AudiogoN Forums: Project Debut III or Technics 1200 MK5?

Project Debut III or Technics 1200 MK5?

Hey,

About to get my first TT in a long time and am on a tight budget. I have narrowed it down to a brand new Project Debut or a used, though not very muchl, in great condition, Technics 1200 MK5 for a similar price. What would people recommend? I seem to be reading conflicting things. Some people say go for the Project Debut as the it will sound better as the Tecknics is a 'DJ' turntable and not a 'audiophile' turntable. Others say the opposite and say a good Technics 1200 outperforms pretty much any entry level audiophile turntable. The other issue I guess in one is brand new and the other is used.

I'm leaning towards the Technics, I've used them before and like their robustness and the fact you can change speed at a touch of a button

Hearing_aid (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

12-29-09

Responses (1-9 of 9)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

12-29-09 With respect to the 1200 idea-it's cool, easy to use, speeds ... Lindisfarne

12-30-09 a rega p3/24 is 2 or 3 times the price of a debut iii. and a ... Johnnyb53

12-30-09 Yeah, i would like a rega p3 but even second hand they seem ... Hearing_aid

12-30-09 Hearing aid, you are correct. Headsnappin

01-03-10: Ekobesky
The Technics is a better table stock, and it has an upgrade path that the Pro-Ject simply does not. As time and budget allows, you can experience dramatic improvements by doing the following:

1. Add a Herbie's Way mat. Makes a very noticeable difference. Around $70.

2. Substitute a Sumiko HS-12 headshell for the stock shell. About $50. Adds mass to the arm, gives you a more stable and adjustable mount for high-quality cartridges.

3. Add the KAB Fluid Damper. Around $100, I think. Or perhaps change out the arm entirely for a Rega, Jelco or...SME 309!!!

4. Swap the feet or put it on an isolation platform.

5. Rewire the stock arm, if you decide to keep it, and it is good enough.

My SL-1200 makes music. It has the Herbie's Way mat, Sumiko headshell, AT disc stabilizer, KAB fluid damper and a Denon DL-103 cartridge.

I highly recommend the Denon DL-103 cartridge if your phono stage can handle it, but if not, get a Denon DL-110 or DL-160. Over the years, I've found those to be the best bang for the buck in terms of performance and synergy.

Good luck!
Ekobesky (Reviews | Answers | This Thread)

01-04-10 I pretty much concur with everything e kobesky recommended. ... Johnnyb53

01-04-10 I agree with ekobesky and johnnyb53. if you even want to tak ... Himiguel

01-04-10 Technics 1200 easilly surpasses the projects and rega's. go ... Genesis168

01-05-10 I love the original sl 1200 mk2 or 1210 mk2 with the voltage ... Msq100