Review: Technics SU-R1000 – digital, but not digital

Not long ago it seemed that the Technics brand had sunk into oblivion in the audiophile field - but it rose from the ashes and offered fans of High End not just a set of impressive equipment. But they also rethought modern approaches to the design of such electronics. The Technics Reference series of components today is an example of how many years of disassembly and traditional attention to every detail allow you to give the world genuine pearls of good sound. The Technics SU-R1000 integrated amplifier is just one of them, and we are testing it today.

Design

Technics SU-R1000 is a fully digital device. Signals from analog inputs are digitized, all their processing occurs in digital form. The output stages operate in class D, and all power supplies are pulsed. As we know, audiophiles do not respect such solutions too much, preferring time-tested class A/AB amplifiers. Well, the company set an ambitious task - to create a fully digital amplifier (without introducing hybrid circuits for current and voltage into the circuit design, like, say, Devialet Expert 220 Pro, which we recently reviewed), breaking all traditional canons on the topic of how such a device should sound.

Of course, if we are talking about modern music, the fact remains that sound engineers have long preferred to work "in digital", convenience outweighs the scales, and the number of tools for working with sound is wider, and mastering itself takes much less time. But there is also a downside - fully digital playback in the home path (the transition from passive crossovers in speakers to digital ones, with separate amplification of each band and DSP, which controls filters and compensates for phase distortions) remains exotic. Although in theory this approach should provide higher quality of playback, the limitation of maneuver in the choice of components and the difficulties with stitching bands do not allow the technology to gain a foothold even in the High End industry.

Technology

Technics SU-R1000 solves the problem gradually - its digital circuitry allows you to implement several unique technologies that radically improve the sound quality.

JENO Engine is a system that will eliminate the traditional "generic" shortcomings of D-class amplification. Jitter is reduced by using a clock generator at low and mid frequencies, as well as a sampling frequency converter in the high frequency range. As a result, jitter is understood throughout the entire bandwidth - and is reduced very significantly.

ADCT (Active Distortion Cancellation Technology) – an active distortion suppression module. An analogue of negative feedback in traditional amplification, only implemented in the digital domain.

LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration) – a technology for adaptive optimization of loudspeaker impedance, allowing to level out dips in the resistance curve. The unit works in a very interesting way, first calibrating the system using test signals after connecting the speakers, and then, during playback, using the created profile to align the phase and reduce distortion. If you do not like the result, the module can be easily turned off using the remote control.

AS2PS (Advanced Speed Silent Power Supply) – innovative circuitry of power supplies based on gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, characterized by higher operating speed and energy efficiency. All four power supplies (a pair for amplifying the left and right channels and two more for the digital and final analog part of the pre-amplification) are designed according to this scheme and are reliably shielded from interference and noise with steel plates.

Finally, Technics SU-R1000 sports a built-in Intelligent Phono EQ phono preamplifier. This unit is also digital, based on Asahi Kasei AKM AK5572EN chips with ADC up to PCM 24 bit / 192 kHz and support for all known equalization curves (Columbia, Decca / London, NAB, AES, RCA, IEC, RIAA). The phono preamplifier operates with such technologies as Accurate EQ (precise equalization curve), Crosstalk Canceller (crosstalk suppressor) and Response Optimizer (response optimizer). In general, a lot of attention has been paid to vinyl playback here - the amplifier comes with a calibration LP with test signals. In total, with its help, you can create three playback optimization profiles - respectively, for three tonearms and three cartridges, so even owners of "multi-armed" vinyl turntables will be satisfied. The phono preamplifier is equipped not only with an asymmetrical input on RCA connectors, but also with a balanced one on XLR. However, only MC-type cartridges can be connected to the balanced input.

And in terms of the variety of switching capabilities, Technics SU-R1000 can be attributed to the major league. The amplifier is equipped with a pair of unbalanced analog linear inputs on RCA connectors and one balanced on XLR. There is also an input/output for connecting a tape recorder, as well as an output from a preamplifier and an input of a power amplifier. In the digital domain, it is worth noting an interesting feature of the device - the device can receive digital signals and play music in analog form through connected speakers, but there is no separate digital-to-analog converter in it (there is only the ADC for capturing an analog signal and converting it to digital) - it's all about the direct digital path of the device, in which the final signal conversion occurs in the amplification section, signals from digital inputs are sent for further processing without any conversion. Therefore, we boldly connect a digital transport to the device (using digital sources only with analog outputs is not recommended, as we will get double signal conversion) – and voila. Technics SU-R1000 offers two optical Toslink ports, a pair of coaxial SPDIF inputs and two USB-B ports. PCM audio with a maximum resolution of 32 bit/384 kHz and DSD (up to 22.4 MHz) is supported by USB.

Test system

After unpacking, you can enjoy the appearance of the Technics SU-R1000 - the device looks simply gorgeous. Perfectly fitted plates, handles that turn with precisely dosed force - everything here simply screams about luxury. And large pointer indicators of the signal level, covered with thick glass and equipped with a backlight, evoke thoughts of the golden age of audio and attract the eye. After 50 hours of burn-in, we can draw conclusions about the sound. We used the Technics SU-R1000 in a 40 m2 room and connected a High End Metronome Technologie DSC streamer to the device. Also, we used Penaudio Suomi acoustic systems and the set of cables (Nordost Frey 2, Heimdall, Red Dawn).

Listening

Technics SU-R1000 demonstrates dynamic sound with a huge number of tiny details. Familiar recordings seem to be remastered in high resolution – the effect is more like lifting the veil in front of the speakers. The amplifier’s signature feature is a beautifully layered soundstage with clearly defined vocals and instruments. But the real shock is that there is not a bit of harshness or sharpness, which is more or less typical of almost all solutions based on D-class amplification. Technics SU-R1000 shows a rounded and soft presentation, reminiscent of push-pull tube amplification.

Bob Dylan - Oh Mercy demonstrates beautifully structured low frequencies, the bass always remains elastic and clearly outlined. The wall of sound effect is also here, it is full-fledged, transferring us to a bygone era – but the best thing is that “they don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater”, offering to appreciate all the richness of shades and details of the recording.

Talents for separation of sound images and detail are clearly audible on the most difficult recording of Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 From the New World - fortissimo does not baffle the amplifier, and the sound picture demonstrates exceptional timbral authenticity and offers ideal play with musical textures.

Finally, Dire Straits Love Over Gold is another stress test for separation of sound images. And Technics SU-R1000 passes it with honor. And yes - if you listen to Technics SU-R1000 without knowing the features of its design, you will be sure that we have a classic amplifier in front of us, working in class AB!

Conclusion

The integrated amplifier Technics SU-R1000 shows all the advantages of modern digital amplification - the device is able to compete on equal terms and in some ways surpass High End solutions of this price group based on classic solutions.