Technics

Technics is a brand owned by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., located in Japan. Technics was initially started as a brand for high-end audio equipment but in 2002 most of the home products were re-branded as Panasonic. As of now, only DJ equipment and electronic keyboards and pianos are sold under the Technics brand name. The turntables that Technics produced were the reason why the brand earned its popularity. They introduced the first DD (Direct Drive) turntable in 1969, called the SP-10. The SL-1100s were used by famous DJs when it was launched in 1971. The SL-1200 MK2, the upgrade of the SL-1200 was also a hit with many DJs when it was launched, as the machine introduced functions like pitch control. The 1200s have seen gradual upgrades to the M3D series and then the MK5 series in 2003. The digital pianos and keyboards under the Technics brand support USB connectivity and microphone input. Technics also manufactures digital educational products. The Technics Music Academy (TMA) uses Technics keyboards to teach music theory and composition. Vintage Technics equipment is now seen as collectibles. The RS-858 quadraphonic 8-track recorder from the mid '70s, the RS-1500/1700 series open-reel tape decks, along with SA-400/600/800/1000 receivers, SE-A1/A3 High Output Power Amplifiers of the late '70s, turntables like the SL-1600/1600MK2/1700/1700MK2/1800 and 1800MK2 are all notable collectibles.