Are Technics SL-1200 turntables any good?

Are Technics SL-1200 turntables any good?

The SL-1200, which was the catalyst for the birth of DJ culture, continues to be a de facto standard even after more than 40 years from its market release. The SL-1200 turntable series has transcended the status of being audio equipment and is now treated as a “musical instrument.” Technics turntables have a long history worth knowing.

What kind of turntable is the SL-1200MK2?

The SL-1200MK2 successfully responded to DJs’ needs. It was the bona fide model that changed the turntable from a record player to a “musical instrument.” The SL-1200MK3 debuted in 1989, ten years after the introduction of the epoch-making model of the SL-1200 Series, the SL-1200MK2.

What happened to the Panasonic SL-1200 Mk6?

In October of 2010 just as vinyl was staging its unlikely comeback, parent company Panasonic pulled the plug on the SL-1200 Mk6. Some speculated the move was caused by worn tooling or that production costs had soared or that the market was saturated with used SL-1200s or that with D.J.s “going digital” the market was collapsing.

What is the difference between sl-1200mk5g and SL- 1200mk5?

The SL-1200MK5G was positioned as a higher-end model of the SL-1200MK5. The most significant modification was the installation of a horizontal load adjusting mechanism at the base of the S-shaped tonearm. This mechanism helped prevent stylus skipping, thus allowing the DJs to better concentrate on the performance.

Careful attention to detail when setting up an SL-1200 will wring every bit of resolution for which it is capable, but this is still not a ton. The good news is that Technics has been building the SL-1200 for a long time and the core turntable mechanism (motor, base and platter) is robustly built.

Does the SME arm make the SL-1200 sound better?

Thanks to removing that big transformer from under the platter and adding the more robust external power supply, the SL-1200 sounds more open and focused, even with the stock arm. But when the SME arm was added, the table goes from capable to outstanding.

How much does it cost to upgrade an SL-1200?

There are a few different options to this series of modifications. The external power supply is about $450 at current exchange rates (£299), the arm board for an SME arm is £89.95 and they also offer a great mat for £89.95. A series of upgraded feet and a clamp can also be purchased to take the SL-1200 to the limit of its performance envelope.

Are Kab mods worth it for the Technics SL-1200?

The full suite of KAB mods certainly improve the SL-1200, the minute I drop a record on a Rega P5, or a nice used Linn LP-12, I’m still not that interested in the Technics. However, the rabid enthusiasm for the 1200 out in the world of internet forums has kept my interest piqued.