New Technics 1200

I'm wondering what Audiogoners think would be the  next best thing [other than buying a used 1200 MkII] as far as the closest equivalency in quality and performance in currently production turntables? Examples are the Pioneer PL1000X, the Stanton :150, and the Audiotechnica 1240, among others?

The next best thing to a new SL-1200 GAE would be a good used 1200 MKII.  None of the other Chinese built SL-1200 knock offs will come close to a Japanese built SL-1200, new or used, when it comes to quality.  And the new one is built in Japan - I spun one around at AXPONA this past weekend just to be sure.  Its an impressive TT.

And while this table would not be my first choice for 4 grand, I also don't feel its that overpriced for what Technics had to do to bring a quality direct drive back to the market.  Remember, whether this TT trips your trigger or not, no other TT has exceeded the worldwide sales of the SL-1200 for both home or DJ use.  There's even one on display at the Smithsonian.  After the initial run of 1200 have been sold, I don't see the main production run selling for too much less than 4K.  If direct drive is what someone wants, where else is someone going to go  - the 30K VPI? 

Mofimadness is correct.  The pricing has been well known now for a couple of months.

And the Technics rep at AXPONA just this past weekend confirmed the same.  So if anyone want this TT, makes sense to get one of the 1200 GAE limited edition as the production G model will cost the same.

Unless of course market reaction forces Technics to change its pricing strategy.  Time will tell.

You were very clear and I addressed your question in my very first post. I will repeat the answer here...

The next best thing to a new SL-1200 GAE would be a good used 1200 MKII. None of the other Chinese built SL-1200 knock offs will come close to a Japanese built SL-1200, new or used, when it comes to quality.

There is no comparison and IMO, these Hanpin tables have few merits other than being cheap.  I would buy a used SL-1200 MKII any day over a Hanpin built knock offs. They are riddled with problems from inability to keep proper speed on the AT’s to loose tonearm bearings on the Pioneer.  I have even heard complaints that the strobe dots were flaking off the platter.  This may not be what you want to hear, but its the truth.

Again, if your looking for something positive about the Hanpin knock offs, you won't get it from me.  Just straight talk.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why someone would pay $700 for a Pio PLX-1000 when less would get you a good used SL-1200 MKII.  And just another $100 gets you a totally refurbished Stokyo SL-1200MK5.  But good luck to you in your Hanpin quest.