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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 1 response by vegasears

vegasears
1,173 posts
 
What is Technics thinking?

IMO, they were thinking. Audio-Technica and others have a niche market for “Utility Turntables” (UT). With Pioneer’s decision to get in the game with it’s own UT, Technics may have felt they could do better and at the same time make a little money. The sales figures, reviews and customer comments appear to show they hit the nail on the head. Also, I think the timing was perfect.

I own a Technics SL-1210 MKII and it saddens me that if my 1210 dies, I may not be able to afford one of their new TT’s. Yet, I am happy to see Technics back in the game and making products worthy of displaying that well respected Technics logo.

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