Maybe they figured that they have already sold over 2 million tables that looked very similar so why not stick with a sure thing?
What is Technics thinking?
Lots has been said, both pro and con, about the new Technics turntable. Description here -
http://www.sl1200gae.info/about
Some are excited about the potential, given the upgrades since their last production table/arm, the venerable SL-12XX series. Others see it simply as an excuse to raise the price significantly of the 1200s.
In my view they shot themselves in the foot. They copied the model number of their best selling table (I can only imagine in the hope the familiarity will carry over) and also ended up with a very similar appearance. Given the information on all the upgrades over their prior model, the similarities make it appear like something less than what it might be.
Technics had a room at THE Show Newport and that was my first chance to see a SL-1200GAE. The fit and finish appeared to be very good but it did look like a "polished up" SL-12XX. I ask the Technics rep why they didn't do more to distinguish this as a new model, given their efforts with engineer upgrades. He said he could understand my question but then really didn't offer a reasonable explanation. After describing all the components which had been redesigned/upgraded from the prior model he offered a demo. However the room was crowded and the remainder of the system was completely unfamiliar, so no fair impression could be made.
I believe it should have had a more unique model designation and more might have been done to the physical package so it didn't look so much like the prior model.
http://www.sl1200gae.info/about
Some are excited about the potential, given the upgrades since their last production table/arm, the venerable SL-12XX series. Others see it simply as an excuse to raise the price significantly of the 1200s.
In my view they shot themselves in the foot. They copied the model number of their best selling table (I can only imagine in the hope the familiarity will carry over) and also ended up with a very similar appearance. Given the information on all the upgrades over their prior model, the similarities make it appear like something less than what it might be.
Technics had a room at THE Show Newport and that was my first chance to see a SL-1200GAE. The fit and finish appeared to be very good but it did look like a "polished up" SL-12XX. I ask the Technics rep why they didn't do more to distinguish this as a new model, given their efforts with engineer upgrades. He said he could understand my question but then really didn't offer a reasonable explanation. After describing all the components which had been redesigned/upgraded from the prior model he offered a demo. However the room was crowded and the remainder of the system was completely unfamiliar, so no fair impression could be made.
I believe it should have had a more unique model designation and more might have been done to the physical package so it didn't look so much like the prior model.
Showing 7 responses by andysf
http://northcoastaudio.com/technicsSL1200GAE.html Glad I decided to wait for the "G". Still very interested in hearing owner reviews of the GAE! |
I am glad I waited to buy the Technics 1200G model because: 1. It will be available in black. Everyone knows that dark colored components have a warmer tone. Silver components sound bright and lean. Often, they need to be dunked in a cyro bath to sound acceptable, something I would like to avoid, if possible. In any case, I much prefer black to silver. 2. It seems that the G and GAE models will be almost exactly the same. While the list price may be the same, I would expect the G model to be available at a discount, at least after the first few months. I thought about buying the GAE but with almost no reviews, either online or in print, it was hard to pull the trigger. It is a long drive for me to hear one in the next state and I won't really have time until next month. |
Audiofun: I have been enjoying your comments on your new table, especially as you are able to compare it to SP-10 MK3. Interesting that reducing the torque improves the sound. Raymonda: I have been unable to find any references online to "the apparent and still problematic cogging effect that the new unit has." Even Timestep, which is pushing its mods, describes the table as "superb" but improvable with their own PS and a SME tonearm, said to reduce the "haze" they hear. The SME tonearm reduces the ability to easily change cartridges, one of the advantages of the original arm. |
They are about $3400 in Japan. Not a big difference with the US price. http://kakaku.com/search_results/Technics+1200G/ |