Technics, Japan
Technics was introduced as a brand name for premium loudspeakers marketed domestically by Matsushita in 1965. The name came to wider prominence with the international sales of direct-drive turntables. In 1969, Technics launched the SP-10, the first direct-drive model for the professional market, followed in 1971 by the SL-1100 for the consumer market. The SL-1100 was used by the influential DJ Kool Herc for the first sound system he set up after emigrating from Jamaica to New York. In 1972, Technics introduced the first autoreverse system in a cassette deck in its Technics RS-277US and in 1973 it introduced the first three-head recording technique in a cassette deck (Technics RS-279US).
9000 Professional Series: A series of stack-able, or rack mountable, units included the SE-9060 Amp, SU-9070 Pre-Amp, SH-9010 Equalizer, SH-9020 Meter Unit and ST-9030 Tuner. These “Pro Series” components replaced the earlier SE-9600 Amp, SU-9700 Pre-Amp and ST-9300/9600/9700 Tuner that were deemed too large. The 9000 Pro Series was introduced because of demand for smaller, quality components. The European version of the Pro Series had a different faceplate than the US version: 18″ vs. 19″. Because of the narrower faceplate, the European version required special rack brackets to be rack mountable. The brackets came with the European version of the SH-905ST Professional Series rack. The only difference between this rack and the US version was inclusion of those brackets.
Technics: the short history
The original page covers Technics up to its 1970s cassette decks and the 9000 Professional Series. The brand's later history: the SL-1200 turntable of 1972, developed by a team led by Shuichi Obata, became the standard club and radio turntable; Panasonic dropped the Technics name for most products in October 2010 and relaunched it in late 2014, with turntables returning in 2016.
The original page's mention of the SL-1100 and DJ Kool Herc fits Wikipedia's account of the direct-drive turntable's role in early hip-hop.
| Introduced | 1965, by Matsushita (Panasonic) |
|---|---|
| First product | EAB-1204 / SB-1204 "Technics 1" speaker |
| SP-10 | 1969, first direct-drive turntable for professional use |
| SL-1200 | 1972 |
| Brand paused | October 2010; relaunched late 2014 |
Questions collectors ask
When did Technics start?
Matsushita introduced Technics in 1965 as a brand for premium loudspeakers sold in Japan.
Is Technics still a brand?
Yes. Panasonic discontinued it for most products in 2010 and relaunched it in late 2014.
Sources: Wikipedia: Technics (brand).
