A Japanese turntable through and through, embodying the very best of Japan – the Japan of the ‘roaring years’ of electronics, at a time when Japanese industry was setting new standards of precision and reliability. It is a 2-speed direct-drive turntable, capable of 33 and 45 rpm, designed during a period of intense technological innovation.
The sales success of the now-famous SL 1200 overshadowed the launch of this model, which many still consider a true gem today. The SL 110 was, in fact, presented as the all-in-one version of the top-of-the-range model of the era, the SP10, with which it shared the same motor, though housed in a ready-to-use cabinet. There were two models: the first, known as the SL 110, featuring a plinth designed to accommodate a tonearm of the customer’s choice, and the second, called the SL 1100, supplied with a standard Technics EPA110 tonearm.
This listing features the 110 model fitted with a Denon DA 305 tonearm. The turntable has been serviced and its electronics overhauled; aesthetically, it features a repainted cabinet and a brushed tonearm base, enhancements that improve its visual appeal whilst remaining true to the original design.
The SL-110 turntable was fitted with a large-diameter platter, weighing 2 kg, with a high moment of inertia. The platter was dynamically balanced and featured engraved stroboscopic dots on the edge for speed control. The motor was of the direct-drive type and did not suffer from the wow and flutter typical of belt-driven turntables. There were no vibrations, as the motor did not employ a high-speed rotation mechanism, and rumble was extremely low. As the SL-110’s motor included an electronic commutator, start-up was perfectly accurate. There was no speed instability or brush wear, as was often the case with traditional commutators; there were no pulse noises or sounds caused by brush friction. The speed was electronically stabilised, and it is interesting to note that the motor consumed less than a penny’s worth of electricity compared to a conventional AC motor.
The S-shaped Denon DA 305 tonearm featured lateral balance designed to allow the use of even low-tracking-force cartridges. The stylus pressure adjustment was of the direct-reading micrometric type. The horizontal rotating bearings were made from premium miniature components and protected by a double housing. The vertical rotation section consisted of a combination of an angular bearing protected by a special elastic material, with minimal friction, and a precision-hardened and polished spindle, designed to ensure stability against external vibrations and shocks whilst minimising the resonance of the tonearm itself.
The dust cover is new and was manufactured by a company specialising in plexiglass processing, helping to complete the unit both aesthetically and in terms of preservation. The turntable is supplied as shown in the photos, complete with the original audio cable, an aluminium 45rpm speed reducer and a copy of the instructions in English, elements which enhance its historical documentation and overall collectible value.
