Technics 1200 G a Forever Turntable?
Before the SL1200GAE (and later G) was announced for the fist time, a "forever Technics" was the SP-10mk3 (and cheaper mk2) with Technics EPA-100 mk2 (or cheaper EPA-100) tonearms. |
@hobo1452
I recently upgraded to a Technics 1500C and It's definitely my forever TT. Everything there is to love about a Technics TT minus all the DJ foofaraws. I'm afraid what you call "DJ foofaraws" is a Pitch Control and this feature is more than you can imagine. You must be a musician to understand what is the pitch and why it's critical. I'm sure Technics explained this recently too. Some people don't understand why there is a pitch control on High-End turntables, for most of them pitch associated with DJ turntables only. In reality pitch control is an amazing feature for reference class turntables and critical listening sessions too! JVC/Victor engineers explained very well why there is a pitch control on TT-101 (for example): "The pitch, "A" is standardized at 440Hz according to international standards, and is the standard for all western musical instruments. In other words, the tuning of all instruments of the orchestra is based on this pitch. But in reality, the basic tuning pitch of each orchestra differs due to the instrumentation and individual characteristics of each orchestra, as well as the personality of the conductor. The diagram shows such differences by orchestra. Most of the pitches range within +/- 6Hz of 400Hz. To reproduce these subtly different pitches, a quality turntable with highly accurate rotation is required. Another important requirement is the possibility of minute speed adjustment. If the speed of a turntable could be adjusted to the individual pitch used by an orchestra while at the same time remaining controlled by a quartz-locked servo system, the benefits of flexibility and precision would be significant from a musicological viewpoint. For this reason the TT-101 is equipped with built-in speed-control facilities which can adjust the pitch in 1Hz steps within a range of +/- 6Hz or 440Hz. The difference of pitches between master tape recorders and disc record cutting machines has been intentionally ignored before but now the speed of a record can be adjusted to match the original pitch of the orchestra, even if the master was recorded differently from the original performance. For example, a performance of the NHK Symphony Orchestra on the record can be adjusted to match the pitch of the same performance on a record by the London Symphony Orchestra, for the enjoyment of critical comparison." The "A" key of a piano in your home is usually tuned to 440Hz. When you practice the piano while playing back a record, you can adjust the pitch of the record, to be in perfect tune with your piano. |
I demo'ed a 1200 years ago and didn't think it was particularly special. Neither did the customer who upgraded it. Which 1200 did you audition? We're talking about NEW high-end turntables introduced in 2018, the name is SL1200G and the price is about $4k. You are talking about something you auditioned years ago ? Customers upgraded what ? There is nothing to upgrade, for those who would like to get on the next level Technics made SP-10R for $10k just for the drive @jrussell88 |
@hobo1452 All good info that I did not know since I am not a musician and don’t listen to classical music. I have never felt the need for, nor have I missed having a pitch control. Apparently, I’m not the only TT user who feels that way, otherwise Technics would not have bothered to produce the 1500C. Pitch control on Technics is a great feature, a bonus. People like you might think it will harm something, but it’s not. You will find pitch control on all top class Japanese turntables (Denon, Victor .... ). Also, if pitch control is that important, I’m left to wonder why it’s not a standard feature on all audiophile class turntables. In my musical world, pitch control is what Pete Townsend used to make sure his guitar hit his amp properly! How many Direct Drive audiophile class turntables do you know, except for Technics today ? Actually Technics made some great turntables without pitch control too (like my ex SP-10 mkII or SP-20 for example). My current reference Luxman PD-444 does not have a pitch control and I miss this option. Anyway, Technics made 1500c not even in Japan, it’s cheaper simpler and affordable model. The pitch is on their Made in Japan $4k SL1200G (and on GAE too). The 1500c looks nice, I just want to explain what is a pitch control and why it’s NOT only for DJs. |
I would love to take home a GR and a G and compare them to the 1200 M3D. I need to find a local dealer who sells both. @ronribbonsyour your turntable is not M3D like you posted many times by mistake, it’s MK 3D to be correct. Any old Technics in SL1200 series will be blown away by new GR or G, no questions here, it’s a new coreless motor and tonearm, and completely new turntable (another level), your old mk3D was about $450 new 20 years ago , but SL1200G is $4000 ! |
