Is the Technics SP10R motor controller using a switching power supply

By the way, ddrive, using a step down doesn’t add any sockets or even require a new power cord. They come with a hard wired AC cord. You plug that in wherever you would plug in your TT. The cord from your TT then plugs into the 100V outlets on the transformer casing. I’m sure you know this, so I’m wondering why you’d phrase it the way you did. Most of all, to anyone with a vintage Japanese TT that requires 100V, don’t plug it in to a 120V outlet and hope for the best. Many were damaged that way back in the day.

I am a fan of the PS Audio regenerators and have no reason to believe the Monarchy is not also good. What I have found is that there is no telling in advance where they’re going to provide an audible improvement. My old PS300 failed and PS Audio doesn’t repair them any longer; instead they offer a favorable trade in. I then acquired their latest low output model( in terms of Watts). I’m using it to supply AC to my Sound Lab 845PXs, and it makes for a nice improvement in sonics. 
 

Ddrive, who upgraded your PS300? Can they do repairs as well?

In other words, the step down acts as an isolation transformer, protecting ancillary equipment from EMI that may emanate from the TT motor.

Wrm, sorry if that appeared harsh. Some who come here for advice will take that advice quite literally. Just wanted to clarify to the OP that he need not spend $600 in order to enjoy his new TT.

to others who seem to believe that using a step down is a compromise, I would point out that it may actually be advantageous. The transformer also isolates other equipment that shares the same AC line from noise that can be put on the AC by the TT motor. And I know of no reason to suggest that a properly sized step down could do any harm. Most of these TT s pull less than 25W. My step downs are rated for 50 or 100W. (I forget which.)

This is not a problem. Use an appropriate step down transformer that plugs into your house AC line, be it 120V or European. I have 3 different vintage Japanese turntables each happily running off a separate 120V to 100V step down transformer. Each step down transformer cost me not more than $50 or $60-ish. They’re to be found for sale on eBay. And that’s only if the SP10R is not already adaptable to 120V input (in the US) or whatever. My Victor TT101 was apparently sold originally via the US military and takes any of the standard voltages, apparently because of its switchable power transformer.

You sure do NOT need one of those $600 Monarchy things, which is probably a power regenerator, a la PS Audio, etc.