What is Technics thinking?

Thanks Bill, I look forward to an owner's comparison.

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. 

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 !

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. 

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.

"There will be no confusion."  Sorry, I don't agree.  I've read too many comments saying in effect that Technics simply raised the price of their DJ table to an unreasonable level.  Those folks fail to realize the SL-1200 was designed as a consumer product to begin with (but that's another story) and seem to be unaware of the extent of the upgrades in the new model.  So they are confused.

As it turns out, the SL-1200GAE may be a bargain at $4K in the context of today's market.

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.

Shot themselves in the foot??  First run sold out.  
Looks: I am glad they have retained the iconic styling.  You may not like it - others will.
Price:  Seems fair given the performance.  Actually I have an SL1210 Mkv.  I have spent about at least 100 hours of work on everything: - Aftermarket power supply, tonearm, bearing, chassis, wiring, platter, mat, clamp, feet.  Cost of parts - definitely north of 4K.

paraneer, perhaps I was not clear.  My issue was not just "really to do with the aesthetics".

The point was that after apparently a significant effort in engineering upgrades, Technics failed to provide much differentiation by model number or appearance.  That led many to assume it is a simple "reintroduction" of a basic, popular model at a much higher price.  It seems to me, and a few others, they might have done more to present this as a truly new model.  I don't own any stock in the company so it should not matter to me but I suspect this hinders their potential market. 

But weren’t those priced around $600? Can the new one be a "sure thing" at $4,000?!?

If the below report is correct the first 300 units of the 1200 worldwide were sold out in Japan in 30 minutes. Not bad for a reengineered version of an icon that has been brought back to market at 4 grand!
http://www.whathifi.com/news/technics-sl-1200gae-turntable-sells-out-in-30-minutes
Your post really has to do with the aesthetics of the TT and not the advanced engineering. I guess it really comes down to if one likes the looks of a SL-1200MKII. Two million people did before this reintroduction. So for those that do, Technics made the right call and made a classic even better.

Personally I like the look and coupled with the undeniable improvements and lab reports I have read, this would be on my short list if I had a budget of 4 large for a new TT.

pryso OP810 posts06-24-2016 1:44pmAndy, maybe so.  But weren't those priced around $600?  Can the new one be a "sure thing" at $4,000?!?

Bitcoin went up by more than 100times in 5 years since started trading so according to that proportion, so the new one at $4000 seems to be reasonable.

Andy, maybe so.  But weren't those priced around $600?  Can the new one be a "sure thing" at $4,000?!?

Maybe they figured that they have already sold over 2 million tables that looked very similar so why not stick with a sure thing?

As an owner of an SP10 Mk3, I have no problem with Artisan Fidelity.  Their workmanship and engineering are superb. Now, whether any amount of workmanship and engineering done to create a plinth are worth the premium they charge is not for me to decide.  If you add in the rarity of a Mk3 and consider their target audience of wealthy audiophiles and consider the cost of turntables that compete with their product in terms of sonic excellence, it makes sense, perhaps. It will undoubtedly make sense to whoever buys it.

Have you guys seen what artesian fidelity has done to one of the technics turntable's?, and they are asking  $29,000.00 for their modified table,  now that's stupid money. 

Pryso,
Some really good points. I thought they would go in the direction of the SP-10, or the SL-1000.  I'm sure that would have caused them to miss their targeted audience as the price point would have been at least double of what they are asking now.

The SP-10 was such a good table. A good friend still uses his 1970 model without any issues after all these years.. Certainly says something about Technics build quality.

Norman