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The SL-G700M2 is the second generation of Technics’s Grand Class player. It supports playback of physical discs (CD, SACD), high-resolution streaming, and digital-to-analog conversion. Its chassis is made of aluminum and weighs 12.3 kg. The device is equipped with two ESS ES9026PRO DAC chips in dual mono configuration and coherent processing technology developed by Technics.
The SL-G700M2 adopts a radical compartmentalization philosophy reminiscent of professional electronics practices. The interior of the chassis is divided into four physically separated sections: power supply, digital interface, analog circuits, and reading mechanism. This physical segregation eliminates mutual interference between circuits, particularly between power stages and circuits handling low-amplitude signals.
The 7mm thick aluminum front panel is not merely an aesthetic element. Combined with the 3mm side panels, it forms effective shielding against external electromagnetic interference. The reading tray, die-cast in aluminum, benefits from a three-layer structure that absorbs mechanical vibrations. This construction recalls the approach adopted by Technics as early as 1970 with the SP-10, the world’s first direct-drive turntable, which already prioritized mass and rigidity to ensure precise playback.
The display remains deliberately compact and monochrome, a technical choice that limits digital interference in audio circuits. The physical controls—central knob, navigation buttons, loading tray—prioritize mechanical reliability over touch interfaces. The front USB-A port allows direct playback of high-resolution files from a flash drive, while the 6.35mm headphone output incorporates a Class AA amplifier capable of delivering 110mV into 32 ohms.
The coherent processing developed by Technics addresses a fundamental problem of digital-to-analog conversion: amplitude and phase deviations that occur during the transition from digital to analog domain. This proprietary technology analyzes PCM signals up to 192kHz and applies digital signal processing (DSP) upstream of conversion to minimize these deviations.
Specifically, the system predicts distortions that will occur during conversion and applies inverse correction before the signal reaches the DAC chips. DSD signals, such as those from Super Audio CDs, bypass this processing and are directly routed to the converters, thus preserving their native 1-bit structure. This differentiated approach according to format demonstrates a refined understanding of the characteristics specific to each digital audio standard.
The two ESS ES9026PRO chips operate in symmetrical dual mono configuration: each channel has its own 8-channel converter configured to process a single stereo signal. Four channels are assigned to the left channel, four to the right, enabling parallel processing that reduces noise and improves dynamics. This configuration, combined with the symmetrical physical placement of the chips on either side of the circuit board, minimizes inter-channel interference and preserves the spatial coherence of the recording.
The power supply often constitutes the Achilles’ heel of digital players. Technics has developed a multi-stage hybrid power supply that combines three complementary approaches. The first stage uses a high-frequency switching power supply operating at approximately 300kHz—a frequency borrowed from the reference amplifier SU-R1000. This high frequency pushes switching harmonics well beyond the audio band, reducing their impact on the musical signal.
The second stage employs low-noise regulators that stabilize supply voltages with extreme precision. These regulators use components selected for their low noise floor contribution and thermal stability. The third stage, more innovative, implements active noise suppression through current injection. This system detects noise components present on the power rails in real time and generates an opposite-phase current to cancel them—a principle similar to active noise-canceling headphones, but applied to the electrical domain.
The master clock, a critical element for temporal precision of conversion, has its own battery power supply. This total galvanic isolation of the clock circuit eliminates any parasitic modulation that could come from the mains or other circuits. The dedicated clock generator synchronizes not only the converters but also the entire digital chain, ensuring temporal coherence from disc reading to analog output.
Pure Disc Playback mode represents a radical approach to CD and SACD playback. When activated, all circuits non-essential to disc reading are physically disconnected from power. The display turns off, network circuits are cut, the USB interface is disabled. Only the reading mechanism, converters, analog circuits, and dedicated power supply remain active.
This selective deactivation drastically reduces internal electrical noise. High-frequency digital circuits of the network module, particularly interference generators, cease all activity. The main processor switches to minimal mode, reducing its consumption and therefore its electromagnetic radiation. Even the remote control sees its sensitivity reduced to limit infrared receiver activity.
The SACD reading mechanism, developed specifically for this high-resolution format, uses a servo mechanism optimized for reading both layers of a hybrid disc. The laser can switch between the standard CD layer (Red Book) and the high-density SACD layer without audible interruption. The system maintains tracking precision below 0.01% speed variation, ensuring flutter-free playback even on slightly warped discs.
The SL-G700M2 naturally reads audio CDs and CD-R/RW, but its true strength lies in its ability to natively decode stereo SACDs. The SACD format, with its DSD sampling at 2.8MHz, offers theoretical bandwidth up to 50kHz and 110dB dynamics. The player also handles MQA CDs (Master Quality Authenticated), fully unfolding the three encoding levels to restore the original studio master.
On the network side, compatibility extends to PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD files up to 11.2MHz (DSD256). FLAC and ALAC formats are decoded up to 24-bit/384kHz, while WAV and AIFF formats accept native 32-bit. This versatility enables playback of virtually all commercially available high-resolution audio files.
Integration of Chromecast and AirPlay 2 protocols transforms the SL-G700M2 into a receiver for streaming services. Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, and Amazon Music are directly accessible, with native decoding of high-resolution streams when available. Roon Ready certification (after firmware update) allows integration into a Roon ecosystem, with centralized library management and configurable upsampling.
The USB-B port, new to this M2 version, accepts signals up to 384kHz/32-bit in PCM and DSD256 in asynchronous USB Audio Class 2.0 mode. This direct connection to a computer transforms the SL-G700M2 into a high-performance external DAC, fully exploiting its conversion circuits and optimized analog output stage.
The M2 replaces the AKM AK4497 DAC chips, which became difficult to source, with ESS ES9026PRO in dual mono configuration. It adds a USB-B port absent from the original model, allowing direct connection to a computer. The power supply has been optimized with switching frequency increased to 300kHz and the addition of active noise suppression through current injection. Command response times have been significantly improved.
The mode physically disables all non-essential circuits, reducing the noise floor by several decibels. On a very resolving system, the difference manifests as a blacker background and better separation of micro-details. The effect remains subtle on standard systems but becomes more perceptible with high-sensitivity speakers or headphones.
The processing analyzes incoming PCM signals and predicts phase and amplitude distortions that will occur during conversion. A proprietary DSP then applies inverse pre-correction before sending the signal to the DACs. This preventive compensation improves transient accuracy and temporal coherence of the reproduced signal.
Yes, via the USB-B input for a computer, or the coaxial and optical digital inputs for other sources. The conversion circuits and analog output stage remain identical regardless of source. Volume can be fixed or variable as needed. Conversion quality equals that of dedicated DACs sold at the same price.
Listening tests generally reveal a slight superiority of physical CD, with more body and naturalness in reproduction. This difference is explained by the absence of network processing and direct data reading. However, the gap remains marginal and may not necessarily justify building a physical CD collection if you prioritize streaming convenience.
Frank
Top product!
In this price range, nothing comes close to the Technics SL-G700 M2
Comment from January 02, 2026 — Experience from December 15, 2025
Moustakim
Really comprehensive, I don’t regret my purchase at all 👍
Comment from October 20, 2025 — Experience from September 21, 2025
Leonard
I would like to draw your attention to issues with the Google Cast implementation in the SL-G700M2 network player. Despite a specification of up to 96 kHz/24-bit, all streams are reduced to 48 kHz, which is neither stated in the documentation nor meets the standards of a high-end device.
In addition, Google Cast does not work reliably with the BubbleUPnP and mConnect Android apps. Only files with a resolution below 96 kHz are streamed correctly from the Audirvana Studio app – the sound is noticeably distorted with high-res files. No connection can be established at all with the Qobuz app.
Comment from July 24, 2025 — Experience from July 15, 2025
