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New Audio-Technica AT-PL120 or used Technics SL1200

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dav305z

Active Member
That's the question. I'm sick of having headaches with my old Marantz table, ad eventually want to upgrade to either of these tables. I'm not looking to DJ - they'd be for music listening only.

The good thing about the Audio Technica is that it's well within my budget ,and looks to be a near clone of the Technics. I've read mixed reviews about it. Some say its a raging bargain, others complain about the lack of grounding.

On the other hand, the SL1200 is the table I actually want, but I can't afford a new one. Even used, they seem to go for more than the new Audio Technica.

Does anyone here have experience with the Audio Technica? Is the Technics superior enough that I should keep my eye out for a good usd model?
 
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Technics. Those units are some of the best mass-production 'tables around, and many DJs swear by them. The AT is nice, but it's a me-too deck. What model Marantz are you running?
 
Also in case you didn't know The 1600 1700 and 1800MKII are also something you should look out for as well, these in some cases go for a lot less money than the SL1200MKII.
Build quality is as good and the arms are interchangeable plus with the exception of the 1800MKII these were in most cases never used by DJ's
 
I have both an SL-1200MK2 and an AT-PL120.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for. The 1200 will far out-perform the AT; looks can be deceiving. That said, the AT-PL120 is not a BAD turntable at all, especially for the price.

With the stock felt mat, it sounds a bit thin, and surface noise is actually more pronounced. An easy fix is to go to a craft store like Joann and buy a $3 roll of cork and cut out two 12" round circles and punch a center hole. Stack the two cork mats on the platter and raise your VTA to compensate. (The two mats will be about 1/4" thick.) The cork will shed dust for a few days, but it eventually will settle. The sonic improvement is considerable with the two cork mats.

The lack of an external ground on the AT-PL120 has never been a problem for me.

IMO, if you can find a way to gather the dough, buy the Technics. It is worth the extra bread. Nearly everything about the Technics screams quality, while the AT table is a bit on the flimsy side. Who knows how long it will live? (Mine has been going strong for three years, however. YMMV)

I bought my SL-1200MK2 brand new for $375 (SHIPPED!) in May, which is slightly more than what used ones go for. Go to www.hollywooddj.com and check their price, and then call Musician's Friend and get them to match it. MF will not charge you for shipping, so it's a better deal.
 
i had to make the same decision a few years ago. i chose USED 1200, i think i made the best decision.

it's a great great table.
 
Sure, you can find a used 1200 on Craig's List for $200 or so, but that can be a real crap shoot, from what I've heard. Unless you know for sure that the original owner used it only for home listening and not DJ'ing, I would avoid buying used. Worn bearings and bent platters are apparently not uncommon on DJ-abused 1200s.

When I went shopping for a used 1200 here in the Boston area, I couldn't find one for less than $320, and that one was pretty scratched up. (I only shopped at stores that refurbished their used stock, and avoided Craig's List.) You can see why I decided to buy a brand new one for $375!
 
I bought a 1200II very cheap where the tonearm´s bearings were badly abused. Bought a new tonearm, very reasonably priced, and quite easy to install. In principle a new deck, and really a joy to use. With an OM30 it sounds better than anything else`I´ve heard.
/gusten
 
The other alternative would be to locate a vintage direct drive table, like the Pioneer PL 600 (earlier model) that can hold a candle to the 1200, but can typically be had for much less. The PL 600 was one of Pioneer's best efforts in its day, and while it was marketed to consumers, it was also built to satisfy the needs of broadcasters. It's heavy, with a built in suspension system, decent torque (certainly more than enough for home use), and quartz locked speed control. It is also a fully automatic table.

I have both the 1210 and the PL 600. I use the 1210 for critical listening and the 600 for everything else. However, if I had to, it would not be out of the question for me to set the 1210 aside and use the 600 for critical listening chores as well. Its that good of a table.

I've got the OM 30 stylus with the older (non-DJ) Ortofon Concorde cartridge on my 600, and it is a wonderful combination.
 
Along the lines of the Pioneer tables.. Look around at the PL-55dx if you can.. A very nice direct drive simi-auto table. I've got one of these, along with a 1200, and like them both a lot... Even though the Pioneer doesn't have the quartz lock, it's still a very reliable and heavy duty table, that sounds great, and I would match up against my 1200 as far as reliability and build.
 
The 1200 is one the better tables out there. It may not be the end all. There are some fine Sony, Pioneer, Luxman, Kenwood, JVC, etc tables out there. The issue is it will take time to locate one.

I run the begeeus out of an AT120. But I have 5 tables and it is not the best one by noticeable margin. The margin is in two areas. S/N is not up to the same spec as the 1200. This is certainly noticeable at loud volumes when not actually playing (idling) and it has a minor hum with Grado cartridges. The 1200 will seem quite a bit quiter under critical listening and it is dead silent with Grado cartridges.

That said, the PL120 will do some things that the others won't like spin 78's with 20% speed range. It's not really a 1200 clone except in some looks and control placement. I bought mine specifically to spin 78's, but I use it for all of my used vinyl previewing. I do not use it for transfers to tape or digital. I use the JVC for that - probably as quiet as a 1200 and it has a very sweet arm with magnetic motion control.

The AT is a very good workhorse table for lots of jobs. It'll even play backward (forward/revers switch) if you want to explore some of the exotic 1960's LPs with embedded subliminals. I would not even try to make it a direct comparison to a 1200. Other than looks, it's apples and oranges. I'd buy an AT PL120 for what it does (very well), not as a less expensive 1200. You want a 1200, get one :)
 
Scorpion8 said:
Technics. Those units are some of the best mass-production 'tables around, and many DJs swear by them. The AT is nice, but it's a me-too deck. What model Marantz are you running?
Click to expand...

I have a Marantz 6170. It's not a bad table, especially considering I got it for free from my uncle, but it's a bit unreliable (20 years in a basement did not do it any good). I'm sort of in a Catch-22 situation now where I want to upgrade my whole stereo setup, but don't want to build it around a TT that could die at any point.

It looks like the best option for me then is to stick with the Marantz until I have the cash for a new or lightly used Technics.
 
Stanton681EEES said:
Also in case you didn't know The 1600 1700 and 1800MKII are also something you should look out for as well, these in some cases go for a lot less money than the SL1200MKII.
Build quality is as good and the arms are interchangeable plus with the exception of the 1800MKII these were in most cases never used by DJ's
Click to expand...
Yes indeed, don't overlook these. Used 1200s are often abused DJ machines. On the other hand, the equivalent 16/17/1800MK2 were home models that were better cared for on the whole. Even though the 1800MK2 was manual, it was less likely to be used for DJ than a 1200.
 
Save your pennies and get the Technics vice the AT. Do make sure that you do NOT get a DJ table. Those are usually trashed.

The recommendations for a good used table are also valid. Get a vintage table that has been refurb'd by a knowledgeable person; you shouldn't have issues and can enjoy a good table for a small budget.
 
Good advice, the only thing I'd add is if buying online used, beware of packing and shipping. The quality of packing varies a lot among sellers.
 
Hi,

Get the Technics. We made the mistake of trying the AT turntable. Bought 3. All had significant issues within 6 months of service (broadcast use). The 1200 is much better by miles. Much more reliable too! Avoid DJ abused units as these often have worn bearings or defective tonearm wiring or other issues. Also, many upgrade/tweak options out there for 1200 machines. Stock with a cartridge like an Audio-Technica AT120 E/T it's a superb performer and treated with care will outlive you. Build quality on one is superb and well crafted by hand in Japan. :tresbon:
 
There's an SL-1700 up for auction that doesn't power up. It looks like it might go for under $40. Does anyone know if there is a common fix for this issue? Is it worth taking a risk to see if I could patch it together?
 
I bought one that didn't power up and it had a ton of things wrong with it. I'd pass and look for something that does power on.
From someone who's been there.
 
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