Technics SE-R1 Amplifier - Holy Grail Technics Piece - Near NOS

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General:
The SE-R1 is an incredibly special amplifier from Technics.

This was the top of the range amplifier from the brand and MSRP on this beast was $16,999 when new!

The SE-R1 represented the best that Technics (or possibly anyone) could offer in digital amplification technology.

Standout features include circuitry to reduce jitter and noise, along with load adaptive phase calibration to improve overall speaker matching. And this is just scratching the surface on the technology. 

This amplifier must have the absolute largest meters we've ever seen on any Japanese piece.  They're truly spectacular in person, and will make this the centerpiece of your system in any room.

In our bench testing this surpassed its 150W per channel rating into an 8 ohm load. We played a variety of music and this was one the best sounding amplifiers we've heard with a class D output stage - if not the best.

We purchased this amplifier from another authorized Technics dealer that had it since new, and it has never been sold, hence its condition.  We believe it was used very sparingly if at all. 

This is the complete kit as it came from the factory. 

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
This amplifier has a few tiny cosmetic blemishes on the top and sides. Overall the unit looks almost new.

From Technics:
JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization)
Jitter is a major cause of distortion in digital systems, and is caused by mis-timing in the master clocks used in digital-to-analog conversion. To eliminate the degradation of sound caused by jitter, Technics has developed an original jitter reduction circuit, comprising a clock generator in the noise-shaping system to reduce jitter in the low-frequency range and a high-precision sample rate converter for suppressing jitter in the high-frequency range. Thus it reduces jitter in an ideal way over the entire frequency range.

This works with a newly-developed and original high-precision PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) conversion circuit, optimizing the noise-shaping speed, the degree and requantization number, and the PWM gradation, in order to convert high-resolution signals to PWM without causing any damage to the dynamic range. These new technologies enable new Technics digital amplifier designs to reproduce the natural and delicate nuances of music.

GaN-FET Driver (High-Speed and Low-Impedance Power Devices)
In the speaker-driving section of the amplifier, Technics has employed a high-speed GaN (gallium nitride) FET driver device with super-low resistance. This enables the construction of a high-power amp using a single push-pull configuration, allowing the length of the large current carrying signal path to be shortened, and resulting in outstanding linearity regardless of the sound level.

LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration)
The impedance of a speaker is not constant: it varies according to frequency, thus altering the loading on an amplifier and therefore potentially the sound. Technics is able to measure an amplifier's frequency amplitude-phase characteristics with speakers connected, and has developed a speaker impedance adaptive optimization algorithm using digital signal processing to achieve ideal impulse response. Correction processing based on a new algorithm achieves a flat frequency response for both amplitude and phase, not possible in conventional amps, and delivering a sound with rich spatial expression.

Technics Digital Link (Original Digital Signal Transmission)
Some systems use a digital link between source component and pre-amplifier, keeping the digital signal pure as long as possible: Technics Digital Link goes further. It has eliminated the volume control function from the pre-amplifier, and instead transmits the volume control information, together with the audio signal, directly to the power amplifier in digital form. The power amp's jitter reduction circuit reduces any effect of jitter in signal transmission, then performs the volume control immediately before the PWM converter. This new sound transmission interface, Technics Digital Link, supports audio signals and also eradicates inter-channel effects by transmitting the left and right channel signals separately. 

Technics Digital Link has achieved an ideal amplifier configuration, minimizing any degradation between the pre-amplifier and the power amp, and resulting in superb stereo separation and reproduction of even the most subtle signals. The result is a more detailed and dynamic sound.

Battery Driven Clock Generator
The best power supply for delicate circuitry such as the clock generator in the new amplifiers is one entirely isolated from any noise or fluctuations in the mains supply. Technics has extensive experience in circuits using battery isolation, having used them to create ultra-low-noise pre-amplifier stages in past analog amplifiers.

High-speed Silent Linear Power Supply
The accurate reproduction of everything from dynamic and powerful sounds to the low-level signals expressing delicate nuances requires a special power supply in an amplifier. It needs to be both powerful and low-noise, as well as capable of responding instantly to a continuously changing audio signal without any voltage fluctuation. The power supply circuit of an ordinary amp consists of a large-capacity power transformer and a rectifier circuit: after examining ways to achieve ideal voltage and current waveforms, Technics decided to use a choke-input
rectification, plus a discrete stabilized power supply circuit. These technologies incorporated in the power supply circuit enable the amp to drive the speakers powerfully under any conditions.

Single Path Minimization
The length of the signal path is kept as short as possible to improve the signal to noise ratio, reduce potential sources of distortion and interference, and give the most direct communication of the music.

Dual Mono Construction
The main amplifier layout separates the left and right channel signal paths completely, all the way back to the secondary winding on the power transformer, to prevent mutual interference and also achieve an ideal weight balance. This design gives optimal stereo separation, and also allows the two channels to be laid out in ‘mirror image’,
giving equal signal-path lengths for each channel

High Rigidity Metal Double Chassis
To support heavy parts and components and lower the center of gravity for improved stability, the inner chassis of the SE-R1 is made of 3-mm-thick plate, but the amplifier uses a huge, and very heavy, mains transformer: to support this better and reduce vibration, columns of die-cast aluminum are arranged at appropriate intervals between the bottom inner chassis and outer chassis. The external casing is made of a 7-mm-thick aluminum
plate to resist the effect of electromagnetic noise.

High-Quality Parts
Large, newly designed speaker terminals enable the connection of thick cables, and even the screws are high precision to ensure they remain tight, giving a firm and reliable cable connection. The insulators are cast iron for high rigidity and an excellent damping effect: this reduces both susceptibility to vibration, and the transmission of any vibration to external devices.

Brand Background:
At Technics we understand that the listening experience is not purely about technology but the magical and emotional relationship between people and music. We want people to experience music as it was originally intended and enable them to feel the emotional impact that enthuses and delights them. With a combination of our love of music and the vast high-end audio experience of the Technics team, we stand committed to building a brand that provides the ultimate emotive musical experience by music lovers, for music lovers.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA and XLR inputs, Technics Digital Ethernet Inputs

General Sound:
Neutral sound with little to no coloration

Cosmetic Condition:
9/10 = Excellent. Perfect physical condition, gently used. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, Box, Manual

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Reviews:
Click Here

Specs:
Accurate Digital Technology

JENO Engine(Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization)

GaN-FET Driver

LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration)

Technics Digital Link

High-speed Silent Linear Power Supply

Battery Driven Clock Generator

Dual Mono Construction

High Rigidity Metal Double Chassis

Technics Definitive Design

Aluminium plain miter joint

White LED illuminated large level meter

Symmetric structure

Output Power
150 W + 150 W (1 kHz, T.H.D. 0.5%, 8 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)
300 W + 300 W (1 kHz, T.H.D. 0.5%, 4 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)

Input Sensitivity / Input Impedance
UNBALANCED 1.2 V / 47 kΩ, BALANCED 1.2 V / 47 kΩ

Frequency Response
1 Hz - 90 kHz (-3 dB, 8 Ω)

THD+N
0.05% (1 kHz, 75 W, 8 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)

Load Impedance
A or B, Bi-wiring: 4-16 Ω, A + B: 8-16 Ω

Analog Input Terminal
UNBALANCED x 1, BALANCED x 1

Digital Input Terminal
Technics Digital Link x 1

Power Supply
AC120 V, 60 Hz

Power consumption
250 W

Dimensions (W x H x D)
480 x 241 x 567 mm
18-7/8 x 9-15/32 x 22-11/32 inch

Weight
Approx. 54 kg
Approx.119 lbs

Accessories
AC cords, Owner's manual

Dimensions:
W x H x D: 18.90” × 9.49” × 22.32” (480 x 241 x 567mm)

Weight:
119 lbs.

Approximate Age:
2014

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better

Kimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best

Kimber Summit Series BiFocal XL Bi-Wire Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best If Applicable

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

If the amplifier passes visual inspection, we move on to a controlled power on sequence using a Sencore safety analyzer to monitor current draw in real time. Once the amplifier is determined to be safe to operate, we connect it to full AC mains for function and power testing. We connect the speaker outputs of the amplifier to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1 KHz test signal at the amplifier's input and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping.

At this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. If the device under test has both balanced and single ended inputs they are both tested at this time.

We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1 KHz square wave check and a 20 Hz to 20 KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier's frequency response characteristics.

This battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.

Before the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.

If the unit passes all of these tests it is moved to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours minimum. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.