chakster,
I got the part about new Technics having more sophisticated parts than Pioneer and that is what I assumed just based on price differences. I was wondering if there is any significant performance difference.
Of course, I have no knowledge about Pioneer business decisions involved in marketing this PLX-1000, but I have my guess.
That particular (1200ish) design has been copied by many over the years. I would guess that some manufacturer had one in the works or already ready and Pioneer took it and branded it as Pioneer. That way they had an opportunity to put it on the market quickly and capitalize on growing turntable market without wasting time and resources on development of the whole new product and manufacturing side.
Technics seems to have been attempting to resurrect the whole brand (not only turntable part) with turntables being the most visible ambassador product. Pioneer just needed some turntable to add to the existing product line.
Could you tell me why Technics released a "clone" of their own great original design instead of making a new own great original design? I am simply not a fan of 1200 (and its clones including Pioneer) design. Why wouldn't they release a nice turntable that does not look like their designer got fired on the day the project development started. 1500C is much better attempt at design, but lacking in final execution.