Technics SL-100C
Hi-fi turntables · 2021–present In production
£799 UK RRP
The most affordable modern Technics: the coreless direct-drive motor from the SL-1500C in a simpler package, with a factory-fitted cartridge and auto-lifter.
Puts Technics' flagship-derived coreless direct drive within reach of ordinary budgets.
Model history: The SL-100C is a more affordable successor to the SL-1500C, priced about $100/£100 less. To hit that price it drops the SL-1500C's built-in, switchable phono preamp and swaps its Ortofon 2M Red cartridge for an Audio-Technica AT-VM95C, while keeping the same core direct-drive design.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: a first serious turntable for an existing or planned amp-and-speakers setup. Less ideal for: plugging straight into passive speakers with no amp — check the built-in phono stage row above, and note most hi-fi decks still need external amplification.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
Specifications
| Drive | direct drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45/78 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | Audio-Technica (fitted) |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | aluminium die-cast |
| Tonearm | aluminium S-shape |
| Wow & flutter | 0.025% WRMS |
| Years | 2021–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its direct-drive mechanism is shared by 18% of current models in the database (29 of 159). On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 58% of priced hi-fi decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Technics SL-100C…
Retailer searches
12 UK merchants stock Technics — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Affair | hifi independent | Free UK delivery over £50 | Search at Audio Affair ↗ |
| Audio T | hifi chain | Free UK delivery on most items; in-store demos | Search at Audio T ↗ |
| Criterion Audio | hifi independent | UK delivery; Cambridge demo rooms | Search at Criterion Audio ↗ |
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Fanthorpes HiFi | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most hi-fi | Search at Fanthorpes HiFi ↗ |
| Grahams Hi-Fi | hifi independent | UK delivery; London demo rooms | Search at Grahams Hi-Fi ↗ |
| Hi-Fi Corner | hifi independent | UK delivery; Edinburgh & Falkirk stores | Search at Hi-Fi Corner ↗ |
| Juno Records | dj music gear | Worldwide shipping; UK next-day options | Search at Juno Records ↗ |
| Peter Tyson | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most hi-fi; competitive pricing | Search at Peter Tyson ↗ |
| Richer Sounds | hifi chain | Free UK delivery on most orders; click & collect from stores | Search at Richer Sounds ↗ |
| Sevenoaks Sound & Vision | hifi chain | Free UK delivery over £100; in-store demonstration and setup | Search at Sevenoaks Sound & Vision ↗ |
| Superfi | hifi independent | Free UK delivery over £50 | Search at Superfi ↗ |
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