Technics EPA-100
(1978 - 1982)

First of a successful line of LP record tonearms which sported -and still does- one of the lowest friction coefficients : less than 5mg.
Also 5-step variable dynamic damping, 0,5mm thick titanium nitride wand, twenty ±0,5µ roundness tolerance ruby ball bearings, zinc diecast base, adjustable VTA and - success !

Variable damping allows to tune and precisely match cartridge compliance for optimally damped resonance, lowering the Q factor. Denon used it first before all manufacturers went further with Biotracer tonearms and other electronica-filled systems. Same result in the end, even if the mechanical approach proves to remain much more stable throughout time...

Part of Technics' "R&B" series, the EPA-100 is an evolution of the research made on the SL-1200mkII ; it saw quite a few later versions which seem however less sought after.

Do click the green buttons below for detailed graphs - less talkative than the literature but just as clear !