Technic’s Malaysian turntables …QC experience/ feedback from actual users/owners?


Please,  If your only purpose is to bash Technics or the concept of direct-drive, please do not do it here.

Obviously too…this is not a representative sample…so mine and other experiences may (or may not) be indicative of the whole picture.  

I’ve read that some folks are experiencing wobble, warp, and other QC issues with some of the Malaysian tables only to be told that the tables are still within spec. What are your experiences with the fit and finish of the Malaysian tables?

My experience: Very disappointing.  I just returned a 1500c that should have never left the factory.  The table had an across the room wobble that a child could immediately recognize…yet they shipped it.  What concerns me most is that  I’ve been reading where  Technics and some of their dealers are saying that a certain amount of (easily-visible we’re talking) platter wobble may still be within spec.  Are these cases outliers…or indicative of a new, lesser, Technics standard?


P.S. Until this very morning….I thought the 1200GR,G,  and higher were still made in Japan…but will attach a notice from Technics I just found which appears to contradict that.    Maybe we can at least put to rest which tables are made where!

 

 

 

 

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I bought a new 1200G from Galen Carol a few months ago.  No quality problems at all.  A beautiful sounding table and arm, very musically satisfying.

Wow, I’m glad I found this thread. 
 

I bought a MoFi Electronics Fender X Precision Deck.  The quality is so bad and customer support from MoFi is totally nonexistent.  Speed stability is terrible, platter bearing was not lubricated from the factory, cueing piston doesn’t work properly and audio output cables have a ground discontinuity.  I’m going to return the MoFi Fender turntable as it is in no way “Precision”.  
 

I was going to replace the MoFi Fender with a Technics SL1200G.  After I searched Google and found so many owners complaining about platter wobble, I’m afraid to purchase one now.  
 

I have seen YouTube videos of people who own the Technics SL1200G playing records on them and noticed the platter wobble myself  At the current price of $4,300 U.S. dollars, that’s unforgivable  You may as well buy a Hanpin made direct drive  They all have platter wobble  

Now I don’t know what to do!

 

 

Just reporting back. Parts arrived for my new Malaysian 1200G and all is 100%. First time in years that I’ve listened to Vinyl..wow. I should note that Music Direct didn’t need to fabricate the platter screws & washers Those parts were made in Japan, so I’ve got a Malaysian/Japanese Technics

Most of the Technics line is made in Malaysia. Especially the Grand Class like the SU-G700M2 , SU-G30, SL 1200 series of TT.

Thorens is doing the same only building the TD124 in Germany. 

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My Malaysian 1200G arrived last month.  I unpacked it last week.  It was missing three platter screws.  My Music Direct advisor let me know that the screws were backordered, so they had a machinist fabricate new ones.  They arrive in four days.  My advisor is restarting my 60 day trial period.  He has been great through a number of transactions.  I avoid PRC products.  So, glad Technics chose Malaysia.

That Pioneer table also had issues with loose tonearm bearings...even Herb Reichert mentioned it during his review of it. Although, after tightening the bearings, all was well. The best bang for the buck is the current technics mk7 ($999) now available in 7 colors. Buy it from a place where it can be returned, if it so happens to come with a warped platter. It has the same tonearm as the GR, the platter weighs somewhat less, as well as the plinth...we are only talking a few pounds though. You can Make the mk7 near as good as the GR by adding the KabUSA glass platter mat/technics thin rubber mat combo, and the Isanoe feet.

If I recall, the made in Japan also had issues.

I own & love my GAE with no platter wobble. The dots do have the wobble as @audioguy85 has said.

ml8764ag

Keep in mind that the Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable is sourced from Technics. It too has documented issues with platter warping that can be researched online.

Thanks for the responses …maybe going to Give the PIoneer PLX1000 a try…suspect it SOUNDS at least as good as an old 1200mk2… will report back if so…

I own a mk7 and the platter looks fine to me. The dots on strobe are not exactly even, so that may give impression that platter appears warped. However when focusing on just top edge, I dont notice much if any warp. 

@roxy54   such a problem was my turntable i would never accept it, I would return it immediately.

Look here ....  and I could publish more




at 1'45"

 




 

 


Here’s the text I found…It had no date or header…but seems authentic?
 

 

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Greetings Technics Dealers,

I’d like to express our appreciation for your strong support and contribution to the continuing sales of Technics products.

This notice is to inform you that Panasonic has decided to relocate the production of Technics products currently manufactured in Utsunomiya, Japan, to our Malaysia production facilities effective April 1, 2021. This move will strengthen our logistics management by concentrating all our production resources to one facility while strengthening our competitive edge.  The models involved are as follows: SL-1200GR/SL-1210GR/SL-1200G/SP-10R/SL-1000R

This change will enhance our Technics production and engineering.  This process incorporates the most up-to-date technology standards and state-of-the-art mechanical manufacturing, which will ensure that the renowned Technics attention to detail will remain unchanged resulting in product quality that satisfies our most discriminating critics.  As you may recall, our Malaysia factory has been manufacturing other fine products like the SC-C70MK2/SC-C30/SC-C50/SL-1200MK7/SL-1500C/SU-G700/SL-G700 and the new SU-R1000.

While we have paid due diligence to deliver as much product as possible from the Utsunomiya factory, the earliest arrivals from the new Malaysia factory will likely be end of May to mid-June.  Please bear with us through the transition.  The sales team will continue to provide details on your existing order fulfillment as they are informed.