TECHNICS SL-G700

Technics may be better known for its turntables, but the SL-G700 shows that it has more than just analogue strings to its bow.

The Technics SL-G700 doesn’t fit into any neat category, straddling generations of digital formats by playing discs – in CD and SACD form – as well as streaming music from across a network or via Bluetooth. AirPlay, Chromecast and even MQA are also on the menu.

The Technics SL-G700 is a hefty unit, weighing in at more than 12kg and, though it looks like a humble disc player, it feels every bit the premium-priced product. That substance is backed up with rigid, nicely damped casework and a standard of finish few rivals can better.

Around the back, there are balanced and single-ended analogue outputs. You will also see a USB, a pair of aerials for wi-fi, optical and coaxial digital connections and an ethernet socket.

Punch and rhythmic ability

Getting things up and running isn’t as slick as it could be. You will need to set up the SL-G700 on your network using the Google Home app first. Once this is done, switch to the dedicated Technics Audio Centre streaming app to control the streaming operations.

It’s a decent piece of software, albeit lacking the design flair of alternatives from Naim, Linn or even Bluesound, however it doesn’t control all the operations. If you want to use the disc-playing side of this machine, you have to use the remote control handset provided. If you switch sources often, swapping between the app and the physical handset feels cumbersome.