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Gemini XL400 II vs SL1200 MKII?

MeTaL_HeaD

MeTaL_HeaD

Member
Hey guys,

Whats up with this? It looks pretty simular to the Technics Sl1200... and it is decently priced - any simularities? pros vs cons? At that price, i might just pick one up for the basement if it is comparable...


http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...ble-With-Head-Shell-Needle-W0QQAdIdZ196822328

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It's a belt drive deck, with the exterior a blatant copy of the SL-1200 MK2.

Entry level belt drive dj table at $180, a far cry from the direct drive SL-1200 MK2 Technics currently selling at three times the cost (and for a reason).

Less torque, much slower startup, slower stop, inferior arm (adequate for DJ use but far from audiophile), can't touch the Technics rumble specs, can't touch the Technics wow/flutter specs, nowheres near speed accurate, no quartz lock.

A Chevette compared to a Corvette.
 
Interesting how they styled it to look like an SL-1200. Just goes to show you how pervasive that TT is in the culture. Also interesting is that it clearly says "belt drive". Completely different sort of creature from the SL-1200. I can't say anything about the quality as this is the first time I've seen one.
 
Maybe ...

I'm almost positive this deck is built by Audio Technica for Gemini. The arm looks like the current arm and gimbal made by AT. The controls are also from the AT parts bin. The arm is not bad, the gimbal bearings are good and the S arm is better than a short DJ arm. Looks like it's sporting some sort of beginner cartridge, but likely not a scratch cartridge.

I agree with the discussion about torque and start/stop speed. I also see a lot of wear on the corners? I guess it would be OK for a second system. It has universal headshells so you can have more than one cartridge mounted. IF the motor is offset to the left, it would likely be OK with Grado's.

Is the price Canadian $, or USA? I think you can get an ATPL120 for a few bucks more that will have quartz lock and other features like 78 rpm, etc. A real 1200 will be considerably more. Worth is in the mind of the buyer. If it's occasional use, it might be OK. So what is the intended use?
 
If you want to try to knock off the SL-1200 it's the XL-500II, rather than the XL-400II. The XL-500II isn't all that bad and is worth the pocket change they sell for on Craigslist.
 
I saw one of these Gemini turntables in a pawn shop recently. It's such a blatant rip-off of the Technics look it had me fooled from halfway across the room. However, upon close inspection, the fit & finish and general construction of it screamed "cheap junk."

I wouldn't buy one of these even if it were five bucks. I've got zero respect for manufacturers who 'knock-off' brand name products and sell crap.
 
That is an amazing look a like. I wonder... if you put on drunk goggles does the turntable look like the real thing?
 
cactuscowboy said:
I saw one of these Gemini turntables in a pawn shop recently. It's such a blatant rip-off of the Technics look it had me fooled from halfway across the room. However, upon close inspection, the fit & finish and general construction of it screamed "cheap junk."

I wouldn't buy one of these even if it were five bucks. I've got zero respect for manufacturers who 'knock-off' brand name products and sell crap.
Click to expand...

Do you recall how much they wanted for it?
 
From a service tech's point of view, the Gemini is a low-budget copy of the Technics. Many of the parts the Gemini will need are not supplied by the manufacturer. The set is fragile and has a comparatively short mean-time-before-failure. But, if you are operating on a very, very, very, very, very, very slim budget, I guess it will have to do.

Need I say more?

Fred
repairing audio since 1972

* * * * *
 
I own a Gemini PDT6000 and I can tell you now it's crap when put up against my Technics SL-D2 TT. The arm on the Gemini is a cheap copy of the Technics arm (I tried - without success) to improve the Gemini and what a waste of bloody time that was.

GO FOR SOMETHING DECENT! Don't shell out for junk, you'll regret it big style!
 
Bob_in_OKC said:
Do you recall how much they wanted for it?
Click to expand...

No. I didn't even bother looking at price. Had it been the 'real deal' (a Technics SL-1200) I would've been interested.

As a matter of principle, I refuse to support manufacturers who violate copyright laws and rip off other's designs. I have experience in product design and manufacturing (automotive & industrial gauges). I've personally torn apart and inspected 'brand name' gauges and 'knock-off copies of brand name' gauges. Typically the knock offs are coming out of China, and are of very low quality. My guess is that the Gemini turntable is junk also.
 
cactuscowboy said:
No. I didn't even bother looking at price. Had it been the 'real deal' (a Technics SL-1200) I would've been interested.

As a matter of principle, I refuse to support manufacturers who violate copyright laws and rip off other's designs. I have experience in product design and manufacturing (automotive & industrial gauges). I've personally torn apart and inspected 'brand name' gauges and 'knock-off copies of brand name' gauges. Typically the knock offs are coming out of China, and are of very low quality. My guess is that the Gemini turntable is junk also.
Click to expand...

I find it curious how much people try to get for these turntables. They really are pretty junky, even the direct-drive model. They're better than the ubiquitous USB turntables floating around the big box retailers, but they're still a bit of a sham.
 
One of the radio stations I engineer for had 3 XL-500 turntables which were new right when our company purchased the stations. After 6 months of service, they failed miserably. They were replaced by us with SL-1200 MK II turntables with Stanton 681 EEE-S cartridges. After 16 months of daily use, no issues and platter bearing oil and styli have been their only repairs. I have seen many a SL-1200 MK II be abused heavily in college radio stations and still be rebuildable at minimum cost and continue in service. You get what you pay for with these tables. Several other stations who used the knockoffs have had the same short lifespan and lack of spare parts.
 
Hah, I was just searching up on this model when i seen its picture. Did not really look into it as a serious purchese - just wondered really. But my suspicions were correct - looks like floating around these fourms are paying off!
 
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