Technics launches the SL-40CBT direct drive turntable

Blending legendary engineering with modern style and convenience for today’s vinyl enthusiasts.
Available in Terracotta, Light Grey or Charcoal Black.

Sydney, 5 September 2025 - Technics has announced the introduction of the new SL-40CBT Direct Drive Turntable. This latest model continues the iconic Technics legacy while introducing a fresh contemporary design and convenient new features aimed at both Hi-Fi users and modern home audio lovers.

The SL-40CBT maintains the classic Technics turntable characteristics, such as the iron-coreless direct drive motor and the high-precision S-shaped aluminum tonearm, while delivering a new, sleek design and usability to meet the expectations of today’s vinyl enthusiasts. Aimed at both newcomers and those upgrading from entry-level set ups, the turntable integrates seamlessly into stylish modern interiors, offering high quality performance, simplicity and elegance.

The turntable market is one of the core pillars for Technics worldwide. Over the past 55 years, Technics has set standards in this audio category, one of the key features being the ultra-robust direct drive motor, that has made Technics a true legend in the field of turntables.

Technics has become synonymous with premium-quality turntables for both the DJ and hi-fi markets. Constantly striving to satisfy customers, Technics has decided to move beyond conventional turntable design, combining classic features—such as the sophisticated, reliable iron-coreless direct drive motor—with a fresh new visual appearance in order to attract a new type of vinyl music lover. With the SL-40CBT, Technics focuses on music enthusiasts who are beginning their vinyl record journey and who also wish for a premium-quality product that delivers high-fidelity audio.

The SL-40CBT will be released in Australia on October 1, 2025. It will be available from selected audio specialist retailers at $1,299RRP.

Key features and innovations of the SL-40CBT

Superior sound with plug and play convenience

Factory-fitted Cartridges
The SL-40CBT comes pre-fitted with the Audio-Technica AT-VM95C with a conical stylus. This cartridge delivers clear and precise sound reproduction. In addition, the built-in phono equaliser is carefully tuned to match its cartridge, ensuring optimal playback quality.

Built in Phono MM Equaliser: The SL-40CBT also offers a built-in, high-quality Phono-MM equaliser, allowing the user to connect it to a music system without using a dedicated Phono input, for effortless connection and ultimate usability.

Wireless connectivity for modern living:
Enables seamless, wireless audio streaming to Bluetooth® compatible speakers and devices, offering excellent flexibility for placement and playback in any home environment.

Refined aesthetics for contemporary homes:
Departing from traditional aluminum die-cast chassis designs, the SL-40CBT features a sleek, minimalist MDF construction with a high-quality finish. The turntable is available in Terracotta, Light Grey or Charcoal Black.

This new compact form factor not only provides elegant integration into modern interiors but also aligns visually with the Technics SC-CX700 Wireless HiFi Speaker System, which is available in matching colours, allowing users to create a coordinated, seamless audio system set up.

Technics Grade Audio Performance

While the design has evolved, Technics has ensured that the SL-40CBT delivers the same premium level performance that the brand is renowned for:

・Iron coreless Direct Drive Motor: delivers stable, accurate rotation with high precision control circuitry, preserving musical authenticity of even the most demanding genres of music.

・Die-Cast Aluminum Platter with reinforcing ribs and directly mounted motor magnet: ensures reliable torque transmission and accurate drive characteristics.

・Newly designed S-shaped aluminum tonearm: Offers ultra-precise vinyl groove tracking, preserving subtle nuances and musical dynamics of any vinyl recording.

・Optimised vibration resistant insulator feet: Allowing for flexible placement, the reworked insulator feet are optimally tuned to provide high vibration resistance, enabling the SL-40CBT to be placed in the best environment within the home without sacrificing stability or sound quality.

Environmentally responsible packaging
In line with Technics’ commitment to sustainability, the SL-40CBT ships in environmentally conscious packaging.  Use of plastic has been significantly reduced by replacing polystyrene foam with cardboard-based materials, minimising the environmental footprint while maintaining excellent transport protection.

-ENDS-

■ About Technics

Technics is the brand name of hi-fi audio products owned by the Panasonic Corporation with main residence in Osaka, Japan. The Technics brand was founded in 1965. With a constant drive for innovation and excellence within the audio field, countless legendary hi-fi components have been released by the Technics brand, many of them having set new standards in the audio world.