The Technics SL-1200GR2 is a high-quality turntable designed for vinyl enthusiasts, offering stable playback and vibration isolation. The Bluesound NODE (N130) is a versatile streamer that provides access to various streaming services and offers extensive connectivity options. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes vinyl playback or digital streaming.
| Attribute | Technics SL-1200GR2 Turntable | Bluesound NODE (N130) |
|---|---|---|
| Turntable Type | Direct Drive | Not a turntable - wireless multi-room hi-res music streamer |
| Connectivity | RCA stereo outputs with gold-plated phono terminals for detachable cables, ground terminal | RCA analog output, TOSLINK optical, coaxial digital outputs, Dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, HDMI eARC, USB (Type A) for external storage |
| Phono Preamp | No built-in phono preamp | No built-in phono preamp |
| Supported Audio Formats | Vinyl (33-1/3, 45, and 78 rpm) | MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, ALAC, OPUS, FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS, DSD Playback |
| Streaming Capabilities | No built-in wireless streaming | AirPlay 2, aptX HD Bluetooth (two-way), Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, integrates with many music services |
| DAC Quality | Not applicable | Audiophile-grade DAC design, 24-bit/192 kHz audio processing, MQA decoding, Texas Instruments PCM5242 32-bit/384kHz DAC |
| Build Quality and Materials | Two-layer chassis made of die-cast aluminum and Bulk Molding Compound (BMC), Aluminum diecast platter damped with rubber, High-damping silicon insulators | Decent build quality, plastic, matte satin finish (black or white) |
| Tonearm Design and Adjustability | S-shaped tonearm, Static balance type, Adjustable height | Not applicable |
| Motor Stability and Accuracy (Wow & Flutter) | Wow and Flutter: 0.025% W.R.M.S. | Not applicable |
| Ease of Use and Setup | Generally considered easy to set up | Easy setup using the BluOS app |
| Compatibility with External Devices | Compatible with amplifiers and speakers via RCA outputs | Stereo amplifiers, AV receivers, powered speakers, wired and wireless headphones, subwoofers, external DACs via USB |
| Software and App Support | Not applicable | BluOS Controller app for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC, voice control via Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, integration with smart home systems like Lutron, Elan, RTI, and Crestron |
| Natively Supported Streaming Services | Not applicable | Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music and hundreds of internet radio stations |
| Price | Not available | Not available |