A turntable for record listening and wireless playback
- Amazon price
- $699.99
- Customer rating
- 4.4
- Customer reviews
- 120
- Typical price over 90 days
- $769.58
- Difference
- $69.59 (9 percent)
If you want to play records without assembling a separate phono stage and cartridge, the Technics Turntable SL-40CBT-H arrives ready for that routine. It includes an Audio Technica AT-VM95C cartridge, along with a phono EQ built in and calibrated to match that cartridge, so the signal path from record to speakers is shorter than on a typical entry-level deck.
The coreless direct drive motor, inherited from the SL-1500C, is meant to keep vibration low and speed stable. For listening at home, that matters most on long playing sides where pitch drift or motor noise can pull you out of the music.
At $699.99, this is a considered purchase rather than a budget entry. We'd consider it for a listener who wants a low-maintenance direct drive deck and values the option of wireless playback. We'd skip it if you already own a turntable with a cartridge you like and don't need Bluetooth or a built-in phono stage.
How you connect and what controls the sound
The SL-40CBT-H supports both wired and wireless connections. Use the built-in phono EQ when connecting to a line-level input on powered speakers or an amplifier without a phono stage, or switch it off if you prefer your own external phono preamp. Bluetooth 40CBT lets you send audio wirelessly to a compatible speaker or headphones.
A wired connection remains the most direct path from the tonearm to your speakers, so we recommend using the phono output when you want the shortest signal chain. Bluetooth is the practical choice when running cables across the room isn't possible.
Before buying, check that your amplifier or powered speakers have the right input for your chosen connection. If you plan to use Bluetooth, confirm your speaker or headphones support the codec you want, since the listing doesn't name specific Bluetooth codecs.
Where this deck fits and when to pass
The compact footprint of 16.9 by 5.0 inches helps this turntable fit on a shelf or media console where a full-size deck might not. Technics pairs an S-shaped aluminum arm with a micron-precision base, construction that suits a dedicated listening spot rather than a temporary setup.
This SL-40CBT-H comes in Grey, and the model is also offered in Terracotta Brown and Black. If it will sit near a Technics SC-CX700 speaker system, the finish options are meant to complement that pairing.
At $699.99, that's $69.59 below the typical price over the last 90 days and the lowest price we've seen for this model across all-time tracking, so this is a reasonable moment to buy if the feature set matches your setup. Before you order, measure the space you have for the dustcover to open and decide whether you'll use the built-in phono EQ or an external one, since that choice affects which input you need.
The SL-40CBT-H includes a built-in phono EQ, so you can connect to line-level inputs on powered speakers or an amp without a separate phono stage.
A 4.4-star rating from 120 reviews suggests most buyers are satisfied, but check the return policy if you can't hear it first.
If you already own a turntable you're happy with, the Bluetooth and included cartridge may not justify the $699.99 price.
Spec sheet
| Model | SL-40CBT-H |
|---|---|
| Color | Grey |
