My Technics SL1200 18 months later - last turntable I will ever need
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- I've lived with my Technics SL 1200 MK2 for 18 months and wanted to report back on my thoughts. In this video, I also answer common questions I get about this turntable. Links below.
#Technics #SL1200 #HiFi
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A huge misconception is that the SL1200 was designed for the DJ marked. Technics initially designed it for the high end hifi market. DJ's picked up on them due to their high torque and fast spin up speed. And that is when the SL1200 concurred the DJ marked for many many years. Anyway, I still have my SL1210 MKII as well. I did buy an SL1200G recently though. It is my way of saying thank you to Panasonic to bring back this iconic turntable. I did sign the letter that was send to Panasonic back in 2010 asking to continue the production. This letter was signed by more than 10000 fans; I was one of them.
@@defcreator187 Yes, after DJ's picked up on them. As I said, this is a huge misconception people have about this iconic turntable.
@@defcreator187 Pascal is right
@@defcreator187 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200
@@defcreator187 I think the broadcast turntables used at radio stations more often were the 1200's cousins, the SP-15 and SP-25. I have one of each and they are tanks. I also spin an SL-1500 MKII, another DD similar to the 1200. I bought the 1500 at a thrift for @25.00. It had no cart and a few cosmetic issues, but other than that it was a solid deck. At home I did a thorough inspection and cleaning and put it in my office next to the SPs.
The 1200 mkii was developed to build on the unintended application of the mki in pro DJ use. The mki is in many ways a scaled down sl1100 which itself derived from the original sp10 - same motor on all 3 I think. The mkii is a brilliant piece of work and the features such as instant start/stop, pitch slider, cuing light and exceptional damping are clear indicators of it’s pro design pedigree. It can make a great hifi deck, but may need careful cartridge choice given the arm is designed for low compliance heavy trackers for club use.
Technics also supplied tables without a fitted tonearm as denoted by the lack of the last zero in the model no - ie sl110/1100. There was indeed an sl120 mkii which could be construed as a hifi deck when paired up with an SME arm or similar. These must be rare as I’ve never seen one.
The technics is the workhorse of turntables.....you can never go wrong with a vintage technics...😁👍
You absolutely can go wrong.
They almost all have been (ab)used by many DJ's, who typically didn't treat them as delicate HiFi equipment, and did things like max out the Tonearm angle, applied huge weight to the tonearms etc. Many tonearms on decks in the used market have taken a nasty hit at some point either from being in a house party / club environment, or simply just the sheer amount of transport these things see when they belong to a DJ.
This is a big deal, because the bearings in the Tonearm gimble in the 1200 & 1210 MK2 are EXTREMELY fragile, and the market is flooded with damaged 1200 & 1210's... To the point it seems it is actually rarer to find one that ISN'T damaged. DJ's would never notice this, as they slap so much weight on the stylus, the thing digs itself into the record so hard, and they still sell them as fully working perfect condition decks. Unfortunately, if you are trying to carefully listen to a record on a HiFi setup and use a relatively light tracking force, those broken gimble bearings are a complete nightmare. They are a very expensive and tricky fix, and even buying another used tonearm on ebay, there's a high chance THAT tonearm also has damaged bearings (speaking from personal experience on that).
People should be very careful when buying a used 1200 or 1210 for HiFi use. Never buy one online without a written guarantee from the seller that the tonearm is balanced/stable and doesn't move by itself when the anti-skate is set to zero.
18 months later, how about 18 years later over here, YES! It is the BEST 🙌
I bought a SL1200MK4 from Japan. This model was only available in Japan. This was considered the first audiophile SL1200. It has a Titanium tone arm, removable RCA cables and a 78 speed selector.
You are definately cooler than everybody else.
@@PoppinWheeliez You too!!
That is a dope turntable it play 78 too I'm looking for one oh do a trade 👍😎 original technics 1200
why, do audiophiles today only work with average quality turntables,what about the top models from technics like the SP´s or SL-1000 ,SL-1000mkII and SL-1100, regards
the mk4 and the LTD's in good shape in the US are unicorns
Bought a Technics a few months ago to replace my dead Clearaudio Concept and I was so impressed with the simplicity of the setup and adjustments and it sounds great. I absolutely love it.
I used 2 of the Technics 1200s in the 90s when I did weddings and parties. They are built like tanks. Still have them set up at home. Love them. Mine are silver but the black model looks sharp. Great video Frank.
I accumulated 3 1200's and I don't see ever getting another turntable as long as these continue working. They are everything I look for in a turntable.
The 1200 is the greatest moment in turntable history. Thank you for the excellent video
I would think, just for conversation sake, that electrification , or developing flat recordings for easier storage , might also be significant developments.
Hey Frank, I agree with you totally! I've had my 1200MKII for well over 10 years, and I absolutely love it! It is and always will be my main table. It is built like a tank, and sounds fantastic in my personal opinion. I have an Audio Technica AT-150MLX cartridge and stylus on it and it really pulls the frequencies out of the grooves. I can't say enough about SL1200 tables, they sound great and are built to last!
Cheers
I have been using a SL1200MK7 for about seven months and I absolutely love it. It will be the only home turntable I’ll use. 👍🏻
I've been running my SL-1600 since I got it in 1979 as a graduation present. Other than the tone-arm damper it still works like a charm.
I’ve just bought a pair of 1210MK2 decks. We’re a right state. I’ve refurbished them both with all genuine parts and stripped them completely. They are now looking amazing and as new as you can get these days. Good video. Thanks from the uk 🇬🇧
I love my two 1210s ( I’m in the uk). Love the build quality and the tone arm is perfectly fine for me and I love the actual look of it. Mine are fitted with Audio Technica VM95e cartridges which I’m soon upgrading to VM95ML It’s a classic design which has been emulated but never equalled in my opinion.
I've had mine since 2002 and it's certainly the best turntable I've ever owned.
Often imitated, never duplicated. Congratulations! I'm on my second pair (mk5s) but my old mk2s are still in use down the street from me, that pair is over 30 years old now. I used to have a pair of Stanton 680s which is the same body as that Pickering and I still regret selling them. I used them for DJing with a conical stylus and they sounded so sweet.
I bought mine SL-1200MK2 back in 1998, they are still working to this very day. These things go a life time for sure.
Love my SL1200MK-2, Decoded it to 1984 and currently running it with a 2M Blue and some vintage gear ( Sansui 7070 / ADS L810's ).. Sounds great to me and wouldnt trade it for the world!
I bought a Technics 1500c turntable last year. Very happy with it
I am a proud owner of a silver sl1200 since 1995!! And yes I still use it and it is my favorite no matter what. This thing is solid and sounds really really good. I use an ortofon red but I think i will upgrade it to ortofon blue
Nice turntable Frank. The main thing is that your happy with it. Upgrades can be done, but if you are fine with it, there is no need to change. The trouble with Audiophiles is the snobbery that can raise its head. I love hifi, but am not a snob about it.
Keep on spinning and enjoying your music.
I read about taking that medical rubber tubing (the type they put around your arm when taking blood) and cutting it up the middle long ways and putting it around the tone arm tube to dampen it.
They're amazing. I bought 2 to DJ with in the early 00's I still have them, the only tables I've ever owned
I own an SL-1200G.
While the SL-1200MK2 is built like a tank, the SL-1200G is built like tank destroyer - even more solid.
It has RCA plugs on the back, modernized motor, brass platter and a magnesium tonearm.
Highly recommended.
I have the little brother 1200 GR.
i think i´ll not buy that ,throw your SL-1200 from a balcony ,the G model , like a second floor than go and get it and than tell me how it works i made that already very drunk and high and when in the next day i went to the balcony after having a cofee mug i went outside to catch fresh air and saw a turntable in the midle of the street , i was not remenbering well the night before but i went to get it and either than having the cover broke everything else was perfect so i already saw the G but it´s not as well built as the 79 mkII, as everything else in this world
@@RUfromthe40s I used to own a pair of MK2's.
Had an M5G and MK4 later on.
MK4 was by far the best in the original 1200 lineup IMO.
But in my comparisons the 1200G was better with quite a margin.
Used, tested and opened all of them.
I currently have an MK7 in my secondary system, which is actually a downgrade from an MK2, in terms of tonearm lift and how solid the plinth is... especially the tonearm lift of the MK7 is very flimsy.
Bearing quality is better though.
@udio You must live in Japan ?
We didn't get a Mk4 here in the UK.
I have owned every model in the SL1200 range, and personally, the best version I thought, was the M3D. Better than the Mk5 for me, and I traded them for a brand new pair of Mk5, regretted it ever since.
@@DjNikGnashersNah I imported an MK4 and swapped out the transformer with a multi-voltage one; it was basically a drop-in replacement.
I'm from the Netherlands btw.
I totally agree. I own a SL-1200MK2 my father bought in December 1981 that I am using since December 2011: it is such a great satisfaction!
When I was stationed in S. Korea '77-'79 my first turntable was an Technics SL1200 in silver. Since lost amongst my many travels and adventures. I'd give anything to have it back.
I love my SL-1210mk2, it's sounds fantastic. I did yearn for auto return though. So I bought a SL-1700mk2 as it has the same platter, motor, arm, target light as an SL-1210mk2 but also has the added auto return.
Morning Frank! So I recently watched this video and I wanted to say that I recently jumped back on the vinyl train anout six months ago. Got my daughter staryed about 5years ago and she loves collecting vinyl! So Ive been a dj since the early 80-s and I started out on a pair of Technics 1200 MKII’s. I just bought a used 1200 mk 5 and restored it. Bought an Ortofon 2M Black and mounted it on antechnics headshell. I must say after my first 10 hours of listening to this turntable/cartridge combo, that I am blown away! It sounds fantastic! Love your channel. Keepmit up and say hello to the fam!
Very cool. Welcome back to the world of vinyl.
Love my 1210gr. It absolutely mogs my old Planar 3 in every regard.
I have my 1210 Mk2 that I bought new 35 years ago…it’s still working perfectly it was purchased as a hi-fi deck.
I had a different early '80s model Technics.....with the strobe and variable pitch....I loved it and miss it!
Frank- I actually bought this same turntable (silver) a year or so ago partially due to one of your vids! I’m pretty happy with it. I used your link for the year manufactured, July 1995!
Had my pair for 20 years now. Still going strong and they were used when I bought them.
I had a pair of those exact black 1200s and sold them a few years ago unfortunately. Today i am blessed to have found a super clean, all original pair of silver 1200 mk2s! 🪬 Cool video
Great video! I also have this exact model and color which I purchased new in 2007 from one of the wholesale dealers I used when I had my record store. I owned and operated my record store for almost 20 years, best job I ever had! Looks like my SL-1200 Mk2 was made in 2006 (thanks for that link!) and cost me about $355 as I recall. I agree totally with your assessment and wish it wasn't hard-wired but have no desire to change any of that. I use an Audio-Technica AT 440MLb and track at 1.57 grams. I have no desire to replace it.
Great video I also love your set up with your stero .
Good choice. The SL 1200 is a great turntable. I went with the SL1900 for the full automatic option myself. It was built in 1978 and with proper care it works as well today as when it was new.It's hard to go wrong with Technics. Keep on spinnin'.
very helpful comment, now I will look to get a 1900 much prefer automatic
Mr. brian stewart see, there are home turntables in Technics
One of the biggest differences between the 1200 and the 1900, setting aside the fact that the 1900 is a fully automatic with repeat functions and disc size selection, is that the SL-1200 turntable motor from MK2 and onwards is quartz locked while that of the SL-1900 is FG servo, though of a higher quality design compared to other frequency generated servo systems. The turntable motor of the 1900 has adequate torque, but it doesn't have near as much as the 1200. But, to be fair, the 1900 doesn't need that much torque.
The turntable of the 1900 still spins smooth and steady; just make sure the speed selector switch and the pitch control potentiometers are clean; those are common points of malfunction with the 1900.
The plinth on the 1900 is also not near as solid as the 1200, being made of composite rather than aluminum. There is also not as much dampening of the plinth on the 1900 as there is on the 1200.
The 1900 omits the tonearm height adjustment that the 1200 has.
The 1200 was supposed to be a midrange-to-high end product while the 1900 was an entry level offering. The 1900 is simply not built to the same standard of quality. That said, the 1900 is still a very capable performer and holds it own very well against equally featured turntables from Pioneer and Sony. And, as usual with many Technics turntables, the 1900 is very reliable.
With regard to reliability, I'd take a 1900 over most Sansui tables any day.
@@Watcher3223What do you think about the fully Automatic SL1600 and 1650 changer ?? I like the 1200 but I'm looking for a automatic Direct drive.
@@kingofuseddurablecars.ls6040 I would say that a Technics direct drive tends to almost always be a safe choice when in good condition.
Of course, things to look out for would be the potentiometers on the pitch controls. Dirty contacts can cause problems.
I have a mk 2 born in Oct 1980. Still rockin!
Great vid Frank. Awesome that you got your dream table!
Epic flavor saver, Scott ian
Congrats! I spin three Technics, each primarily dedicated to a format or type. I use my SL-1500 MKII for stereo, usually with a Stanton 681EEE, though I have Shure, Grado and AT carts. I use my SP-25 to play pre stereo cutting head mono LPs and 45s. I us the AT Mono3/LP with it, it is a true mono cart. I play my 78s with the SP-15. It is normally fitted with the 78 version of the AT Mono 3. When playing vertical cut 78s, I switch to a stereo 78 cart. Since I usually do digital restoration, I invert the signal in software. Years of searching and careful buying allowed me to pick up all three for less than $1,000.
Happy spinning!
Great video. I myself own a technics 1200 mk2 black and a 1210 mk2 black side by side. Both manufactured early 2000. Love them best turntables in my opinion!
Have had my SL-1210 M3D and the new 1200GR and have been very, very happy with it. Got the 78rpm mod from KAB for my M3D and it has everything I need.
I've got the SL-1200 MK3D also. Bought it used from Japan back in 2019 for around $500 usd and it works terrific.
They only prob I have is the dustcover isn't attached. I just prefer it that way. I've read that it's quite a job to be able to attach it though and I'm not a mechanic in any sense of the word.
But oh well, I feel blessed to have this TT at all with the original dust cover. It's a tank!
Great video Frank! Always nice to see our beloved 1200s gettin some love. You have found your “end game” TT! They are the absolute best decks ever IMO. I’ve had a few over the years (4 MK2s, an M3D, & a MK5) of which, my first one, a MKll that I bought brand new in ‘82/83 is still my favorite. Although it still works great, I kinda semi-retired it so it’ll last another 40 years. For everyday use I’m using a Pioneer PLX1000 until I can one day afford a new 1200G. As for cartridges, I’ve been using the Ortofon 2M Bronze on both the MKll & the PLX and lovin it. Lookin to try a Nagaoka next. Btw, thx to you I’m now a VInyl Storage Solutions loyalist as well.
Lastly, down here in San Francisco, we say “Tech-Neeks”
always have, always will.
Take care and keep on spinnin Frank.
You know, it's so funny... I almost always say Tech-neeks... then when I recorded this video I blurted out Tech-niks. LOL. I have no idea why. glad you dig VSS!
Pioneer 1000 is a good turntable too not the wheel of steel but is close to it just simple a good torn arm for DJ scratch I got it too but to listen to my collection I tried them by scratching n they are great but for now I'm using it to listen to my collection I have 4 pair of technics silver since 89 working like a champ I throw a lot of party n is a champ 👍😎
i use the nagaoka MP-300 but recentelly i tried the Grado gold prestige III and it reproduces with great sound quality the records ,i even dare to say that being cheaper they may sound better than the Ortofon Black this in technics turntables wich i own several from the 70´s and also some pioneers and three thorens ,that they sound perfect and i tried several more modern turntables from several brands since early 90´s and i didn´t found one that could be better to the point of buying them because they sounded better than the ones i already own, regards
Nice review, have an SL1210MK2 for probably 20 years now. It has PC next to the serial. Still in excellent condition, just upgraded the stock needle to an Ortophon Concord Mix (temporarily) and a Bellari VP130 MK2 phono tube preamp, which I highly recommend. Sounds noticeably better, much warmer, organic than the mixer I had before.
I have the exact same model and color. It’s what got me back into listening to and collecting vinyl. I won it on an eBay bid I didn’t think I would win because I didn’t think it would be the winning bid before I went to bed only to awaken finding it was mine. Then I worried that it wouldn’t work. But it came with a travel case and the shipping was free. I believe the price I paid was $470.00 US.
I love it.
Great turntable, great deal!
@@Channel33RPM indeed and thanks. I use an Ortofon blue, and a Grado mono cartridge.
Excellent video on the Technics turntable you have! I have the same model with a AT-VMN95ML stylus (micro line). Based on the above website at 6:10, my TT was made in January 1998.
I finally got an Email that the 1210gr was in stock a few months ago. My third Technics over the years and probably my last table. Congrats on yours. The direct drive motor beats the heck out of a rubber band table.
I acquired my SL1200 Mk2 since January, 2020, after about a year of looking. The seller had digitized his record collection and didn’t need a turntable any longer. It was made in 2007 and is in excellent condition. I use a Nagaoka MP110 and a Shure M97xE on this turntable. I also have a Denon DP-45F with a Denon DL-110 cartridge. Both turntables are solid performers and I constantly switch between them.
nice one, I am a SL1210mk2 user for a long long time, its the endgame turntable for me too, and I've been through them all, Garrard 301, 401, TD124, L75, SP10, SP15 and even the SP10mk2. I've come full circle and stopped at the 1210mk2. I also use a SL3200 for late night listening as its auto-return helps if I fall asleep. Couldn't have been happier with my SL1210mk2.
That was a good and honest review, love it!!
Glad you liked it!
I just set up my new sl1500c and hope I will be singing the same tune. So far Im really happy with it. The built-in computer is essential for setting the arm lift posittion.
Same. Found a nice one last year and that's it for me.
There is so much to love about this timeless classic I was spinning discs on a pair of these in the late 80s when CDs were an expensive technology. Your right resale will be more then what you paid for them. And parts are very easy to obtain. There are a lot of other things but I'm sure others will add to the debate. Only let down no balanced audio outputs. The two Stanton t.62 turntables I own I have used a DI box between the turntable and mixer to get a balanced output which seems to work if you ever need to do this it's worth doing. As far as I remember the sl1200 will need a preamp... and it's possible to spend silly money on these things but you get what you pay for. As ever great video enjoy your new turntable. To be honest I'd feel like I'm missing something only having one but then I'm not a mixer dj.
Glad you are enjoying it. I’m glad I bought mine back used around 2013. I would be paying much more now.
My two 1200 MK2 blacks are going strong to this day... I too bought them in Canada in 1991... rock solid
Yes. You probably have the last TT you will ever need. Believe it or not, your tone arm is state of the art. Why would you think that many different current clones and the re-introduced SL-1200's still have it? My 1948 Capehart flip-over record changer has a tubular "J" style tone arm with the first modern magnetic GE-VR cartridge. Many audiophile TT's over the years, like Empire, had tubular "J" or "S" style tone arms. We learned back in my radio station days that tubular, bent tone arms were the best of the best. My old QRK commercial radio station TT has a tubular "J" style tone arm.
I find it funny that modern turntable manufacturers choose to make "Frankenstein" looking TT's but don't take advantage of lessons learned from history. Pro-Ject has been catching on. There is nothing more cheap-o to me than a TT with an external belt drive with a straight shaft tone arm. The best BD TT's have a drive sub-platter with the main platter on top.
If you check, I believe that your Pickering has a higher output than most magnetic carts. Your cart may share it's body with Stanton.
Glad to see you are catching up and learning from hands-on experience. Some people and TT manufacturers will never learn.
Hi Frank, I'm a huge Technics Fan I had 3 TTs. SL-D2, semi automatic. SL-1300MK1 fully automatic which I recently sold and an imported MK3 from Japan. Black, Gold RCA cables, everything the same as the MK2 I have to use a step up transformer (we use 120v) Japan 100v. No big deal, but phenomenal sound. You're right, bottom end is great. Had it for over 2 years now. Try the Goldring E3. Awesome Cart, you won't be disappointed.
I upgraded from my 1200 MK2 to a 1600 MK2. Fully auto now, with disc size sensor too, plus way, and I mean WAY better sonic isolation in the plinth. You can set it right on top of a subwoofer (i don't but tried it once), and no detectable rumble was getting through to my AT-95ML cartridge. My 15" woofers were only moving to the music and not throbbing like wild things like you see when rumble gets into a turntable (Like I used to see all the time with some of the newer belt drive rigs). Anyway, cheers. Glad you love that deck. Technics is a great reliable platform for playing vinyl.
Very helpful review. Thanks. 👌
No problem 👍
I bought 2 SL1200’s in the summer of 1991, and I still have them. I still have all original packaging and kept my receipts- £330 each. Until last year, I have never had a single issue with them, never had a service, never had anything fail- then my right channel died on one of them. No problems, quick desolder and replaced RCA cables with “better” (ie more expensive) set of RCA cables. Problem fixed. Such a great product, I have had many many hours of happiness with them. Currently using a Goldring G2500 in one of them, and an Ortofon Black in the other- both sound great to me.
I have the new 1200GR and am absolutely loving it. It's the same turntable as yours but improved in almost every way. :)
Jealous - that's a great tt!
picked up a black 1200 last summer in excellent condition with all the original parts and cables. Love the table and how robust it is, sounds great too. Have a 2M blue on it but considering upgrading. Could be the last table for a lot of vinyl enthusiasts until they choose to dive into the world of expensive hifi.
I bought a 1200 mk7 about 6 months ago as a home listening table. This thing sounds great and I doubt ill ever need another table.
Congrats, i love the TECHNICS!!!!!
I have same turntable and too SL1500C, love it.
I also have a DJ turntable : a Vestax PDX-d3 from 1995, and I love it for hifi use. Like this Technics one, it has crystal speed control, direct drive, all adjustments for the arm including high.... A rock solid and heavy turntable.
Hiya Frank! In talking about Technics in general, have a 1510 and love the daylights out of it...it runs an Ortofon Concorde STD and it sounds AND runs awesome.
I have a couple of Pickering V15s from other 'tables (I have 22-ish)...hearing your take on yours I'm going to give mine a try...thanks for the video(s)!
I also have a black SL1200 MK2 I picked up locally here in Minnesota a few years ago for $500. It's my main everyday turntable and sounds great!!
Im happy u didnt say u dont like the fact that it dont have an auto return function cuz its not supposed to & u r correct u wont need any other turntable cuz u have the best in the world i have mine over 30 yrs now still love em
Before and After Technics SL 1600 Mk2 Turntable (1979) there was nothing; Thanks for the excellent video,Frank!!
My SL 1200 MK1 has been in daily use for over 35 years. I update the cart once a year, and oil it every 6 months. It's purely flawless.
And the most amazing part? You don't even need snake oil to lubricate that shaft!
@@Blackbird_80 Yes
Great video, Frank. My favorite cartridge is , also a Pickering XV-15, on my Yamaha YP-701.kb
I upgraded my turntables earlier this year to a SL-1200 MK2 and a SL-1210 MK2 in pristine condition.
These are the decks for the rest of my life.
Couldn't be happier.
My cartridges:
Stanton L837S with a tonar Shibata style needle
original Stanton L737S in new condition plus a
Stanton Trackmaster and Ortofon Concorde Pro for the ruff discs that need a lot more load on the needle to get played ;)
haha former pro-dj here, I have a pair of SL-1200 MKIIs in black from just a couple years before yours. I'm a canuck also. Still running great with minimal tuning up and no problems really. I absolutely love them
I got an early 1210mk2 fitted with an SME series 2, love it!
Hey Frank just got a SL-1200 Mk2 also black built May 2002 in awesome working and esthetic condition. I was a DJ back in my early days, never would I thought I was going to use it as audiophile turntable. After owning other turntables, I could also proudly say I will never go back to any other turntables. This is end game for me. Thanks for all the awesome videos you put out.
🤜💥🤛
Awesome - thanks man, and congrats on the 1200!
@@Channel33RPM you are welcome bud. Take care.
I used to have two SL 1200 MK2. I later upgraded to two SL 1200 MK5s (last year of analogue pitch and no click on on the pitch control). Regardless, you have a solid turntable right there. Well done.
Bought my 1200 MKII in 1987 & my brother bought a 1210 MKII used from a flat mate while studying back in 1990, were used while i played out at gigs & people were fascinated by them as I was the 1st owner of them in my community can only say they have always served me well. Only thing I've really had to do to them was replace the push up light with a LED mod, other than that their built to last & also sound great with ortofon concord pro on them.
I have the same model and color! Yes it’s Technics SL1200 MK2 in black! Mine was built in September of 2000 so just one year newer than yours. It was in virtually unused condition and the seller even included a brand new genuine Technics dust cover and packaged it as it would have been packaged at the factory! I paid a premium for it because it was nearly new and I appreciated the care the seller took to package it properly. I use the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge and head shell combo which comes pre aligned for the Technics turntable as well as a number of others I think. Of course that was a separate purchase after experimenting with a couple other cartridges. I’ve checked the alignment many times to satisfy myself that it’s as perfect as can be reasonably expected. It is! It sounds amazing and it’s only gotten better! I’m so happy with this arrangement that I haven’t touched it for years. That was enough time for the grease to dry up and lock the Vertical Tracking Angle adjustment tight. I’ve seen the videos on how to fix this but I honestly don’t think about it much because it’s set up correct for what’s currently installed and I have no desire to use any other setup. My serial number has P where yours had MC. I didn’t see a reference for P.
May I ask how much you paid for it? I’m looking to get one in similar condition
@@1SonOfMoon1 Just the turntable, packed properly in a Technics box with the new dust cover, was around $700 without a cartridge with shipping. You can check the prices for the Ortofon 2M Blue mounted in its own branded head shell. That was extra. You can find cheaper setups but I’ve not seen an old school SL 1200 in this good shape. It was virtually new with not a single blemish. I think the seller said it was used for a very short time and then put back in the box! Good luck finding one that hasn’t been beaten up! I realize at that price we are getting competitive with the high end but this is high end, especially if you can find a clean one where the seller doesn’t know what they have! My seller knew full well what she had!
I started getting back into old school stereos about 14 years ago. My father in law said I could have his back up turntable, a stock 1200 mk2. With 5 stereo systems and 10 turntables, it's still number one. Always will be.
That Pickering cart is a solid piece. I ended up getting one that was on a MicroSeiki DD-30 TT I got for $20 about 5 years ago.
I have a Mk2 from ‘89 and absolutely LOVE it. I also have a Pro-Ject Debut Recordmaster. The Pro-Ject doesn’t get much use either. The Technics is just superior in every way to me and I’ll never sell it. Looking to get a new release in Red.
600$ is a solid deal. That's awesome. I have a Yamaha YP-D6 with a nagoaka mp110 going strong
Definitely an end game TT for me. Currently using an old Dual and Techinics P-mount from the '80s with vintage Shure cart on the Dual and an Ortofon on the P-mount.. Both, good enough. But the 1200 would be the step up table. Have fun with yours!
That's the turntable I want eventually. I don't understand turntables that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some of the people who who design & make amps & other stereo components that cost tens of thousands of dollars use a Technics themselves. Nelson Pass of Pass Labs for example uses a Technics 1200. However I really love the Audio Technica 540 ML cartridge/stylus.
Some people like to spend their money on expensive things. I hope they enjoy their $$$ tables.
by and large every newly made turntable is shit. The Pro-Ject ones? Shit. Especially if you hold them accountable to their claims. They literally claim some kind of audio nirvana, which is objectively comparable to the performance of technics' entry level turntables. At a huge cost! Making a bad turntable just wasn't an option for Technics back in the days, entry level or top end production; bad turntables wouldn't sell in a world where good turntables are cheap.
After owning several used Technics turntables I finally bit the bullet and bought a new one last March. A 12gr (black). I love it. I also have an older lp120, stored. Big difference between the two. Nice to finally have a new one. Running a Bluepoint II into a Parasound phono stage. Just couldn't take the inaccurate speed of my planar 3 which is now in my spares system
I bought a brand new SL1200 MK2 using an Ortofon Blue cartridge. I'm a DJ with 30 years experience. I left the business but buying a new 1200 just for playback at home was no problem when it came to choice. I wanted the original 1200 with the black plinth and silver top. I used the white overhang gauge and a protractor then adjusted the angle of attack. Because my house is brick and the floors are wooden, I had my brother install two angle irons into my wall to totally isolate the turntable from any acoustic feedback (I'm an audio visual engineer). I've listened to many decks over the years but I love my new 1200 and it will outlast me. Cheers from Australia, Andrew Collins.
Used SL 1200s for close to 2 decades in-studio and loved them. Here at home I use a refurbished Dual 1210. There are Duals I'd prefer however.
That is the turntable that I would like to have, but it is out of my price range. So I went with the Fluance RT85. I have been very happy with the Fluance so far. Maybe someday down the road I'll sell the Fluance, bite the bullet and spring for the 1200. I had a Technics entry level turntable back in the 80's, I think the model was SL20 or something like that. It had the p-mount cartridge. It did a great job for me for years. Have a great week Frank! Keep on spinning!
The RT85 is a fine turntable.
I like a lot the way to explain, very good storyteller, excellent dude.
Much appreciated!
Purchased a 1998 Technics sl 1200 MK5 in 2016 and has been Flawless with well over 10,000 hours of use. If you purchase this model make sure it has the octagon shaped cables that are low capacitance. Currently running ortofon 2m black, Audio Technica 440 MLB and ortofon om 40 Fritz Geiger 70 stylus with project tube box s phono preamp and audioquest interconnects. Sounds so sweet. I feel no need for upgrades but it is nice that there are many available.
I purchased my sl1200 in 2003. New in box, it was 800 Canadian.
All I've ever had to do maintenance-wise is oil the center spindle every couple of years.
Still performs like new. Truly an heirloom product. Glad you are enjoying yours.
regular oiling is part of simple regular maintenance. Just cars! Run them past maintenance and you're bound to break it. :p
the SL-1200 needing oil every couple of years ,are you a dj ,it´s a already oiled (more paste than oil )rotation system i only putted grease on it after maybe 15 years of being used and still had lubrification, just had to check it because of the many hours of work .I also don´t know how the modern versions are normally , the quality of built decreased since 1980, mine is a 79 ,at home i use more the SL-1000MKII and sold my two SL-1200MKII for 500€ with new concord needles ,in 2007 no one wanted them to home use ,only several years after i heard that was being used as a home turntable and some here on youtube ,maybe thinking that all persons are equal in the world saying that was never created like a professional turntable but a audiophile turntable , those(audiophiles) used to say that the SL-1200 or any version of it was a bad turntable, but there is a thing called internet where there is lot´s of information available or technics catalogs to download from the 70´s , but this guy wouldn´t know it and was starting a new world order with is ridiculous opinion, today even worse with needles having a1/4 or a 1/5 of the hours of use compared with the ones sold till late 90´s, normally one plays music and relaxes if one falls a sleep lot´s of hours lost with a modern needle, i call myself a audio enthusiast because audiophile today is a lightelly used word, even people that don´t have notion of what hi-fi is call themselves audiophiles just because they were borned rich and buy the most expensive components not knowing if it would sound aceptable together
I have a SL 3350 I I like that it's totally automatic it even has the spindle if you wanted to put multiple records on. I only paid $125 US from a local seller and I totally love it but the 1200 is my Grail someday I may own one I hope and thanks again for another awesome video
Great point in your review: look after your mk2 but keep it stock. It's a brilliant example of classic industrial design, so seems a pity to mess about with it. Like you, this is my last turntable.
Mine is a black SL1200 purchase '23 Canada .. I love it. I bought a record from a used shop. They played it. It sounded a bit crackly. I played it on mine and it sounded new. No crackly noise. (edit: my serial number doesn't come up in that place you posted.. says it is unfound.. yes, it is legit lol)
Excellent table! I use 2 of the MK5 for HiFi. Both have been fitted with Jelco tonearms and the KAB External power supplies. Both very worthy upgrades to take this to the next level. The external supplies remove the transformer inside which surprised me in that it is a source for noise. The external solution makes the background in the music completely disappear. The typical problem with the stock tonearm is not being able to lower the tonearm enough for some of the HiFi cartridges, as this table was intended to be used with taller DJ carts. I have tried using headshell spacers with mixed bag results. So it can limit you on some of the more picky exotic carts and stylus profiles. Elliptical carts work great on the stock arm though, because they are inherently more forgiving of setup. Replacing the tonearm with one that has a DIN connector eliminates the fixed cable problem as well. This table is way better for HiFi than it gets credit for! Lastly, this table responds well to sorbothane isolation, and the MK Stands over feet Boots have worked very well for me.
If you can't lower the tonearm enough, another way to fix that is to use a thicker mat. I've got an SL-1210M5G with a 5 mm (3/16") thick Sorbothane mat, and had to raise the tonearm a bit to get the right VTA. That is a really helpful feature. After some experimenting with the tonearm height, I found that just a bit above precisely horizontal improves treble level and clarity. Have you had time to do any experimenting, or are you keeping your tonearm exactly horizontal? These are great turntables!
As for colour and market, my SL-1210M5G is that great glossy black with silver speckles. It is a Canadian market model, since I bought it from a shop in Calgary, and I'm pretty sure it's not grey market. Since I got it in September 2010, I had to do some searching, because they were going out of production right then, and all the low-priced ones were gone. That meant I had to pay over $1200 for it, and it totalled $1450 Cdn by the time it got to me on Vancouver Island. I don't regret a penny. Twelve years later, it still looks and sounds like new.
Unlike to you, to me the look of the SLs doesn't seem to match the price, so I wanted to upgrade its looks. The solution was a walnut base from KAB USA. It gives the deck a classy look, and to my surprise, it improves the sound slightly! Maybe it's because the wooden base surrounds the turntable so that loud music is kept away from the bottom of the turntable, making faint background noise even fainter. That's a guess, but there definitely is an improvement in the sound.
Okay, last thing. I had an old SL-1400 Mk 2, which was my first Technics deck. It was much better than the old BIC belt-drive turntable I'd been using, and it was good-looking, with its rosewood insert on the front fascia. However, there was a ticking noise when the platter was spinning and the controls were getting sticky. It seemed like a great last chance occasion to get the M5G while they were still available.
Of course, the new M5G came without a cartridge, so I took the cartridge and black headshell from the SL-1400, plus the thick Sorbothane Platter Matter mat, and put them on the new M5G. Now, EVERYTHING that touched the records was from the old turntable, so I didn't expect to hear any difference. Wrong! The difference was immediately obvious, from more solid bass to improved midrange clarity. How? The heavier platter and stronger motor made the bass more lifelike, with a more solid attack on the leading edge of each bass note. As for the improved treble, I can only surmise that this was due to the upgraded tonearm wires in the M5G. Later, I had the titanium-look M5G headshell fitted with the Shure M97xE cart from the SL-1400 and installed it on the M5G, so the changeover was complete. The SL-1210M5G is definitely a better-sounding turntable, despite seeming to be very similar electrically and mechanically to the older (1978?) turntable.
It seems obvious time and technology march on, with incremental improvements really adding up over time. The Technics engineers keep finding and making improvements. If a new G or GR model is out of reach for you at the present time, a low mileage M5G might be everything you're looking for, for either the short term or the long term.
I also went for the Jelco (750D) on one of my Mk5g. What I did is went 'organic'. I splashed out for an ebony armboard, an ebony headshell, two cartridges with hardwood bodies, and an ebony stabiliser! They make musical instruments from the stuff. I also liked that the S shaped Jelco kept with the aesthetic. Also the 'Shuggie Collar' from Ammonite Audio assisted with VTA adjustment. Quite a bit of dosh, but I don't regret it.
I see you are a fan of KABUSA. Have you tried their thrustpad?
Congratz!
Nothing beats the technics 1200 mk 2.
I bought a defect one and now there is no money for one so jelous of yours!
Spent 500 worst buy of my life.
Im now gonna try buying another used one.
Godspeed.
You did well with your TECHNICS 1200. Like most various other brands the RCA phono plugs are built in the units. What i did due to the medium size length depending how your set ups on your Amplifier/ Receiver/ mixer I added an extension RCA female plug cord, my alternative ones I bought at RADIO SHACK two way cordless RCA female plugs. Have them going strong to this day. My model is SL-D 500 Automatic Record Changer. Wow would i like to add the model you featured. Excellent video. Enjoy your music. 🎵🎼🎶 🎧
I have a MCS Fully automatic Quartz lock and Technics fully automatic Quartz lock. MCS has a stereo cart and the Technics has a mono cart. Solid machines.
First! As I own myself 3 1200's as a dj and an sl-q2 hifi table as my hifi tt. I don't need another one
Brother Frank just looked at your video. And I have to back you. When those Technics were designed and produced over about 4 decades ago, they knew exactly what they were doing! I had a pair in 1990 until 2012. But what failed on them were the hard wired RCA PHONO CORDS! But I always loved those turntables. I bought a pair of Numark TTX YOU turntables that didn't really appealed to me. I used to keep them in a DJ coffin. But over the years the turntables had a gooey sticky feeling to them when you touch the pitch, turntable's bases, etc., The 1200's I had Frank loved them Brother! Great video with information I never knew before. ✌️ Peace and ♥️ Love Brother! 2022 turntables and vinyls are still big for even younger generations females and males!
Those hard-wired RCA cables are a pain to replace, but it's not the end of the world. If the turntables are in good shape and you like them a lot, it's certainly worth replacing the cables with something newer and better, and maybe getting RCA sockets installed for next time, in a decade or two. You can even find CZcams videos on how to replace them yourself.