Published On: September 7, 2015

Panasonic Unveils New Technics GC Series

Published On: September 7, 2015
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Panasonic Unveils New Technics GC Series

At IFA, Panasonic unveiled several Technics products, including the new Grand Class (GC) Series--which features the SU-G30 network audio amplifier (shown here) and the ST-G30 music server. The SU-G30 has a variety of digital and analog inputs and supports a...

Panasonic Unveils New Technics GC Series

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Technics-GU-ST30.jpgAt IFA, Panasonic unveiled several Technics products, including the new Grand Class (GC) Series--which features the SU-G30 network audio amplifier (shown here) and the ST-G30 music server. The SU-G30 has a variety of digital and analog inputs and supports a wide range of files, including hi-res PCM up to 384-kHz/32-bit and DSD 11.2 MHz, as well as a number of music streaming services. The ST-G30 offers similar file compatibility and bit-perfect CD ripping to a Solid State Drive. U.S. pricing and availability have not yet been announced.

From Technics
Technics has unveiled the new Grand Class Series, incorporating next-generation HiFi audio components that deliver uncompromising sound quality and a premium user experience.

Consisting of two HiFi audio devices--the SU-G30 Network Audio Amplifier and ST-G30 Music Server--the Grand Class Series has been designed to help deliver a professional-quality musical performance within the home. Using its decades of audio technology experience, Technics has combined reference-class digital technology, optimal circuitry and system configurations to create one of the most advanced HiFi systems available today.

SU-G30 Network Audio Amplifier: Reference-class audio, high-resolution sound
Inheriting Technics' reference-class audio technology concept from its R1 Series predecessor, the SU-G30's JENO Engine transmits and processes audio signals in full digital and with minimal jitter from the input stage to the power stage. The result is audio with the breathtaking clarity and distinct instrumentation that brings your favourite songs to life in the comfort of your home.

The SU-G30's GaN-FET Driver performs high-speed switching with minimal loss, resulting in audio that's authentic to the original recording. Meanwhile, the amplifier's LAPC conducts speaker load adaptive phase calibration to provide optimal performance tailored to whatever style of speakers you have connected. A low-distortion switching power supply has also been added to the SU-G30 in order to suppress frequency fluctuations caused by load shifting, and subsequently minimize the sound distortion.

Simplicity and performance realized by the most advanced digital technology
The SU-G30 features a built-in network playback circuit that has been meticulously engineered to remove jitter and unwanted background noise.

This is achieved by incorporating a highly efficient circuit structure. The amplifier transmits digital audio data through the shortest possible route from the music source all the way through to the power stage. The effect is extremely low levels of signal degradation and uncompromised sound quality. This minimalist approach to engineering is reflected in the unit's user interface and app operation, both of which represent a carefully balanced combination of elegant design and usability.

High-Quality Processing of All Types of Signal Sources
The SU-G30 Network Audio Amplifier supports a diverse variety of input sources, ranging from legacy, right through to the most advanced high-resolution audio formats (384-kHz/32-bit, DSD11.2 MHz).

Compatible with the likes of online music streaming services, Internet radio, digital audio (DLNA, USB, Bluetooth) and analog audio (Line, Phone), the SU-G30 digitally processes all types of signal source allowing you to enjoy all your favorites like you've never heard them before.

Music Server ST-G30: Network audio engineered for premium performance
HiFi-Grade Data Transmission
The ST-G30 is equipped with a Solid State Drive (SSD), which unlike a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) has no moving parts and remains completely silent. This is complimented by Digital Noise Isolation Architecture that reduces noise and jitter to the lowest possible levels, so you will only ever experience the sounds that you've chosen to listen to.

High-quality music data is transferred to the player via the Optimally Activated Circuit System, while Low Noise USB Transfer ensures stable USB output power to achieve extremely accurate data transfers. Whether you're listening to audio via your high-resolution audio library or streaming your favorite song straight from an online music service, you can be confident that it will never have sounded better.

Bit-Perfect CD Ripping
The internal CD drive is manufactured exclusively by Technics. It is enclosed in a silent shelter and rigidly mounted at the centre of the casing to minimize vibrations and noise, while also guaranteeing accurate reading of CD data.

The ST-G30 also allows you to rip your entire CD collection without compression, making your old music easier to access and enjoy and without having to worry about a loss in sound quality. What's more, Technics' Bit-Perfect Ripping technology readjusts read error characteristics, performs read retries, and carries out comparative verification to ensure that ripped copies are unaffected by minor imperfections on the CD and accurate to the original version.

Usability Optimized for Network Audio
The ST-G30 features a user interface that allows a variety of operations, such as creating a music library from a smartphone app, editing tags and tweaking settings. This provides simple operation and allows you to immerse yourself fully in your favourite music without having to access a laptop, tablet or PC.

SU-G30 Network Audio Amplifier: Specifications
Accurate Digital Technology
• JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization)
• GaN-FET Driver
• High-speed Silent Hybrid Power Supply
• LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration)
• Battery Driven Clock Generator
• High-Rigidity Metal Double Chassis

Noiseless Signal Technology
• Digital Noise Isolation Architecture
• Ultra-Low Distortion Oversampling Digital Filter
• High-Res Remaster - enhanced for compressed audio
• Optimally Activated Circuit System

Technics Definitive Design
• High-Rigidity Aluminum Cabinet
• Symmetric Structure

Output Power
• 100W+100W 4?
• 50W+50W 8?

Dimension & Weight
• W: 430mm H: 98.5 mm D: 424.5mm / Approx. 11.0 kg

Terminal
• Digital Coaxial Input x2 / Digital Optical Input x1 / Analog Line Pin input x1 / USB-A input / USB-B input /
• Phono(MM) input x1 / Ether Terminal / Headphone Output / WiFi abgn / Bluetooth(aptX, AAC, SBC) / AirPlay

Digital Input Format
• Digital Coaxial : PCM up to 192-kHz/24-bit
• Digital Optical : PCM up to 96-kHz/24-bit
• DLNA, USB-A : FLAC , WAV, AIFF, ALAC up to 192-kHz/24-bit
• AAC up to 96 kHz 320kbps
• MP3, WMA up to 48 kHz 320kbps
• DSD 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz
• USB-B : PCM up to 384-kHz/32-bit, DSD 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz with Asynchronous Transfer Mode

ST-G30 Music Server: Specifications
Noiseless Signal Technology
• Low Noise USB Transfer
• SSD
• Digital Noise Isolation Architecture
• Optimally Activated Circuit System
• Bit-Perfect Ripping
• Rigidly Mounted Sheltered Drive
• High-Rigidity Metal Double Chassis

Technics Definitive Design
• High-Rigidity Aluminum Cabinet
• Symmetric Structure

Dimension & Weight
• W:430mm H: 98.5mm D:388.5mm / Approx. 10 .5kg *Tentative

Terminal
• USB 3.0 x1 / USB 2.0 x1 / Ether terminal x1

Specification
• USB Audio Output: PCM up to 384-kHz/32-bit
• DSD 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz
• DLNA : FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC up to 192-kHz/24-bit
• DSD up to 11.2 MHz
• AAC up to 98 kHz 320kbps
• MP3, WMA up to 48 kHz 320 kbps
• Ripping format: FLAC/WAV encode
• Storage: 2.5-inch SATA SSD, replaceable

Additional Resources
Panasonic Brings Back the Technics Brand at HomeTheaterReview.com.
CES 2015 Show Report and Photo Slideshow at HomeTheaterReview.com.

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