https://neovisionconsulting.blogspot.com/2022/07/11-technicssa-c600-mqa-cd30cjbl-l100.html
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Technics
Hisaaki Hijikata 07:00, 21 February 2022
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Integrated Network CD Receiver "SA-C600
With the spread of music distribution services and more time spent at home, many people are listening to music on their laptop PCs or at home with their smartphones plus earphones. Since we can now listen to a lot of high-quality music, it is natural to want to listen to it on high-quality audio equipment with full-fledged speakers! It is natural to want to listen to high-quality music on high-quality audio equipment with authentic speakers. However, two obstacles stood in our way: "We don't have space for a large component" and "Full-scale audio equipment is expensive.
The reason I use the past tense of the word "had" is that a remarkable new product has appeared on the market that breaks down these barriers. These are the "SA-C600" integrated network CD receiver (110,000 yen) and the "SB-C600" compact bookshelf speakers (110,000 yen for the pair), both of which will be released by Technics on February 25. Despite their high sound quality, both are compact and low-priced, and the fact that you can get Technics audio equipment at this price is quite impressive.
SB-C600 compact bookshelf speakers
Combination of the SA-C600 and SB-C600
Let's take a look at the SA-C600 and SB-C600 over the next two weeks. This time, we will start with the SA-C600. We brought both models into our listening room to thoroughly check their functions, usability, and performance as amplifiers when combined with speakers other than the SB-C600.
Compact but attractive design, connectable to TVs and record players
SA-C600
The SA-C600 is a network-compatible all-in-one audio product equipped with a 60W (4Ω) digital power amplifier in a thin and compact chassis measuring 340 x 341 x 94mm (W x D x H). With just this one unit, you can enjoy music to the fullest by combining it with your favorite speakers.
Technics audio products are offered in three classes, starting with the top series: Reference Class, Grand Class, and Premium Class. The SA-C600 is noteworthy because it belongs to the "Premium Class," which incorporates the technologies of higher-end models but at an affordable price.
The first thing that cannot be overlooked when discussing the SA-C600 is its superb design. The chassis is thin and compact, with a height of 85 mm. The top panel is made of aluminum with a hairline finish, and a top-loading CD drive is placed there. The design is audio "gripping" and enjoyable to look at, as you can see the CD spinning during playback.
Top-loading CD drive with rotating CD visible during playback
The aluminum is 3 mm thick, not only for design purposes, but also to improve sound quality by reducing internal vibrations and suppressing external vibrations. In these areas, the DNA of an audio manufacturer can be felt.
Another major feature of this unit is its ability to handle a wide range of music sources, both old and new. First, CD playback. Although streaming and smartphone-based music playback have recently become the main style of music playback, there are many people who want to listen to their precious CDs they bought and saved in their youth in good sound once again.
In addition, the device is equipped with a network function and of course supports streaming playback. It supports both wired and wireless (Wi-Fi IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac) connections, and streaming services include Amazon Music, Spotify, and Deezer. Incidentally, Amazon Music HD (up to 192 kHz/24-bit) is not supported at this time. The company is "considering support while keeping an eye on market trends," so we expect support for this service to become available.
It can also play digital music files such as high-resolution files from a NAS or USB memory, etc. In addition, it supports Internet radio, FM radio, AirPlay 2, and is compliant with Chromecast built-in. In addition, while the codecs are standard AAC/SBC, Bluetooth connectivity is also possible, allowing easy playback of audio from YouTube and other sites by connecting to smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Another key feature is MQA compatibility. MQA files downloaded from music distribution services can be played back in full decoding. As mentioned earlier, it also has a built-in CD player, but it can also play back MQA-CDs in high-resolution.
What is even more impressive about the SA-C600 is its very extensive set of input terminals. It is equipped with coaxial digital, optical digital, and even a phono equalizer compatible with MM cartridges. A record player can be combined, or a TV can be connected to play dramas and movies through the audio speakers.
Back of the SA-C600
Full-fledged amplifier section incorporating technologies of higher-end models
The SA-C600 is an all-in-one unit that can handle a wide range of sound sources, but what makes the SA-C600 so valuable is the thorough sound quality measures it takes. Many of the technologies used in the top-of-the-line series have been introduced on a sliding scale. Moreover, they are based on two approaches: "sound quality measures in the audio circuitry" and "under the digital domain, which is typical of Technics.
First, we need to talk about measures to improve sound quality in the audio circuitry, which is the amplifier. The JENO Engine, a proprietary full-digital amplifier technology, is the hallmark of modern Technics amplifiers. This technology is composed of a highly accurate jitter reduction circuit and a unique high-precision PWM conversion circuit, which ensures high musicality while producing high-resolution sound.
Proprietary "JENO Engine" Full Digital Amplifier
Another key feature is the "Twin Power Supply Circuit System," which has an independent power supply dedicated to the amplifier despite its small body. It has two independent transformers, and low noise is achieved by connecting the dedicated transformers to the amplifier circuits at the shortest distance and separating them from the rest of the circuits.
Twin Power Supply Circuit System" with independent power supply dedicated to the amplifier
In addition, a variety of other proprietary technologies have been incorporated into the compact body, including a "Clean Powered Clock Generator" circuit based on the noise suppression technology used in the company's top-of-the-line record player, the SL-1000R.
Another attractive feature is the various signal processing using the digital domain (digital audio signal domain). For example, the "Space Tune" function optimizes the low-frequency volume of speakers, which varies greatly depending on where they are placed in a room.
In addition, the "CD Hi-Resolution Re. Master" function, which raises 44.1 kHz/16-bit CD data to the equivalent of high-resolution data, and the "CD Hi-Resolution Re. Master" function, and "Re-master" technology, which brings sources that use lossy (compressed) formats, such as Bluetooth and Internet radio, closer to uncompressed lossless sources.
If these audio processing technologies were to be performed in the analog domain, such as tone control in amplifiers, there would be considerable degradation of sound quality, but by performing them digitally, the loss is kept to a minimum. This is a technique that is typical of Technics, which excels in digital audio processing.
As an all-in-one unit, operability has also been taken into consideration. The top of the unit is equipped with physical buttons, and the front panel has an OLED display showing operational status and touch buttons. In addition to the dedicated remote control, the "Technics Audio Center," a control app that can be installed on iOS and Android devices, can also be used. The usability of this unit, which can make full use of these three functions, is likely to be high for a variety of music playback scenarios.
Technics Audio Center" control app
Included remote control
Check the sound quality by connecting to floor speakers in an audio environment!
So, how is the sound quality?
This time, using the listening room on the first floor of my home, I tried streaming, high-resolution file and vinyl playback in a pure audio environment combined with my current mid- to large-size JBL L100 Classic 75 speakers (750,000 yen for the pair).
Installation of the SA-C600 is simple because it is an all-in-one unit. After connecting the power and speaker cables, all that was left was to connect to the network via wireless or Wi-Fi and install the Technics Audio Center control app on a smartphone or tablet. Incidentally, the speaker terminals are solid, and it is nice to be able to securely fasten the speaker cables. This is another part of the amplifier that is typical of a full-fledged amplifier.
During installation, I was struck once again by the design and lightness of the SA-C600. The silver chassis, which inherits the straight line design typical of the new Technics, is a good match not only in the audio room but also in the living room. Furthermore, the compact chassis weighs only 4.8 kg, making it easy to install on a sideboard or furniture.
First, let's start with the basics: CD playback. I listened to one of my cherished CDs, Mariah Carey's "# 1's" released in 1998.
Slide the transparent lid of the unit and insert the disc so that it "clicks" into place. It was like smartly opening the door of a well-designed piece of furniture. When the lid was put back on, playback began automatically. The spinning disc is beautifully illuminated, enhancing the atmosphere of listening to music. The manner in which the disc was set on the top panel and the sound was produced gave me the heightened sensation that I was playing an analog disc.
JBL L100 Classic 75
The JBL speakers I paired with were mid-sized models developed based on the "L100 Century," which was introduced in the 1970s. In the general sense, it is a full-fledged, large 3-way speaker equipped with a 300mm-diameter woofer. At first, I wondered if the tiny SA-C600 would be able to compete.
However, my fears were unfounded: the SA-C600 has a high-fidelity sound production with modern descriptive power, and the driving power of the speakers was much greater than I had expected. The transparency of the mid and high frequencies was high, which made vocal details sharp and voices charming. The low frequency range was more robust than I had expected. Above all, I was reassured by the faithful sound trend similar to that of the SU-R1000 and SU-G700M2 high-grade amplifiers, which I highly value.
Next, I started up "Technics Audio Center" installed on my iPad and played back the high-resolution Jazz masterpiece "Blowing Session" (DSD 2.8 MHz) from the NAS installed at the author's house. The high groove sound typical of JBL speakers can be heard clearly. The roar of the saxophone and the weighty bass were also expressed excellently.
For example, if the SA-C600 were driven by a huge amplifier costing 1 million yen, which is 10 times the price of the SA-C600, it might be able to produce even more expressive power than this. However, if the SA-C600, at 110,000 yen, can produce this level of groove in such a small and integrated unit, I am very satisfied.
In fact, many of the developers at Technics are music lovers. In the past, it was often said that audio products made by large Japanese companies lacked musicality, but this is not true of the new Technics.
As a side note, in addition to playback of digital music files from the NAS I just tested, the SA-C600 can also play back digital music files by connecting an external hard disk/memory device to the USB port on the front panel. Note, however, that USB memory sticks can only be formatted in FAT16, FAT32, or NTFS format. If possible, we hope to see support for exFAT, which has recently become popular among users.
The rear panel also has a USB-B input, so you can enjoy so-called "PC audio" using a PC as a transport. It's like "anything goes.
Next, I played a J-pop hit chart playlist from Spotify, a streaming service. Although it does not have the same absolute information content as the high-resolution file I just listened to, I was happy to be able to listen to music more easily than anything else.
It can also connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth to play videos and music on the phone. The device is also compatible with AirPlay 2, so you can easily playback music from your iPhone or iPad. AirPlay 2 is also supported, so you can easily playback from your iPhone or iPad.
I would also like to mention the "Technics Audio Center" control app. This app has a black graphical user interface, and the series of operations from source selection to listening are smooth. The screen touch response is also excellent. As mentioned earlier, basic playback instructions and volume adjustments can be made from the SA-C600's main unit or from the included remote control, and the high level of operability required of an integrated unit is also acceptable.
For those who want to enjoy analog records
Technics SL-1500C turntable
Let's also try the sound of vinyl records. The SL-1500C turntable from Technics (110,000 yen) is a simple unit that can be connected with a single RCA line cable. -C600 has a built-in MM type equalizer, so it is not to be overlooked that it can work with them as well.
Here, I put the needle on my own old jazz tunes such as Blue Note and Prestige, as well as "simple is best" by Aoi Teshima.
The SA-C600 and SL-1500C both have physical buttons on the top surface, such as the power button, which makes it easy to load a record, start the turntable, and set the volume.
As for sound quality, the SL-1500C is well known as a record player with a high cost-performance ratio in terms of sound quality, and I was able to listen to many discs with better sound than expected here as well. The analog boom is heating up, and the SA-C600 chassis is height-matched to the SL-1500C and SL-1200MK7, giving it an outstanding visual unity when placed side by side.
The SA-C600 chassis is flush with the SL-1500C and SL-1200MK7, giving it an outstanding sense of visual unity when installed side by side.
Space Tune" adjusts sound quality to match the installation location
Finally, we tested the "Space Tune" function, which adjusts the sound quality according to the speaker's installation location.
This function offers a total of four presets: "Free" for when there is space available in front of, behind, left, or right of the speaker, "Wall" for wall placement, "Corner" for wall corner placement, and "In a Shelf" for placing small speakers on a shelf or similar location.
A total of four presets can be selected.
We tried out the effect of turning the L100 Classic 75 on and off in "Wall" mode by placing it near a wall. When turned off, the low frequency range tends to be boomy and bloated, and sound detail is often lost. In the past, this would have been adjusted by moving the speakers up and down, but this is a powerful feature for living rooms where there is no flexibility in furniture or speaker placement.
These are just a few presets, but if you have the Technics Audio Center installed on your iOS device, you can also use the "Measured" mode, which uses the device's microphone to measure and correct the frequency response more precisely. If you are using an iPhone or other device, you may want to try this mode.
A "spirited" all-in-one unit, ideal for an introduction to audio
After listening to the model, I was struck by the tremendous amount of effort that Technics has put into this model.
In 2014, Technics announced its revival, and over the past few years it has released a series of middle-class range products that particularly appeal to audiophiles and make them "want it". After developing these products, the SA-C600 is now available as a less expensive and more affordable model, so it is not difficult to imagine how enthusiastic the development team is about this new product. The SA-C600 is a small body with a high resolution, high resolution, and high resolution audio system. In the past, it would have been impossible to create an audio product with so many functions packed into such a small body.
According to the development team, because of the thin case, there were restrictions on the placement of parts to avoid interference between the parts on the circuit board and the CD unit, and also, by incorporating multiple functions into a single compact body, some parts had to be subjected to severe thermal stress. They solved these problems by devising the placement of parts and heat dissipation.
I believe that the SA-C600 has achieved the contradictory goals of a compact chassis, multifunctionality, and high sound quality thanks to the evolution of the amplifier and other devices, the abundant development resources of Technics, and above all, the efforts of the development team.
The top panel has a monochrome OLED screen with touch keys on the front, without adding more buttons, which allows for both simple button operation and a sophisticated design. This time, it was also able to drive large speakers excellently, making it perfect for people with old speakers to upgrade to the latest audio systems. This is also a good choice for people who want to start a serious audio hobby, as it allows them to enjoy a full-fledged audio system, which tends to become bloated, in a slimmer package with better sound quality.
Although I may have given it too much praise, I can find no fatal flaws, and I am sure that you will be quite satisfied with your purchase.
Next week, we will finally try to pair the SA-C600 with its small bookshelf speaker counterpart, the SB-C600. Expect to hear the sound of Technics Audio, which you can get for a total of 220,000 yen.
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