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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 4 responses by m-db

m-db's avatar
m-db
1,009 posts
 
I hear where you're coming from. After reading the story behind the retooling and considering the SL has become the de-facto Icon for a record player even during the demise of the LP I can understand the manufactures dilemma.

I'm thinking they were considering how they would maintain their current customer base (scratchers) and their ability to mount the players into existing systems road cases. I'm sure they'll be available at every Guitarted Center next to the Neumann microphones in the glass case.

My 1976 SL is on its second long term loan to another friend who has rediscovered the superiority of his LP collection. Since I temporarily relocated his bookshelf speakers unveiling his first experience with sound staging they've been in place for the past seven months. 

Compared to my Well Tempered I do miss the ergonomics and quick startup and the platter torque when dusting a side. The damn thing has a certain pace in its presentation that I don't get with the Well Tempered. Unfortunately, that old arm is a POS.


m-db's avatar
m-db
1,009 posts
 
pryso, I agree. Your post got me thinking about what may have driven this design.
For me a glaring motive was maintaining the iconic look that even a line image of it is now easily recognizable as a turntable by people who may have never seen a turntable in person. 

Would a weekend scratcher pitch $8K for a pair of decks when the Pioneer version are the hot ticket at their local GC, definitely not. On the other hand there are plenty of concert level pro DJs who wouldn't blink at the status improvement like a set of twenty-two inch rims.

I can't imagine what they were thinking when improving that damn arm. Its 2016 and that VTA adjustment still can't be safely done on the fly and its S shape prevents an on the fly azimuth adjustment. WTF? 
m-db's avatar
m-db
1,009 posts
 
Anti-skate, VTA, and azimuth, adjustments can be made on the fly with my Well Tempered Classic with fork towered arm. As the quality of my phono section and cartridge improved these vernier adjustments became much more important in dialing in the decks presentation during play. 

While the SL does allow limited azimuth adjustment, spinning the P-mount head shell is a time consuming hit or miss affair. Guess I'm spoiled. 
m-db's avatar
m-db
1,009 posts
 
pryso, P-mount, Universal, I assumed they were the same. Thanks for that.

totem, for many years I used a level followed by carefully listening to a test record for my azimuth adjustment. Then I borrowed a Fozgometer and realized a greater accuracy and an improvement in staging.  
To complicate things further the Well Tempered Classic has a slightly concave plater. 

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