Three Decades Of Audio History - Technics Celebrates Thirtieth Anniversary

1-Aug-00

The year was 1970 and Technics burst onto the audio scene with the introduction of the groundbreaking SP-10, the worldís first direct drive turntable. This product and its successors were quickly adopted as reference standards by radio stations and recording studios and soon after won the admiration of audiophiles worldwide.""Since its debut 30 years ago, Technics has set a record number of audio milestones,"" says Gene Kelsey, Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Audio Division. ""And this year, Technics makes history again, with the announcement of plans for a full line of DVD-Audio/Video products."" Throughout its history, Technics has been committed to the development of innovative, high-quality audio components, an effort which has been the result of advanced engineering design, rigorous quality control and sophisticated manufacturing processes. Along with this commitment to producing cutting-edge products has been the pursuit of reproducing the music the way that the musician intended for it to be heard: every note, every nuance and even every pause, so as to recreate the entire musical experience. Other key breakthroughs have included:- the introduction of the RS-275US cassette deck in 1973, the worldís first direct drive cassette deck;- the introduction of the SL-10 linear-tracking turntable in 1979, which went on to earn a place in New Yorkís Museum of Modern Art, and- the SL-XP7 portable CD player, introduced in 1985, then the worldís smallest product of its type- in 1989, the debut of Technicsí MASH 1-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an advanced technology that virtually eliminated distortion and set a new industry standard for music reproduction- Technics introduces the worldís first home THXÆ audio system in 1991, bringing the ultimate sound in home theatre to consumers.But these achievements barely scratch the surface of Technicsí contributions to audio technology since its arrival three decades ago. The included timeline offers greater detail on the innovations that have marked Technicsí first thirty years in the United States.""Since its inception, Technics has been at the forefront of audio innovation,"" notes Kelsey, ""and wherever the future leads, consumers can continue to look to our company for sophisticated, audio breakthroughs in the years to come.""Technics consumer electronics products are marketed in the United States by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America (MECA). MECA is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (NYSE: MC) of Japan, one of the worldís largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. Consumers seeking more information on the companyís products can call Panasonicís Customer Call Center at 800 211 PANA or access the Technics home page at www.technicsusa.com. Thirty Years Of Technics: A Timeline1970- The SP-10, the worldís first direct drive turntable is developed and released. 1973- Technics introduces worldís first direct drive cassette deck, the RS-275US. 1974- Breakthrough SL-1200 turntable introduced, with direct drive, strobe light with control and 13-inch curved tone arm. This model was originally released for consumers, but was used extensively by professional DJs for its outstanding durability and start-up performance.  1975- SB-7000 and SB-6000 introduced, worldís first linear phase speakers. 1976- RS-1500 introduced, marking the arrival of a new format of open reel tape deck with isolated loop. 1977- The leaf tweeter method speaker was developed for super wide-range reproduction, never before achieved by the conventional speaker-driven method. - Professional Series introduces first Class A+ power amp (SE-A1) and pre-amp (SU-A2), heralded by audio critics worldwide as breakthrough components. - The PCM recording method processor was developed.1978- Technics launches ""Micro Series"" components, including SE-CO1 amp, SU-CO1 pre-amp and ST-CO1 tuner; new compact components caused industry sensation. 1979- SL-10 introduced; new linear tracking turntable measuring little more than LP jacket size earned a place in the prestigious Design Collection at New Yorkís Museum of Modern Art. - Computer-driven new Class A method was developed and commercialized. For the first time, bias of amplifier output step was controlled by a microprocessor and switching hysteresis was resolved to reduce switching distortion. - The honeycomb method speaker system was developed. This speaker cone achieved high durability and low hysteresis in music reproduction.1981- Linear feedback speaker system was released. 1983- The first Technics CD player, SL-P10 was released. 1984- First Technics Mega CD changer was introduced: the SL-P15 with 50-disc mechanism. - SA-R100, first Technics wall-mountable stereo system, with honeycomb coaxial speakers 1985- SL-XP7 debuts, first portable CD player from TechnicsÖ and the worldís smallest CD player at the time.- The development and commercialization of Class AA products. Low voltage and low current drive of amplifier output level has been obtained and Technics comes one step closer to highly loyal reproduction of original sound.1986- The SL-P1200 professional CD player was developed. 1987- Technics introduces 4DAC/18-bit fine resolution decoding for the CD player. This technology produces a higher sampling rate and results in improved sound quality. 1989- Technicsí MASH 1-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) introduced. This advanced technology virtually eliminated distortion and set a new industry standard for music reproduction. It is now at the heart of all Technics CD players. - Technics introduces its first 5-disc rotary CD changer, model SL-PC20, setting the trend in the industry for CD changers thereafter.1990- The SL-PS70 CD player adopts MASH on an LSI chip, contributing to the miniaturization of high-performance CD players. 1991- Technics introduces the worldís first home THXÆ audio system, for ultimate sound in home theatre. - ""Digital servo control"" for CD player was developed and commercialized.1992- Technicsí unique ""battery-driven,"" ""virtual battery-driven"" amplifier was developed. This technology helped with the reproduction of pure sound by preventing source noise from mixing into the signal channels. 1993- Technics Hybrid Construction Base (THCB) was developed and commercialized. This unique base helped prevent vibration noise from mixing into the signal channels. 1994- ""Class H+"" amp circuitry is introduced. Ideal for home theatre amps, this circuitry helps reduce excess heat generation and guards against ""clipping"" distortion. 1995- First use of MOSFET in ""Class AA"" amplifier 1998- Technics SC-HD55 micro-system was introduced. - Technics SA-AX6 home theatre receiver incorporating Technicsí innovative ""Ta-Ke"" capacitors is introduced. These special capacitors use bamboo fiber for exceptional sound clarity and neutral yet powerful audio. 1999- Technics becomes the first company to introduce ""DVD-Audio"" and ""DVD-Audio Ready"" concept in the United States. 2000- Technics announces its plans for a full line of DVD-Audio products: DVD-A10 DVD-Audio player, SA-DA8, SA-DA10 DVD-Audio ready receivers, SB-T300, SB-AFC300 DVD-Audio ready speakers. - Technics celebrates first 30 years!

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