Technics 1200 which Mk?
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beatcomber
AK Member
I think aside from the SL-1200MSG and SL-1200GLD, which have improved wiring, they're all pretty much the same, aside from some extra DJ-oriented features on some of the models, which probably wouldn't have any audiophile application.
Details of models and differences here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200
I'd go for the most recent. Lucky enough to find a new Mk5 in late 2010 - great deck.
I'd go for the most recent. Lucky enough to find a new Mk5 in late 2010 - great deck.
LAB3
AK Member
My friend has a Mk5GM awsome turn table. :thmbsp: it has some mods from the factory the others don't have unless you send a a MkII etc to KAB.You have to look every day and have funds in Paypal ready to Buy. I see MkII etc in the $400.000 to $500.00 with a cart and dust cover that were Not DJ on that aucton site.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Mk 4 is Japan Domestic Market only, has the audiophile wiring and 78 speed. Mk II can be modified by KAB for 78 speed added. And is easiest to find parts for due to sheer numbers in production and use.
Panotaker
Well-Known Member
I believe the mk4 and mk6 where only available in Japan and Asia. They would be nice to have if you can find one. The M5G or M5 are probably the only ones you can still get brand new in a box. There are still some out there if you look. The M5G is the desirable one of those two, due to the blue led's, the digital pitch, titanium arm, improved tonearm wiring, and an excellent paint job. I believe the tonearm is only plated titanium. The 45 rpm adapter on the m5g is also plated titanium color. The SL-1200GLD is the top of the food chain in the series. It is basically a gold plated M5G with a beautiful piano black paint job. It also has a hinged plastic cover like the mk2's. I believe all the other models don't have hinges on the covers. They have lift off covers, but you can add hinges to them. The SL-1200LTD is also a gold plated model. It is basically a gold plated M3D. It has been a while since I have seen an LTD model, but i believe the whole platter on the LTD model is gold plated. I have a SL-1200GLD and it looks like the dots on my platter are painted gold, where as the dots on the LTD model are plated gold, and the only way to do that is to gold plate the whole platter. All the models have the same motor, so they are all basically the same, with the exception of the M5G that has a slightly different tonearm and the digital pitch. Most of us never touch the pitch control, so as long as the table holds a perfect zero, they are usually fine. Not all 1200's are full of scratches. I own 6 of them that are all scratch free, and I bought them all used, so they are out there.
Stanton681EEES
Addicted Member
Ya the SL1200M5G as others have said is a really nice table. The SL-1200GLD is a very rare and expensive table so unless you have very deep pockets I would choose the M5G
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
M5G is excellent unless you need the 78 RPM modification by KAB.
flavio81
Turntable technician
My advice: Forget about the 1200 and go for other Technics models that are as good and not as in demand. For example the SL-1500/1600/1700 line.
If you shop carefully on the user market, you can even get a SL-1100 for a reasonable price, which is a better built turntable and accepts interchangeable tonearms.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
The 1100 is the only other short of the SP line in the same league performance and reliability wise. If you must have automation, the SL 1500, SL 1600, and SL 1700 are still superb choices.
LAB3
AK Member
I was not aware of this info on the Technics, Thanks :thmbsp: I am wanting a second TT and my friend purchased a new MK5 Grand Master in 2009 and sent it KAB last year and spent more on it. WOW it is Nice. Did Technics make a Black SL1100? I want a second TT that I can install a SME arm on. My grown son has the vinyl bug so I am going to give him my PL-518X it was my Dad's so it will mean something to him to play LP on his Grand Dad's TT. Now this gives me excuse to ungrade and keep the wife happy.
Louis
Panotaker
Well-Known Member
The SL-1100A is an excellent turntable. I have two of those too. They are from the early 1970's and I have never done anything to them, and I DJed with them for 10 years. They where the top of the line model back then. They didn't make them in black, just two tone grey. You can still find them cheap, but they are getting up there in price. It is also built like a tank, and takes up a lot of room.
flavio81
Turntable technician
I consider the SL-1500MK2 superior to the 1200MK2 in every way.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
The 1500 Mk II is nice, but the SL-1200 Mk II is much more bombproof and same sound quality. And simpler mechanically. I like both turntables and have owned both turntables. Neither gave me issues. I like manual tables best. But automation is nice for some people. And the SL-1500, SL-1600. and SL-1700 are very recommended, especially in Mk II livery for those who like great automatics. But some parts for them are getting difficult to find. But they are superbly made and reliable as a whole. I like them as second turntables.
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LAB3
AK Member
I NEED auto return.... that is a MUST for me. I have fallen asleep playing some my partents old classical music I am unpacking.
I looked for months for that NOS Pickering stylus and paid wat too much for it. But I remember watching Mom play her piano while playing some of those old Lp's.Or I would have sold them all in Bulk to a local record shop.
Why? I have a 1300mk2, and I know the 1500 is its manual brother, but the cueing always breaks on these. Also it has a worse VTA adjustment, irreplaceable ICs, and a wiggly arm (that is prolly just a problem on my particular unit).
Ben aka MacKat
XJS_V12
New Member
Thanks for the input everyone!
Just wondering, with the Japan only Mk4 & Mk6, is there a voltage selector switch? Here in New Zealand we use 230-240V but Japan is 100-110V?
One thing that always puzzles me is that with the exception of the Mk4, all 1200/1210s used hard wired RCA cables and not RCA jacks, wouldn't jacks have better?
I don't need 78rpm, so what would be a better option soundwise? Mk4, M5G, Mk6?
Cheers.
Just wondering, with the Japan only Mk4 & Mk6, is there a voltage selector switch? Here in New Zealand we use 230-240V but Japan is 100-110V?
One thing that always puzzles me is that with the exception of the Mk4, all 1200/1210s used hard wired RCA cables and not RCA jacks, wouldn't jacks have better?
I don't need 78rpm, so what would be a better option soundwise? Mk4, M5G, Mk6?
Cheers.
Panotaker
Well-Known Member
I'm not 100% sure, but I think the only TT that had the 220 volt switch was the 1210mk2. Maybe some of the other 1210 models had it too. Someone here probably knows more about it than I do. My SL-1210M5G doesn't have it, so you probably have to use a step down transformer if you buy a USA table.
I think you can have any model modified to have removable RCA's if you need it. My SL-1100A has removable RCA's. Every time I take it out of storage, I have to find some RCA's to use it, where as my 1200's are ready to go since they are built in.
Soundwise, the M5G is probably the better choice since it has the better tonearm wires, but you can put that tonearm on any of the 1200's. You can spend a crap load of money modifying 1200's if you choose. I use mine stock and they sound just fine. A MK4 or MK6 would be nice to have for bragging rights, but where exactly are you going to find one. They pop up on the auction site every so often.
I think you can have any model modified to have removable RCA's if you need it. My SL-1100A has removable RCA's. Every time I take it out of storage, I have to find some RCA's to use it, where as my 1200's are ready to go since they are built in.
Soundwise, the M5G is probably the better choice since it has the better tonearm wires, but you can put that tonearm on any of the 1200's. You can spend a crap load of money modifying 1200's if you choose. I use mine stock and they sound just fine. A MK4 or MK6 would be nice to have for bragging rights, but where exactly are you going to find one. They pop up on the auction site every so often.
winters860
Super Member
Fellas... There was no 1500-1700 Technics series.
The sequences goes 1300-1500 (auto, semi, manual) and 1600-1800 (auto, semi, manual) for both the originals and MK2 series.
The 1600-1800 used a substantially similar motor, platter, and tonearm to the 1200 series, but on sprung plinths. The 1300-1500 series, while fine tables in their own right, were were built to be a less expensive alternative, and are a little chintzier all the way around.
I don't think there's a case to be made for any 1500 being superior to any 1200. The real comparison would be the 1800 vs. 1200. Unless you're a DJ who uses the sliding pitch control, I imagine it would be a very close contest.
Honestly, it's hard to go wrong with any table that starts with "Technics SL-" and is followed by a four digit number starting with 11 through 18. Pick based on availability, your budget, and the features you want.
The only models waving red flags would be the SL-1300MK2 and SL-1400MK2, which are prone to an internal gear cracking and taking out their auto functions. I've seen them repaired, but it's not an easy job.
I've had several - I currently have a 1700MK2 that needs a little work to get it back online. Eventually, I'd like to have another 1600 or, if I can ever stomach full manual, I'll bite the bullet and pick up the classic 1200MK2.
People running high-end tables tend to scoff at these mid-fi Technics direct drive decks, but I can't see ever seeking out anything else. Playing records on them makes me happy.
