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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.

pryso

Showing 2 responses by darkstar1

darkstar1
180 posts
 
I think they are thinking we sold tons of 1200s. I think they are thinking tons of people had this table and now years later some of those people are going to have done well and can afford this. 

They are thinking we are not going to sell as many turntables in 2016 so lets make some improvements and up the price so that they can sell far fewer tables and still make money. Now they don't have to service 50k units now they service and support 10k units and still make a ton of money.

There will be no confusion. People who can piss away 4k without a second thought are not confused. They had one of these and now want a new one that looks cooler, sounds better and has a modern look. 

The people who have to save or sacrifice will do the research and not be confused when they pull 4k out of their pocket.

I have no idea why people are so concerned with Technics "mess up". Seems like a pretty sound decision to me. Don't be mad its expensive. Save up and buy it or don't but they are not going to have trouble selling these.
darkstar1
180 posts
 
no they are not confused. They want to complain on the internet which is the trend now. They have not taken 5 minutes to read anything about the table. Those people are not really looking to buy the table just complain about the price without a lick of info. 
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