Technics SU-G700M2 Integrated Amplifier

Description

IN STOCK!

MY TAKE: Technics has improved what was already a great amp with the M2 upgrades. The GANFET transistors and power supply technology from the flagship SU-R1000 integrated as well as the addition of an MC input to compliment the MM phono section are significant.
Best of class at the price point. Quite a bargain! - Galen Carol

Technics SU-G700 Reference-class High-quality Audio Technology

Inheriting the reference-class audio technology concept, the JENO Engine transmits and processes audio signals in full digital and with minimal jitter from the input stage to the power stage. Speaker load adaptive phase calibration (LAPC) ensures ideal gain and phase characteristics for any type of speaker. The newly developed low-distortion switching power supply realizes accurate power supply by suppressing switching frequency fluctuations caused by load shifting.

JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization)

In order to faithfully transmit the massive amount of audio data sent to the speakers without loss, the SU-G700 power amp section uses full digital amplification employing the JENO Engine, based on the design concept of reference systems. In order to solve the issue of sound quality degradation due to jitter, which poses problems for conventional digital amplifiers, the SU-G700 has an original jitter reduction circuit that eliminates jitter over the entire audible frequency range. Also, a unique, high-precision PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) conversion circuit is used for PWM conversion, which is important for sound quality. By optimizing items such as the noise-shaping speed, degree, and quantization number through our unique expertise, data even in the wide dynamic range contained in high-resolution sound sources is converted to PWM signals without loss. These technologies provide reproduction of natural and finely detailed sound, enabling perception even of delicate music nuances.

LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration)

Speaker impedance changes with each frequency and a power amplifier is required to drive speakers without being affected by the speaker’s characteristics. However, conventional digital amplifiers are connected to speakers through a low-pass filter at the output stage, so they are even more strongly affected by the speaker impedance characteristics. Also, although the amplitude characteristics of conventional amplifiers due to negative feedback were improved, the phase characteristics could not be enhanced. We thus developed a speaker impedance adaptive optimization algorithm that performs correction to the ideal impulse response through digital signal processing by measuring the frequency amplitude-phase characteristics of the amplifier with the speakers connected. This new technique enables flattening the frequency characteristics of amplitude and phase, which had previously not been achieved by amplifiers, as well as delivering a sound with rich spatial expression.

[Gain and Delay by Conventional Amplifier / LAPC]

High-speed Silent Hybrid Power Supply

With a conventional switch mode power supply, the switching frequency changes in response to the load fluctuation in order to control the switching ON time for stabilizing the output voltage. This fluctuation component in the switching frequency has a negative impact on sound quality. The newly developed power supply reduces the noise component harmful to sound quality by fixing the switching frequency. In addition, the latter stage in the switching power supply is provided with a linear regulator to stabilize the output voltage. The linear regulator uses custom, high-definition electrolytic capacitors.

What's more, our current resonance-type power supply decreases the level of switching noise. The parts used for absorbing noise, such as capacitors, were carefully selected. All possible measures were taken to achieve low noise and reproduce clear sound.

Digital Noise Isolation Architecture

For the PC input terminals, the amplifier uses power conditioners with non-magnetic carbon film resistors that provide strong protection against magnetic distortion, and high-quality ruby mica capacitors featuring excellent characteristics such as low dielectric loss, high voltage resistance, and temperature stability. Sound reproduction with greater purity was pursued by blocking the incursion of outside noise.

Three-section Configuration

In integrated amplifiers there are a variety of circuits, including circuits that handle the micro-signals of inputs and those that handle a large current, such as output circuits and power-supply circuits. The SU-G700 uses a three-section construction with partitions installed between the circuit blocks according to the signal level handled. This eliminates interference between circuit blocks, thus achieving clear sound quality. Also, the chassis rigidity due to this construction suppresses the vibration of electrical parts, thereby suppressing deterioration in sound quality.

Optimally Activated Circuit System

The Optimally Activated Circuit System allows the operation of various digital modules to be stopped – such as those used for display, analogue and digital interfaces – to minimize the noise generated when music is playing.

Battery Driven Clock Generator

The best power supply for delicate circuitry such as the clock generator in new amplifiers is one entirely isolated from any noise or fluctuations in the mains supply. Technics has extensive experience in power supply isolation using batteries. This technology creates ultra-low-noise pre-amplifier stages.

High-quality Analog Circuit

Analogue input is converted with high precision to a digital signal by the high quality 192-kHz/24-bit A/D converter [Burr-Brown PCM1804 (Texas Instruments)], so the high-purity sound reproduction capability of the full-digital system can be maximized in playing back analogue sources. High-definition switching relays are used for signal switching.

Low-noise PHONO Input

The PHONO input achieves low noise by using a differential parallel connection configuration of a first-stage, low-noise FET. In addition, four-level gain adjustment enables selection of the best gain according to the cartridge output. This enables optimal playback of high-grade analogue recorded sound sources tailored to the user's environment.

Class AA Headphone Amplifier

The SU-G700 uses a Class AA headphone amplifier with separate amplifier circuits for voltage amplification and current amplification of the audio signal. The voltage is amplified by a high-grade operational amplifier, the current is amplified by an operational amplifier with high current-supply capability, and the high-grade PWM signal output from the JENO Engine is converted to analogue with high precision, thus enabling headphones to be ideally driven. This makes it possible to reproduce music with low distortion and a wide frequency range no matter what the load impedance of the headphones is.

AVoltage amplification is performed without any load current so the input signal is faithfully amplified.

The necessary current is supplied to the load according to the output voltage of the voltage amplifier.

High-rigidity Aluminium Cabinet

The High-rigidity Metal Double Chassis features a steel-plate inner chassis and a steel-plate outer chassis to reduce vibration and noise that degrade the purity of sound.

To support heavy parts and components and lower the center of gravity for improved stability, the inner chassis is made of a 1.2-mm-thick plate. The bottom surface of the cabinet is a 2-mm-thick steel plate. This improves the vibration damping performance and achieves a low center of gravity. The front panel is made of a 7-mm thick aluminium plate to resist the effects of electromagnetic noise.

Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-G700 Features -

• Accurate Digital Technology
• JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization)
• LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration)
• High-speed Silent Hybrid Power Supply
• Battery Driven Clock Generator
• High-rigidity Metal Double Chassis
• Noiseless Signal Technology
• Digital Noise Isolation Architecture
• Optimally Activated Circuit System
• Technics Definitive Design
• High-rigidity Cabinet
• Three-section Configuration

Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-G700 Features -

FTC Output Power

70 W + 70 W (1 kHz, T.H.D. 0.5 %, 8 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)
140 W + 140 W (1 kHz, T.H.D. 0.5 %, 4 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)

Input Sensitivity / Input Impedance

LINE 200 mV / 22 kΩ, PHONO (MM) 2.5 mV / 47 kΩ

Frequency Response

LINE 5 Hz - 80 kHz (-3 dB, 8 Ω),
PHONO (MM) 20 Hz - 20 kHz (RIAA DEVIATION ±1 dB, 8 Ω),
DIGITAL 5 Hz - 90 kHz (-3 dB, 8 Ω)

Load Impedance

4 - 16 Ω

Analogue Input Terminal

LINE x 2 (LINE1 IN, LINE2 IN / MAIN IN) , PHONO (MM) x 1

Digital Input Terminal

Coaxial Digital x 2, Optical Digital x 2, USB-B (PC)

Analogue Output Terminal

PRE OUT x 1, LINE OUT x 1 (ANALOGUE SOURCE ONLY)

Headphone Output

Yes

USB-DAC (USB-B)

USB Audio Class 2.0, Asynchronous Mode

Support Codec

DSDYes (2.8224 MHz, 5.6448 MHz, 11.2896 MHz)

PCMYes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24, 32 bit)

Power Supply

AC120 V, 60 Hz

Power Consumption

85 W

Dimensions (W x H x D)

430 x 148 x 428 mm
(16 15/16 x 5 13/16 x 16 27/32 in.)

Weight

Approx. 12.3 kg
(Approx. 27.2 lbs)

Accessories

Remote Control, AC Cord, Owner's Manual

REVIEWS:

Home Theater Review: “I'm not going to beat around the bush here: The Technics SU-G700 stereo integrated amplifier is the kind of product I get a little weak in the knees over. It has both style and substance, coupled with a retail price that is on the saner side of the audiophile spectrum. While there are other integrated amplifiers on the market that may have a few more inputs, output, or features, the SU-G700 gets the balance just right for the price. It's nice, in 2019, to come across a product that is decidedly modern in its approach to sound reproduction, and yet feels altogether familiar--dare I say comfortable in its everyday use.

“The SU-G700's sound is akin to only one other amplifier I've had the good fortune to review: the aforementioned Mark Levinson No. 53. The No 53 was an obscene amplifier, both in terms of performance as well as price, but there was an ease about it that no amplifier has ever been able to replicate, until now. While the No 53 could (likely) power the Sun, within its limits, the SU-G700 has more in common with the No 53's sound than any other amp I can recall.

“An amplifier is not supposed to have a sound of its own, it shouldn't have a signature. In fact, you shouldn't be aware of its presence at all. From that perspective, the SU-G700 excels. Its whizzbang tech under the hood is no joke, and the resulting performance is something worth seeking out and hearing for yourself, if for no other reason than to put to rest this notion that digital circuitry can't be musical and emotionally engaging.

“In truth, it's been a long time since I've been this excited by an amplifier. But the SU-G700 doesn't excite me by what it brings to light in a large, bombastic fashion. No, the SU-G700 excites by how confidently it goes about doing its job without needing to shout about it. It's beautifully Zen, and I love it.” – Andrew Robinson

Video Review by Steve Guttenberg

Video Review by Stjernholm Reviews

Video Review by Paul Rigby, The Audiophile Man