Very Impressed with my new Technics SL-1200GR TT

The Technics 1200's are designed & built for DJ'ing, and have been the staple for DJ's the world over. I've had two 1200's for at least 25 years, and a third for about 20. They are tanks indeed, and mine have seen some miserable conditions (rave's in the 90's, the morning after finding about an inch of fog machine residue. yuck!)

I don't know that I would attribute to being built in Japan vs China, frankly. I would suggest this simply has to do with the fact that they know their audience. DJ's work those turntables hard, and so they need to be sturdy. 

The first SL1200mk2 has never been designed for DJs, it was a hi-fi component that was adopted by djs and became a dj standard for professionals. DJing changed a lot in the early 80's, previously used Thorens belt drive were replaced by Technics direct drive and it was a revolution, a new standard. 

Prior to SL-1200 mk2 series a much better Technics turntable was the highest broadcast standard in the late 70's, it was SP-10mk2 and the mk3 is still ultimate (super high torque). 

Technics is great

Call me a fanboy too as I recently bought the 1210GR to put in my main system and moved the SL-QL1 that had been in that system (and a table I've owned since 1985) upstairs into the living room system.  I love the quality of the old and the new Technics tables and both sound great in my systems.

they are very nice.  An absolute steal for the money you pay.

I'm thinking of a wooden plinth to dress it up a bit