2. analog
  3. 1020136790

Time to get things straight.

Every person that states the Technics 1200 is THE best TT in its price class risks himself to getting Flack from the belt drive crowd. I have posted that Thorstens speaks highly of it and here's some of his quotes as posted in the Asylum:

"And yes, the 1200 with a better arm is dynamite. Even stock with minimal tweaks it's an easy Rega P2/3 killer."

"So don't knock it if you don't know it. A Rega Planar is a cheap bearing and Motor stuck into a piece of MDF, the engineering content for all intents is ZERO. The only worthwhile thing on the Rega is the Arm."

*********

And from Steven Rochlin:

"Hmmmm... I DO AGREE that the 1200 does not have the overall "ultimate" PRAT of my VOYD setup (or a finely tweaked Linn LP12), though overall it really does have nice, smooth, consistant PRAT that blows away even the $20k+ Goldmund Reference and the like. Maybe the 1200 does not the worlds best PRAT, but DARN good. Over 10,000 dance clubs around the world prove it virtually every night."

"The Technics SL-1200 in its various offerings are EXCELLENT!!! Do not listen to those "belt drive only" folks. Wonder if they know that the highly praised Goldmund STUDIO turntable was direct drive? Anyway, the 1200 is probably THE BIG BARGAIN in turntable land. Great motor, good platter, built to take a lickin' and keep on tickin' (with apologies to Timex, whose watches ALWAYS broke after a month for me).

"Over the MANY years I have used more than i care to remember 1200 tables at MANY clubs. They ALL worked flawlessly and even after all the, er, um, abuse of back scratching and needle dropping and vinyl dropping they just kept going and going. IMHO there is pretty much nothing on the new market under $800 that comes near the 1200 in speed stability, drive, and overall PRAT (pace, rhythm and timing). Given the right needle i can only see great things UNTIL you get the upgrade itch and go for a used Linn LP12 or VOYD. Besides, what other "audiophile" table would you play Led Zeppelin backwards to hear all those Satanic messages? Oh how about ELO backwards to hear the secret message?"

****

Wake up, people!!!

So much for glass and particle board...
psychicanimal

Showing 1 response by sedond

sedond
1,387 posts
 
would i ever buy a technics 1200 'table w/the kabusa.com fluid-damper mod? prolly not. why? cuz, for my $800, i think i can do better w/a used deck. oracle, well-tempered, vpi, linn, to name a few. *BUT* - if my choices were limited to brand-new turntables, the kabusa 1200 would be at the top of my list. maybe i'm mistaken, but this, i think, is what the psychic is getting at. have y'all ever heard a technics 'table? i had the opportunity to audition an older sp10 in an audiophile-approved set-up a while back, & it was 1st-class all the way... for an "entry-level" 'table, or for newbies getting into vinyl that don't wanna break the bank, or take a chance w/a used deck, the 1200 will be far superior to any other new deck at its price-point, imo...

ymmv,

doug s.
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