Technics audio brand comes back to Australia with modern revivals of its iconic products

Its name holds weight with the likes of audiophiles and DJs, and the revered brand is finally returning down under.

An iconic audio brand once thought to never be seen on our shores again has returned to the Australian market, bringing with it modern reimaginings of some of its most beloved products.

The Technics audio name has been revered for several decades as the company built its brand around elegant design and superior craftsmanship, but as the digital revolution took over from analog products the Technics name disappeared with the vinyl records it brought to life.

But those vinyls are coming back in a big way, and now Technics is coming with it.

Vinyl records outsold CDs in this country for the first time last year, and while many of us are returning to vinyls, we’re being forced to make do with aged relics of the past, or else cheaply made turntables that don’t do as good a job.

With the reintroduction of the Technics brand, its owner Panasonic also gives you a chance to hear your favourite records faithfully reproduced.

The acclaimed brand is bringing four new products down under, including a reimagining of one of its most celebrated and sought after models.

The iconic SL1200 DJ turntable lives on.

The Technics SL-1200 is a familiar name to audiophiles and DJs.

The turntables, which use a direct drive motor rather than a belt, first launched in 1972 and gained popularity because it made it easy to drop into the middle of the song at the right point and create seamless transitions between tracks.

More than 3.5 million of the turntables have been sold over the years.

The SL-1200 is such an iconic turntable that good examples can still fetch more than $1000 on the second hand market.

But now sellers will have to compete with a new model, available in stores for $1749.

The SL-1210MK7 will retail through DJ specialists Store DJ.

Store DJ’s marketing manager Luke Bowditch said the company was proud to exclusively stock new turntable.

The original SL1200 is likely the most iconic turntable in the DJ community.

“Technics turntables are the most iconic piece of DJ technology ever, and this latest incarnation is the best one yet,” Mr Bowditch said.

His sentiment was echoed by professional DJs.

“I’ve got one of them at home, he looks a little worn,” DJ Frank Di Sebastiano told news.com.au. “I still use it in a studio environment. When you become a club DJ, you work in clubs, the turntables were already there. Realistically, they were always SL1200s. Always.”

“I can’t think of any other turntable that has a better reputation in that world,” Mr Di Sebastiano said.

Along with the reimagined SL-1210, the Technics turntable range includes three other high-end models, with pricetags to match.

The top of the range Grand Class SL-1200G ($6999) has been available globally for three years, but will now be within reach of cashed up Aussie audiophiles.

Technics' top of the line SL1200G shows off the brand's commitment to craftsmanship, but it doesn't come cheap.

The turntable is made in a special facility, and is built by a team that includes people who worked on the original line of turntables.

The facility can only produce a handful of the record players every day, but according to Panasonic audio and video product marketing manager Aaron Waters, it’s well worth it.

“The passion and detail that goes into creating revered Technics products encompasses both superior technology and a timeless design, with precise construction and craftsmanship to create the centrepiece of any music lover’s listening environment,” Mr Waters said.

The Technics turntable range also includes the SL-1200GR ($2749) and SL-1500C ($1999).

But it isn’t just analog revivals the company is counting on to help it crack back into the Australian market.

The brand’s new digital wireless streaming OTTAVA line will compete with the likes of Sonos.

The OTTAVA range is focused on wireless streaming of digital music.

Technics also has a pair of wireless headphones available in two colours.

The streaming line is focused on letting you seamlessly fill any room in your house with music, and includes support for Google Assistant voice commands and other features.

The company is also bringing a pair of wireless headphones and a wired pair targeted at the DJ crowd.

Do you have fond memories of a Technics turntable? Let us know in the comments below.