SP-10RS come with a tonearm or plinth?
A: No. The SP-10RS is supplied as a turntable main unit and control unit only, without a plinth or tonearm. This allows complete freedom in choosing plinth material, mass, and damping characteristics, and supports installation of one or more tonearms depending on the plinth design. Vinyl Sound Toronto can advise on tonearm and plinth options suited to your cartridge and listening preferences.

Q: Is the Technics SP-10RS compatible with my existing SP-10MK2 or SP-10MK3 setup?
A: Yes. The SP-10RS base plate dimensions and screw positions are designed for complete backward compatibility with the SP-10MK2 and SP-10MK3. Owners of earlier SP-10 systems can drop the new turntable unit into an existing plinth and tonearm configuration without modification. The control unit is also the same dimensions as the SP-10MK2 power unit for a direct replacement.

Q: What speeds does the Technics SP-10RS support?
A: The SP-10RS supports 33⅓, 45, and 78 rpm, covering LP, EP, and SP analogue records. Speed can be fine-adjusted within ±16% of each nominal speed from the control unit, with the OLED display showing rotational speed to two decimal places for precise verification.

Q: Why does the Technics SP-10RS use a separate control unit?
A: Physically separating the power supply and motor control electronics from the turntable main unit prevents switching noise and electromagnetic interference from the power circuits reaching the stylus and cartridge. The control unit's switching power supply uses a newly developed noise reduction circuit, and the communication link between the units is engineered to resist external noise, together achieving the world's highest-level signal-to-noise ratio for a direct drive turntable.

Q: Where can I buy the Technics SP-10RS in Toronto or Canada?
A: The Technics SP-10RS is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Contact us to discuss plinth and tonearm options, cartridge pairing, and to arrange a consultation on building a complete reference analogue system around the SP-10RS.

View More

Key Tech Specs

The SP-10RS pairs a double coil twin rotor coreless motor and 7.9 kg tungsten-weighted platter with a separate control unit, and fits existing SP-10MK2 and MK3 plinths without modification.

Image Gallery

In Depth

The SP-10 Legacy Perfected

The SP-10 Legacy Perfected

The SP-10 name has defined the standard for professional and audiophile direct drive turntables since 1970. Broadcast stations, mastering studios, and serious collectors around the world used the SP-10MK2 (1975) and SP-10MK3 (1981) as their reference standard for decades. The SP-10RS continues this lineage with a completely new coreless direct drive motor derived from and substantially improved over the motor developed for the SL-1200G in 2016. By offsetting the double-sided coil assembly 60 degrees between its two stator layers, Technics improved substrate rigidity, suppressed fine vibrations, and reduced self-inductance. The thrust bearings use a special engineering plastic selected for high rigidity and long-term reliability, and two high-specific-gravity stainless steel weights at the bottom of the chassis maintain a low centre of gravity.

Heavyweight Platter with Tungsten Outer Weights

Heavyweight Platter with Tungsten Outer Weights

The SP-10RS platter is a three-layer construction combining an aluminium die-cast body, a 10 mm thick brass weight laminated to the aluminium, and tungsten weights positioned on the outer periphery of the brass layer. Tungsten, chosen for its exceptionally high specific gravity, maximises the rotational inertial mass at the platter's outer edge where it has the greatest effect on speed stability. Total platter weight is approximately 7.9 kg with an inertial mass of approximately 1 ton·cm. Deadening rubber on the rear surface completes the three-layer construction, providing high rigidity combined with excellent vibration damping.

Separate Control Unit with Noise Reduction Circuit

Separate Control Unit with Noise Reduction Circuit

The control unit is physically separated from the turntable main unit to prevent the power supply from introducing noise into the analogue signal path. The switching power supply within the control unit incorporates a newly developed unwanted noise reduction circuit that provides voltage with minimal noise to the motor drive circuits. Communication between the main unit and control unit uses a highly reliable protocol engineered to resist the effects of external noise. The OLED display shows rotational speed to two decimal places, allowing both visual confirmation and fine adjustment of the exact playback speed across 33⅓, 45, and 78 rpm.

Technical Specifications

Drive MethodDirect Drive
MotorBrushless DC coreless direct drive; double coil twin rotor; 12-pole, 18-coil
Turntable Speeds33⅓, 45, 78 rpm
Speed Adjust Range±16%
Starting Torque0.39 N·m / 4.0 kg·cm (3.47 lb-in)
Wow and Flutter0.015% W.R.M.S. or less (measurement limit)
Platter ConstructionAluminium die-cast + brass weight + tungsten outer weights + deadening rubber (3-layer)
Platter Diameter323 mm (12-23/32")
Platter WeightApprox. 7.9 kg / 17.5 lbs (including mat)
Platter Inertial MassApprox. 1 ton·cm
Control Unit DisplayOLED; speed readout to two decimal places
Power SupplySeparate control unit with switching supply and noise reduction circuit; AC 110 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption10 W / approx. 0.05 W standby
CompatibilityBase plate dimensions and screw positions match SP-10MK2 and SP-10MK3
Plinth and TonearmNot included
Dimensions: Main Unit (W x H x D)365 x 109 x 365 mm / 14-3/8" x 4-5/16" x 14-3/8"
Dimensions: Control Unit (W x H x D)110 x 84 x 350 mm / 4-11/32" x 3-5/16" x 13-25/32"
Weight: Main UnitApprox. 18.2 kg / 40.2 lbs
Weight: Control UnitApprox. 2.1 kg / 4.7 lbs
Operating Temperature0°C to +40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Operating Humidity35% to 80% RH (no condensation)
Included AccessoriesTurntable mat, EP record adaptor, Screw set, Detachable handle, Hex wrench, AC lead, Owner's manual