Technics SU-GX70 Community Amplifier Evaluation: Vintage Appears, Trendy Sound

Throughout the app, you’ll discover a moderately intuitive interface that allows you to futz with lots of settings, select inputs, and circulation audio by means of services and products like Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, and others. You’ll upload Favorites for fast get admission to to a wide selection of native and world radio stations or play immediately from Spotify Attach, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Bluetooth. You’ll additionally circulation hi-res audio recordsdata from an area server at as much as 384 kHz/32-bit answer or DSD as much as 11.2 MHz.

The GX70’s unfold of connection choices is spectacular and contains 3 virtual inputs (two optical and one Coax), USB-B and USB-A, and excellent ol’ FM radio. Outputs come with a front-facing headphone output, stereo speaker outs, and a preamp output for connecting a 2nd amp or a powered sub. So yeah, you received’t run out of the way to play anytime quickly.

Should you desire a extra tactile manner of keep an eye on than the cell app, the GX70’s long-wand far off harbors the vast majority of important purposes, regardless that I want it integrated backlighting. You received’t want it for TV keep an eye on, regardless that, as your TV far off allows you to keep an eye on energy and quantity when hooked up over HDMI ARC—simply be sure you first regulate your TV’s audio output to PCM, or the amp will make terrible noises that might injury your audio system.

Sublime audio

Whilst the SU-GX70’s truckload of options understandably get the lion’s proportion of consideration, on the subject of efficiency Technics has delivered a transparent and succesful amplifier at the back of all that flashy tech. With an effective energy plant of 40 watts consistent with channel for an 8-Ohm load, the amp should not have any hassle powering maximum speaker units, from bookshelves to towers.

I examined the GX70 with 3 other bookshelf pairs, together with the Bowers & Wilkins’ 606 S3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), Focal Theva (9/10, WIRED Recommends), and Polk Legend L100. Throughout all 3 fashions, the Technics supplied crisp and transparent audio with very good definition, an actual and well-defined stereo symbol, and bold stability throughout frequencies.

Coming from the Uniti Atom, which prices just about double what you’ll pay for the SU-GX70, I understandably needed to regulate my expectancies. The Technics doesn’t be offering the similar frame and dynamic sound within the midrange and bass, nor does it supply a soundstage as expansive or dimensional as the only Naim’s black field delivers. There’s a reason why the Uniti Atom is an audiophile favourite, however you’ll pay for that excitement and get fewer inputs and settings into the discount. That mentioned, the Technics’ sound profile may be a departure from my different primary setup, KEF’s LSX-powered bookshelves.

The trait that actually stuck my consideration after I hooked up the SU-GX70 is its brighter and extra scientific supply. That was once particularly noticeable with TV content material, the place the amp introduced a extra ahead tone and a few ramped-up sibilance, with “S” sounds seeming to leap out a little extra readily in gentle audio productions. I were given used to the tighter tone over the years, and the amp is a particularly excellent pairing with Focal’s clean and silky Theva audio system, which give nice readability with out ever sounding sharp. The snappier B&W 606 S3 created a much less amicable partnership.

When connecting U-Flip’s Orbit Principle (9/10, WIRED Recommends) turntable (I’ll be auditioning a Technics SL-1500C-W subsequent, so keep tuned), I famous a drop in dimensionality and heat over the Naim gadget, however once more that’s to be anticipated at this value, and I used to be inspired by means of how properly the GX70 holds up for the cash. Albums like Elton John’s Tumbleweed Connection sound sparklingly transparent, entire with all of the creamy goodness of his piano and an outstanding collage of twangy tools around the soundstage in songs like “Amoreena” and “The place to Now St. Peter?”

Whilst it’s vital to select the proper speaker pairing, particularly the ones with smoother sound profiles from manufacturers like KEF or Focal, the SU-GX70 is a amusing and flexible gadget. Its candy mixture of transparent and detailed sound and gobs of options and connection choices make it an attractive stereo centerpiece for budding audiophiles.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *