A compact, well featured just-add-speakers system that shines
All-in-one system | £899 | whf.cm/SA-C600
Technics is on a great run at the moment. The brand had a bit of a rocky start when it was reintroduced into the market in 2014, but since then has quickly found its feet. Over recent years we have reviewed a fair number of the company’s products and they have invariably been solid and talented performers. Not all have been class leaders, of course, but more often than not Technics hits gold – as it has with the SA-C600 system we have on test here.
We call it a system, but you still need to add a pair of speakers. Consider the likes of Dali’s Oberon 1 standmounters (£399) a good starting point, but the SA-C600 has enough ability to justify going as high as KEF’s mighty LS50 Metas (£999). Fortunately, we have a pair of KEFs on hand for this test and use them alongside our usual reference speakers, the ATC SCM50.
The SA-C600 really is a well-equipped unit. Technics has seen fit to include a CD player alongside the more usual network streaming capabilities with up to 32-bit/384kHz file compatibility. There is support for Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer and Amazon Music, as well as DAB/DAB+ and FM radio. You also have a choice of Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay 2 as well as a raft of physical analogue (stereo RCA) and digital connections (USB Type A and B, coaxial and optical). There is also a moving-magnet phono stage, which makes sense given the brand’s strong connection to record-player manufacturing.
Easy operation
That is a pretty comprehensive list that seems at odds with the SA-C600’s simple yet elegant appearance. Yet it remains easy to use thanks to a nice, sensibly laid-out remote handset and a well-conceived app that makes setting up the unit a breeze. It’s a good job the dedicated app is so well designed because relying solely on the handset and the large but simple front-panel display to work through the various parameters proves pretty clunky.
There is substance behind the classy aesthetics too, with the casework feeling solid and neatly finished. The SA-C600’s aluminium top panel is a pleasing touch, though most of the chassis is made of robust-feeling plastic that does the job but also reflects the price point. We like the tactility of the swiveling transparent CD cover on the top; it is made of toughened acrylic and feels good to use.
So, the Technics SA-C600 is generously featured, nice to use and built well. The final part, arguably the most difficult one, is to sound good.
Here it passes with flying colours. While it is tempting to go through each s
