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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 6 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
If you love technics that much and willing to spend 4k why don’t you buy used SP10mk2 with custom plinth of your choise and tonearm of your choise (all for less than 4k for sure)? With custom plinth it’s easy to swap the tonearms. Everybody knows how good is this deck.

I use a pair of SL-1210mk2 from 1996, even fully upgraded version (rewired, w/silicone tonearm damper, isonoe feets) can’t compete with my SP-10mk2 with EPA-100 tonearm. I also have rare Technics SP-20 which is also way better than upgraded SL-1210mk2.

You don’t need 4k to buy Luxman PD444 for example which is a great direct drive, probably best design ever made for 2 tonearms. I have one and i’m happy with it.

If i ever need another technics it will be SP-10 mk3


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I have scanned 3 pages of audio review from 1986 for rare Technics 205CMk4 cartridge. If anyone interested, you can find them inside picture gallery here and read. 

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
thanks for a link to this long Technics Company video, great experience.

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Strange feeling! Maybe because i’ve been using Technics SL1200mk2 on radiostations, in the clubs and at home for more than 20 years (because of my work). I still don’t understand why their luxury Porsche looks exactly like restored and polished classic Fiat.

P.S. Peronally i’m extremely bored of this design.
Will stick to my SP10mk2
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@audiolabyrinth 

seems audiophiles on this thread do not talk much,  not sure why?

depends on the thread, look for Raul's thread :)  
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I’m sorry, but Denon DL103R on stock Technics SL1210 tonearm is a total mismatch. Low compliance MC Denon 103R works fine only on high mass tonearms. Technics stock arm is ok for MM cartridges of medium compliance, it can handle 30cu compliance cartridges with kab silicon fluid damper, but your Denon is the oppisite story.

I don’t know anything about new technics tonearm, but do you think it’s better than top notch Technics EPA-100 or EPA-100 mk2 or EPA-500 (or any other vintage tonearms like Lustre, Saec, Micro etc) you can easily mount on custom plinth with SP10-mk2 for much less than 4k in total (most likely for half price) to spend the rest on some amazing cartridges.
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