Technics has launched the SL-1500CS, a technologically enhanced version of the SL-1500C direct drive turntable, bringing the company’s proprietary Delta Sigma (ΔΣ) drive technology to a more affordable price point.

Unveiled in Sydney, the SL-1500CS is priced at AU$2,499 and will be available in Australia through Technics specialty retailers from March.

A key upgrade is the inclusion of Technics’ ΔΣ-Drive motor control technology. This technology was first introduced in 2023 on the SL-1200GR2/1210GR2 and has since been added to higher-end models such as the SL-1300G and the limited edition SL-1200GME.

According to Technics, the ΔΣ-Drive uses advanced digital signal processing derived from a fully digital amplifier design to refine the motor’s sinusoidal signal, significantly reducing vibration and improving rotational accuracy.

“The new SL-1500CS turntable features one of our most innovative proprietary technology achievements, the Delta Sigma (ΔΣ) drive,” said Chris Moore of Technics.

“The drive’s excellent rotational precision minimizes motor vibration, resulting in very good acoustic performance for this turntable class.”

The SL-1500CS is equipped with an iron coreless direct drive motor with a single rotor/single stator configuration to minimize cogging, combined with precision digital speed control for improved stability.

Inheriting the two-layer chassis structure of the SL-1500C, it combines an aluminum die-cast frame with ABS and glass fiber to increase rigidity and damping. There’s also a statically balanced S-shaped aluminum tonearm with precision bearings.

For ease of use, the turntable includes a built-in MM phono equalizer and ships with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge pre-mounted in a universal head shell. Automatic tonearm lift prevents unnecessary stylus and record wear.

The SL-1500CS has a metallic gray finish and uses EPS-free cardboard packaging.