Bluetooth turntables were inevitable. You’ve already seen Cambridge Audio, Pro-Ject, Andover Audio, and Audio-Technica roll out models that blend high-end vinyl playback with wireless convenience, and now Technics has finally thrown its hat in the ring. The SL-40CBT ($899.99 USD) brings the brand’s signature direct drive know-how—iron core-less motor, stable rotation, precise tracking—to a contemporary package designed for today’s vinyl enthusiasts, complete with a built-in phono stage and the convenience of Bluetooth streaming.
It’s Technics’ first serious foray into the modern wireless turntable market, and it shows they’re ready to play catch-up without sacrificing the engineering that made them iconic.
Bluetooth 5.0, Built-In MM Phono Stage, and MDF Chassis
Like the Technics SL-1500C, the new SL-40CBT features a built-in moving magnet phono stage, making it simple to connect the turntable to a wide range of hi-fi systems and active speakers without worrying about an external phono stage. While we haven’t yet compared the SL-40CBT’s phono stage to the more expensive SL-1500C, it should make getting high-quality vinyl playback straightforward and convenient.
For those of you who already own a turntable but want to stream your vinyl via Bluetooth to speakers or headphones, there’s a workaround. You can read our guide to making that happen right here.
The SL-40CBT’s phono stage is switchable, giving you flexibility to use an external high-quality preamp or the one built into your existing amplifier. It’s a small detail, but one that opens the door to upgrades down the line.
What’s genuinely new for Technics here is Bluetooth streaming. You can send your records wirelessly to compatible speakers or headphones, giving you more freedom in where you place your turntable without being tethered to your system.
The SL-40CBT supports SBC and aptX Adaptive, while the Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT uses BT 5.0 with aptX HD. Different codecs, different approaches—but both aim to make wireless vinyl listening possible.
Technics has ditched its traditional die-cast aluminium chassis in favor of a sleek, minimalist MDF body, now available in a trendy terracotta finish alongside light grey and charcoal black. The deck still features an aluminium platter, electronic speed control for 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, and stop/start plus Bluetooth pairing buttons on the deck.
It’s obvious Technics is chasing a broader audience, hoping to reel in new vinyl fans with this contemporary look. Whether it truly “delivers the same premium performance the brand is renowned for” remains to be seen.
Frank Balzuweit, European Technics product manager, puts it bluntly: “With the SL-40CBT, our focus is on music enthusiasts looking to begin their vinyl record journey that also wish for a premium quality product that fulfils high quality audio demands.”
As for the terracotta finish… well, we’re all for color in 2025, but for some die-hard Technics fans, this might be a bridge too far. We’re intrigued—but still on the fence.
The SL-40CBT sports a 1.26 kg die-cast aluminium platter with reinforced ribs and a directly mounted motor magnet. Newly tuned insulators help cut vibration and reduce howling, while the rubber hardness is optimized to push resonance out of the audible range.
The tonearm base is compact but keeps the classic S-shape, delivering high tracking performance thanks to micron-level precision engineering. The headshell is removable for cartridge swaps. Technics hasn’t released any more tech specs yet—we’ll update when we get them.
The Bottom Line
The SL-40CBT packs Technics’ signature direct drive know-how, a 1.26 kg die-cast platter, S-shaped tonearm, switchable MM phono stage, and Bluetooth streaming into a sleek, minimalist MDF body. The price reflects the switch from an aluminium chassis to MDF, which could affect the sound. Three finishes are available—light grey, charcoal black, and terracotta (honestly, that earthy tone is a bit much). Expect it in the U.S. by the end of September 2025.
For more information: us.technics.com