Technics Turntables...really???

I hope most here noticed the OP was a "hit and run" artist.  No comments on the replies one way or another.  Not even a thank you for the information offered.  So are they "missing" all the answers?  All this a sure sign of a troll in my view.

Just the same, it did stimulate several interesting replies. ;^)

Yup, as I promoted earlier in the thread, it seemed obvious what the intention was by the OP. I'm hoping for fewer "hot potatoes" thrown into the middle of the room and then run like hell, pop the corn and sit back and watch the pyrotechnics. Reminds me of Trash Can Man in The Stand. The next time I see pawlowski6132 initiate a thread, I will remind members of this one.

There was a legit point though, how the brand has become tarnished by all the hacks and rapper “DJs” that don’t have a clue about why they think they need a pair of SL-1200mk2 turntables to make terrible noise with. Truth is that the esteemed SL-1200mk2 is not even what most morons think it is. Not that it’s a bad turntable, but it is the poor cousin of the SL-1600mk2 / SL-1700mk2 / SL-1800mk2, all of which provided the SL-1200mk2 with its tonearm, motor,  platter and a few other odd bits. The truth is the SL-1200mk2 with its rubber base has nowhere near the isolation of the more sophisticated SL-1600mk2 / SL-1700mk2 / SL-
1800mk2. What is popular opinion, is often misinformation. The cult status of the SL-1200mk2 a good example. 

I was a DJ back in the day at the Peppermint Lounge in NYC.
We had a pair of SL 1200's ( like the rest of the world) and they were bullet proof. They had Stanton 681- EEE carts that could take the riggers of being back cued and the challenging environment of Dance Clubs. The 1200's always worked, never broke down or gave me any problems what so ever. I never listened to them other than at the club either over the house system (lots and lots of Crown amps and I forget what speakers) or headphones in the booth so I can not give you real feedback on how they sound BUT they were (are)  a well made pro-level piece of gear. 

@sleepwalker65

The SL1200mkII becabe a DJ turntable because of the +/- 8% pitch control fader, none of the mentioned models has it.

The poor isolation and bass feedback is the biggest problem of the SL1200mkII when it’s near the very loud soundsystem with powerful subs, but the best solution to get rid of it is Isonoe Footers

But for home use it is not a problem. Without significant upgrade this model is a dark sounding turntable, nothing special. After upgrade it is much better, but nowhere near the finest SP-10mkII (the SL1600 and related models you have mentioned are just a toys compared to the SP-10mkII).

@grossman616 Which Peppermint Lounde, not the original which was opened in the 60’s ? 

LP12s remind me of Model Ts...

Peter, Will your collar work on older Triplanars, manufactured by Herb Papier?  I think the newest TPs have a thicker VTA pillar (based in part on looking at your own photos of your gizmo mounted on a modern TP).

@ grossman616--  your mention of the Peppermint lounge takes me back,, unfortunately  I was a state away which should not of stopped me from going of course.   The   Lounge had all this  cred  and party flavor  going for it back in the day and many who wanted to go probably didnt  as well.  I had to settle for going to Ripley NY for the bars with music et al  just over the PA border  Funny how your name reminded me of a Grossman that gradated the year I did in 63'  Wouldnt it be a small world indeed if you  were the same person and if your first name is Barry than its even more of a 6 degrees of separation event.  lol.    

pjrebordao

LP12s remind me of Model Ts...

Then you’re doing it wrong.

Period.

The LP12 and its Ariston RD cousins set the standard for belt drive TTs back about 40 years ago! But Time moves on ... I still have 'em and use 'em! And I have an older 1200 too! They all sound excellent!

Thank you johnnyb53 for explaining the design and charter of the 1200 series tables as a high end machine. It was never designed to be a DJ table, it just happened to have yet a second application due to its durability and functionality. In fact DJ’ing would never have evolved along with the music if it weren’t for the 1200’s features. The Japanese had no designs on "disco" music when these were initially made. The direct drive lent a tunable feature for aspiring musicians. I know I’m repeating what you said above but it needs to be restated. Also, there is nothing wrong with the arm. The bearings, shape and materials are all top notch; the arm is among the finest ever manufactured.

@djhappymike

 I have a pair of Very Rare Limited Edition Pair of 24 Karat Gold Plated Technics SL-1200 GLD Turntables for sale. $7000 in great shape 

You're on the wrong forum.
 
The old LTD series is just the same old technics pained gold, technically no difference. 

New Technics is completely different turntable inside. 

@stevecham  

The direct drive lent a tunable feature for aspiring musicians.

Record scratching and fooling with a mixer doesn’t make a musician. Learning how to play instruments and sing is what defines a musician. 

the thing is with the 1200G, vintage moving magnet cartridges on this table sound better than setups costing in excess of 10K.  You can use MC cartridges on the arm but the older MM cartrs really shine on this table to the point that I do not desire the 3k and above cartridges anymore.  Its that good.

Technics "junkers" have speed control better than many other manufacturer's expensive offerings.   Some kind of snobbery me thinks in these kind of threads.  

@sleepwalker: you missed the point completely. 

Just my opinion, 20 years ago, who thought vinyl would still be alive ? Now we have new TTs popping up all the time and more reissues on better vinyl formulations. Vinyl was supposed to be dead.

I think, everyone into vinyl, should have at least 2 TTs. One belt drive and one direct drive. Just converted to DD in April of 2018. There is no going back. I see a LP12 for 2250.00- current bid 1901.00. I would snatch this up if I did't already have one.The Technics 1200G and 1200GR are the best value in new DD TTs right now.

 We have more used record stores selling new and used vinyl in Chicago than we had 10years ago. Plenty of very good TTs on the used market for decent prices. Support a dealer that can help you set it up before we lose all of them.

No reason, not to take the plunge into vinyl.This is the new Golden Age of Vinyl.

nkonor, I detect a mixed message in your post.  If there is "no going back", once one has purchased a good DD turntable, then why on earth should everyone own one of each?  And why should a current buyer "snatch up" the LP12, therefore?

@lewm ,

Yes, I like my modded SL1200G with Triplanar arm. I also like my Kuzma TT. Two different sounds. Different TTs, arms, cartridges. I use a Manley Steelhead as phonostage for both.

As for the LP12, It looks to be in decent condition. If someone could do it for local pickup, even better. The upgrade path, for the Linn is not real spendy at first.

To really answer your question; We all like a change now and then. Two TTs provide that change for me.

The only people who prop up Technics are poor audiophile wanna-bes.  For the garbage Technics built in the past, they will forever pay for their sins.  

@jymc , Realy?

Not to get into a heated discussion, I have an GAE, Thorens 126 & an EMT 948. All have their own signature sound. My GAE w/an SME 309 can sometimes give my EMT a run for the money with certain lp's. At the end of the day, the EMT is my go to table, & then my GAE.

Come & give a listen.

jymc apparently was frightened by a Technics turntable as a youth. I wouldn't take him too seriously.  He hits and runs.

Nah lewm....

Technics simply represents a bad memory from my distant past while their track record is not so great with several models.  My response is more a momentary from-the-gut reaction couched in hyperbole.  And, giving in to the brand most preferred by DJs would be a difficult association to live with.  

With that said, I believe Technics has corrected the sins of their past with some capable offerings.  However, there are few features provided by Technics that cannot be equaled or bettered by belt drive TTs.  For me, an ex-TT brand with a checkered track record is like an ex-wife....neither have warm spots in my heart. 

It would be better to post substantive comments on Technics TTs, than to rely on sarcasm. Say why you don’t like them. Like why did you get a divorce? Most DJs don’t even use TT s any more, when you can even find a DJ. You need to do better than that.

This is one of the dumbest threads I've ever read. The top-tier Technics tables are world-class and are equivalent to or better than belt drive or any other table. I have a SP-10R, and I use the accurate-to-0.01 RPM pitch control every day when I transfer old 78s that were recorded anywhere from 70 to 90 RPM. You can't do that with other tables. If I need the table to spin at 38.38 RPM when I'm making a half-speed transfer, no other table offers the same level of speed stability, not even the six-figure ones owned by audiophile multimillionares. You couldn't pay me to own another table. 

+1 @mke246 

 

  I love the speed stability of my 1200

mke246

I have a SP-10R, and I use the accurate-to-0.01 RPM pitch control every day when I transfer old 78s that were recorded anywhere from 70 to 90 RPM. You can’t do that with other tables. If I need the table to spin at 38.38 RPM when I’m making a half-speed transfer, no other table offers the same level of speed stability, not even the six-figure ones owned by audiophile multimillionares.

Any VPI with an SDS or Sota with its speed servo system can do that. Easy-peasy.

I'm with the OP. I never got the attraction.

It looks like the VPI doesn't handle 78 RPM. Seems like the Sota does. I hadn't seen that when shopping a few years ago. I guess one of the top-of-the line Sotas might be in the same general league, then, as a SP-10R and what's better is probably a matter of subjectivity. I'm not immediately finding much hard data on Sota measurements. I think personally I tend to prefer direct drive, but I've seen a few belt-drive arguments that are somewhat compelling. As the owner of a SP-10R and highly customized plinth and set of tonearms, I'm not terribly inclined to dig further. The Sota factory is not far from me and seems to have a very good reputation, so I could see them being a good option for a lot of people.

 

Own 2 sl1200’s w couple tweaks, and the mid 90’s 1210 black version.

 

old ones are oiled, cleaned, kept unplugged, then warmed up before use. 
 35+ years old on silver o.nes.

 

20-25 years on black.  Never any issue, ALWAYS START AND STOP. 

I will be handing these down to family someday, I know they will work, I take,care of my stuff

 

 

I just took my 1983 original owner 1200 mkii out of mothballs, which has the GAE arm on it. The AT 159 mlx on the setup ''shines'' in my other system, (Fisher 800C pushing modded 84 Klipsch Corwalls). Going to be a family heirloom one day, their just that good!

I don’t have very much skill or patience, so my 1200 mk2 is a good fit for me. I’m sure there are other brands that can offer the same, but as long as it keeps going, I’m staying put.

Six years since I was in this discussion, we’ve all seen some changes since then.

Best-

I've had an SL1200G for the past 4 years and that is one awesome TT. 

How (or rather why) did this 6 year old thread get resurrected?