Technics SL-G700M2 Network and CD/SACD Player

By Anthony H. Cordesman

Digital Evolution

This review is easy to write in one key respect: The Technics SL-G700M2 is an excellent sounding unit that combines a superior disc player and DAC with equally good streaming capability. It sells for some $3500, so it is on the edge of today’s higher-priced units, although high price is relative. Some other combinations of a DAC and disc player sell for over $14,000; the SL-G700M2 is moderately priced by comparison.

At the same time, the sound of the SL-G700M2—like that of all the best current DACs—is superb. The sound quality of digital front ends is becoming steadily better. While the sonic nuances of given players can still be heard on most reference systems, they are often minor compared to the far greater sonic differences in other components like loudspeakers and those imposed by the listening room and position. That doesn’t make such nuances unimportant, but it can mean that the real issue for a given audiophile and system is how well the nuances of a particular…