Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier new in the Technics Grand Class Series - Just add Speakers
The Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier is an extensively equipped streaming amplifier that combines the sonic genes of the Technics Grand Class Series with impressive flexibility in the most compact form, as the hi-fi manufacturer Technics describes its latest solution, which offers everything a modern all-in-one system should have, from streaming to HDMI interface.
- The new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier is said to be a particularly versatile, elegant and compact solution.
With the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier, the Japanese high-end hi-fi manufacturer Technics presents a solution that can clearly be categorised as a just-add-speaker, since it is a stereo integrated amplifier that can be understood as an all-in-one system. The fact that it is a solution that understands streaming is already in the name, but beyond that, all the interfaces required for a flexible hi-fi system are available here.
This also includes the fact that the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier, in addition to analogue and digital audio inputs, also comes with an HDMI interface that enables a direct connection to a TV set.
Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier based on the Technics JENO Engine
How could it be otherwise, of course, the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier is a stereo integrated amplifier, which the manufacturer calls a Full Digital Amp and refers to the unique Technics JENO Engine in the same breath.
From the Japanese point of view, the concept of a fully digital amplifier is superior to conventional concepts, as it is much less susceptible to disturbing external influences and thus guarantees absolutely precise signal processing at all times.
According to the manufacturer’s promise, the amplifier concept designed by Technics not only delivers the highest precision in signal processing of, for example, high-resolution digital audio formats, but also preserves the filigree texture of analogue recordings, which are immediately transferred to the digital level at the input stage.
The aforementioned Technics JENO engine is free of sound-damaging jitter and noise due to the highest precision in signal processing and relies on the Technics Clean Power Clock Generator Technology, which originates from the Technics Reference Class. However, it is only one of the other decisive components, and the power supply, which is also designed for the highest quality, is referred to by the manufacturer as the Twin Power Supply Circuit System. In addition, the manufacturer emphasises that only the most strictly selected components are used.
Technics Space Tune and LAPC
The new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier is equipped with the Technics Space Tune function, which allows the DPS-based signal processing to be adapted to the room environment and the installation location, so that excellent music reproduction is always provided.
By using the Technics Audio Center App for Apple iOS or by selecting a setting from the four presets – “Free”, “Wall”, “Corner” and “On a Shelf” – via the main unit, the user can achieve the most suitable setting for a particular acoustic environment depending on the installation location.
In addition, the L/R Custom function allows the user to adjust the left and right speaker settings independently when the speakers are placed in different installation conditions.
LAPC, or Load Adaptive Phase Calibration, is also used to optimise tuning based on the speaker systems.
Expressed soberly in figures, the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier delivers an output of twice 40 watts to speaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms, or twice 80 watts to speakers with an impedance of only 4 ohms.
Analogue or digital – phono preamplifier up to HDMI with ARC
As already mentioned in the introduction, the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier features all relevant interfaces, starting with inputs for analogue sources, where you can even rely on an integrated phono preamplifier, although this is reserved for drives equipped with MM cartridge systems.
For digital sources, coaxial and optical S/PDIF interfaces are available, and a USB-A and USB-B port for the integration of corresponding storage media or direct connection to a PC or Mac are not missing. In the latter case, it is USB 2.0 with asynchronous data transfer based on USB Audio 2.0, whereby audio data in Linear PCM format with up to 32 bits and 384 kHz as well as DSD up to DSD256 are supported. Content encoded in lossy MQA is also supported, which should also be mentioned here.
The HDMI interface deserves special mention, as the Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier is the first solution from Technics to use this interface. This is all the more astonishing, since the corresponding competence of the parent company Panasonic Corporation would be available in-house…
It is precisely this that the manufacturer has relied on, and also states that the HDMI interface of the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier also benefits from the Technics JENO Engine, thus guaranteeing particularly accurate signal processing free from interference.
Of course, the HDMI interface supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) and HDMI CEC for central control, so that nothing stands in the way of easy playback of the sound of TV series and films directly via the Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier.
It should also be mentioned that the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier has a pre-out and a 6.3 mm stereo jack connection for headphones.
It is also worth mentioning that the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier has an integrated tuner and is even equipped for FM as well as DAB or DAB+.
Flexible streaming via network and Bluetooth
If the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier is integrated into the network, which can be done either via an RJ45 Ethernet interface or via WiFi, it proves to be – nomen est omen – an extremely flexible and versatile streaming client.
The new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier initially understands streaming via UPnP as a dlna-certified streaming client, but Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 are much more convenient – both are of course offered by the Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier.
This allows access to a wide variety of apps, which only need to be installed on the source device – in the first place, this will be a smartphone or tablet. TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, Apple Music or Spotify, everything is ultimately supported.
If you want to connect your smartphone directly to the Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier without using it as a network source, you can easily do so via Bluetooth.
Elegant appearance
The Technics hi-fi systems are all characterised by a timelessly elegant design, and of course this also applies to the new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier, which is also extremely compact.
The front is adorned with a centrally located rotary encoder, a display including another rotary encoder, a USB-A port and the already mentioned headphone connection as well as the main switch. You can choose between a silver and a black version.
Prices and availability
The new model will probably be available on the market in July 2023. The pricing of this solution is pleasing, as the manufacturer lists € 1.799,- as the recommended retail price.
Getting to the point
The new Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier is a system that can typically be categorised as Just add Speakers, a stereo integrated amplifier that is so flexibly equipped that it can be called an All-in-One system, i.e. the user only needs to add a pair of loudspeaker systems in order to own a first-class hi-fi system that does not require any compromises. The spectrum here ranges from analogue inputs including a phono preamplifier, digital interfaces including USB and, for the first time with Technics, HDMI, to streaming, where Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 also open up all possibilities.
| PRODUCT | TECHNICS SU-GX70 NETWORK AUDIO AMPLIFIER |
|---|---|
| Price | € 1.799,- |
| Brand | TECHNICS |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Panasonic Corporation |
| Distribution | Panasonic Deutschland – Eine Division der Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
