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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
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Pryso,
Kimber cables had only affordable choices till fairly recent where they've tasted the smell of high-end 'upgrades' and designed their high-priced line of products. Same happened with AudioQuest, WireWorld and Tara Labs.
The component manufacturers also follow the same pattern in to the great profitable industry aimed to convince foolish children of rich parents by introducing their "flagships" into the market. 
Tomorrow Magnavox will also introduce their new high-end deck or some modern R2R player that will cost 4-digit figure -- You never know.

Please remember CAPITALISM is about PROFIT and not about JUSTICE -- pay fee and go free.
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. 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
stonedeaf
101 posts
 
The review (incl. Paul Miller's lab test) in the June 2016 Hi Fi News and Record Review should put to rest the idea that this is just a rewrap twice baked version of the originals. This 1200GAE is a new table period. The just plain G will be a little different than the AE -but also not related in more than control placement and styling to the original series. I anticipate that most of the original 1200 will be collected -valued for their rarity rather than performance. But once we get past that - we'll see what the market is willing to pay for the mass market utility version. As a big fan of the SL-1200XX? of the past -I'm gonna think about one of these !
billallen10
19 posts
 
My 6 month wait is over, my Technics SL-1200GAE shipped today from Hi-Fi Heaven in Green Bay, Wi. Jim received 5 turntables (all sold)  but he is promised more. I suggest calling him to get your name on the waiting list, as no doubt some people will renege at the full purchase price.

I was 16 when the SL-1200Mk2 was released back in 1978, it was a big seller because it was sold from Pro Audio Venue's, Appliance Stores, and HiFi Expos at deep discounts. These Expos traveled town to town and set up in large Arena's, offering a 'cash and carry' feeding frenzy. While most of the gear sold was low end junk, the 1200Mk2 was authorized (or maybe not) to be sold in these outlets. Many of my friends walked out the door with one for as little as $200. Without a doubt the best bank for the buck in Turntables back in those days. 

Myself, I waited till I joined the Air Force in 1980 to purchase the so-called HiFi version, the SL1600Mk2, which was fully automatic and sold only in authorized dealerships.  There was a big stigma on the automatics sounding inferior, so Technic's made the 1700 (semi-auto) and 1800 (full manual). However just like the new SL-1200GAE, the multi-voltage black SL-1610MK2 table had some unique upgrades that the other tables didn't. Two of which was a titanium arm tube holder and hand selected bearings. As far as I know these 'upgraded tables' where sold only through BX/MX base exchanges an Audio Video Club's at international military bases. Mine still works perfectly to this day!

What was unique about this line of Technics direct drive tables was their sprung loaded plinth. This proved advantageous in Audio Dorm Wars when solid plinth tables popped there stylus clear out of the groove from all the thunderous bass shaking the floors. Later in life I discovered this same tuned suspension was one of the reasons the SL-1610MK2 outperforms the SL1200Mk2. I also own a special Japanese Edition SL-1200MK2 Gold, so I speak from direct knowledge. There is no doubt in my mind, the SL-1610Mk2 is still the direct drive turntable to beat.

The linear tracking tables that followed this line where clearing inferior sounding. Technics bet the farm on Linear Tracker's but nobody wanted them. I always wondered what they have would have produced had they not wasted their time on that technology. 

Imagine my surprise at CES 2016 when I stumbled on the new Technics SL-1200GAE sprung loaded table.  Wow, this is the table they should have released in 1983 ... better late then never Technics!!!

I'll report back after i get good listen. 

pryso OP
1,928 posts
 
Thanks Bill, I look forward to an owner's comparison.
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