Technics has unveiled its latest turntable, the SL-40CBT Direct Drive, at IFA 2025 in Berlin. The new model is pitched as a high-style option for vinyl enthusiasts, bolstered by Technics proven engineering.
It retains key Technics hallmarks such as an iron-coreless direct drive motor and high-precision S-shaped aluminium tonearm, while introducing Bluetooth connectivity and a fresh, minimalist design.
With selling for £750, the SL-40CBT is likely to appeal to those looking to move beyond entry-level systems.
The SL-40CBT departs from a traditional die-cast aluminium chassis in favour of an MDF wood construction, finished in a choice of Terracotta (our favourite), Light Grey, or Charcoal Black.
The aesthetic perfectly matches the styling of Technics SC-CX700 wireless Hi-Fi speaker, which together make for a fully integrated music system.
It retains key Technics hallmarks such as an iron-coreless direct drive motor and high-precision S-shaped aluminium tonearm…
Plug-and-play performance with premium design
Under the hood, the turntable is equipped with a die-cast aluminium platter featuring reinforcing ribs and a directly mounted motor magnet for stable torque transmission.
Reworked vibration-resistant insulator feet help minimise resonance, allowing more flexibility in placement without compromising performance.
The deck arrives factory-fitted with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95C moving-magnet cartridge, trusted for its versatility and consistency. There’s also a built-in phono stage, allowing it to connect directly to amplifiers, or active speaker systems, without the need for a dedicated phono input.
Significantly, this is the first Technics deck to have Bluetooth functionality, simplifying installation and removing the need for untidy interconnects.
By balancing heritage engineering with convenience and style, we reckon Technics is onto a winner with the SL-40CBT. The pre-mounted cartridge, wireless flexibility, and classic direct drive motor are likely to make this a firm favourite with music fans.
While we didn’t get to hear it in action at IFA, we can certainly attest to its siren call.
The Technics SL-40CBT Direct Drive turntable will be available from September, priced at £750 ($899).
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Combining ravishing industrial design with advanced tube technology and vibration control, Swiss audio specialist Nagra’s newest preamplifier is aimed squarely at posh audiophiles for whom price is secondary to performance. Designed and built in Romanel-sur-Lausanne, the Preamp II-S is the first component in Nagra’s Series II range, positioned between the company’s Compact and HD lines.…
New Sony turntables are something of a rarity, so it’s with some excitement that we greet two new decks from the brand, the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT. Combining fully automatic operation with Bluetooth connectivity, they’re aimed at both newcomers to vinyl, and record collectors looking to upgrade their analogue game. In addition to one-button, fully automatic…
The Luxe Review 
Technics has unveiled its latest turntable, the SL-40CBT Direct Drive, at IFA 2025 in Berlin. The new model is pitched as a high-style option for vinyl enthusiasts, bolstered by Technics proven engineering.
It retains key Technics hallmarks such as an iron-coreless direct drive motor and high-precision S-shaped aluminium tonearm, while introducing Bluetooth connectivity and a fresh, minimalist design.
With selling for £750, the SL-40CBT is likely to appeal to those looking to move beyond entry-level systems.
The SL-40CBT departs from a traditional die-cast aluminium chassis in favour of an MDF wood construction, finished in a choice of Terracotta (our favourite), Light Grey, or Charcoal Black.
The aesthetic perfectly matches the styling of Technics SC-CX700 wireless Hi-Fi speaker, which together make for a fully integrated music system.
Plug-and-play performance with premium design
Under the hood, the turntable is equipped with a die-cast aluminium platter featuring reinforcing ribs and a directly mounted motor magnet for stable torque transmission.
Reworked vibration-resistant insulator feet help minimise resonance, allowing more flexibility in placement without compromising performance.
The deck arrives factory-fitted with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95C moving-magnet cartridge, trusted for its versatility and consistency. There’s also a built-in phono stage, allowing it to connect directly to amplifiers, or active speaker systems, without the need for a dedicated phono input.
Significantly, this is the first Technics deck to have Bluetooth functionality, simplifying installation and removing the need for untidy interconnects.
By balancing heritage engineering with convenience and style, we reckon Technics is onto a winner with the SL-40CBT. The pre-mounted cartridge, wireless flexibility, and classic direct drive motor are likely to make this a firm favourite with music fans.
While we didn’t get to hear it in action at IFA, we can certainly attest to its siren call.
The Technics SL-40CBT Direct Drive turntable will be available from September, priced at £750 ($899).
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UK Hi-Fi specialist Ruark has announced a limited-edition version of its flagship R810 radiogram, using marquetry and premium veneers, as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. The R810 occupies a particular niche in today’s audio landscape. Styled as a modern radiogram, it combines mid-century furniture design with contemporary streaming, high-resolution audio support and a wide…
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Combining ravishing industrial design with advanced tube technology and vibration control, Swiss audio specialist Nagra’s newest preamplifier is aimed squarely at posh audiophiles for whom price is secondary to performance. Designed and built in Romanel-sur-Lausanne, the Preamp II-S is the first component in Nagra’s Series II range, positioned between the company’s Compact and HD lines.…
Sony returns to vinyl with two new fully automatic Bluetooth turntables – here’s how they differ
New Sony turntables are something of a rarity, so it’s with some excitement that we greet two new decks from the brand, the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT. Combining fully automatic operation with Bluetooth connectivity, they’re aimed at both newcomers to vinyl, and record collectors looking to upgrade their analogue game. In addition to one-button, fully automatic…
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