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Technics SL-1200 series as an audiophile turntable?

Regarding the wood cases, it used to be labor was cheap, supplies were expensive.

Now it's cheap material, expensive labor (unless farmed out to cheaper labor forces).

These cases are hand-built in the states so the prices reflect the work of a cabinetry or woodworker craftsman.

An option is you can always build your own. I'd like to try with non-resonant MDF and cover it with a choice veneer.
 
With the KAB wooden case you can either:

A. Give your 1200 that Dual 1229Q look or
B. Get it closer to Matching your wooden boxed Mcintosh system.

:)
 
Joined The SL1200 Club

This afternoon I picked up a SL1200MkII that I won on the auction site. Paid $170, picked it up locally (Newton MA), it was an adult original owner since sometime in the 1980s. I checked it out and everything works includeing the lamps, just needs minor cleaning/mostly dusty from not being used for eight years, came with Grado cartridge and dustcover. For its age it's in very nice physical condition with only a couple of very small marks which will touchup and disappear. I'm still at work and won't be able to spin an LP till tomorrow morning. I'll be ordering some lubricating oil from Kevin since I doubt it's ever been replenished. I'm looking forward to hearing it spin.
 
Technics SL1200MkII

I had to get a magnifying glass to read the letters/numbers on the Grado cartridge, seller said it was a nice cartridge, it's a Grado G-1+.
 
We have a pair of SL1210s that were used for DJing. Now they're not really used any more, we're considering just keeping them for general listening decks. I haven't really seen many turntables, but it's hard to imagine how the actual turntable of the SL1200s could be improved.

There is one thing that is definitely worth mentioning for people that are looking to buy these decks second hand for general listening. It is quite a popular thing in the DJ world to defeat the Quartz Lock on these decks. This makes it easier to use the pitch control. The Quartz Lock is absolutely essential for general listening purposes, though, so make sure the deck you buy is unmodified! (Apologies if this is common sense :) )

This only applies to the MK2, I believe; the MK5 at least has user defeatable Quartz Lock in the form of a button on the deck so there should be no problem.
 
Technics SL1200MkII

Just completed installing the SL1200MkII, the TT checks out mechanicaly perfect and the Grado G-1+ sounds very good and will probably get even better after it warms up with a few hours playing. The only thing I had to adjust was the feet for leveling the table on the wall shelf, ran checks on everything else and it was right on (cartridge alignment,/VTA/anti skate/stylus pressure), virtually plug and play. Did a search and from what I read the Grado G-1+ is a very good vintage cartridge.
 
technics sl1200 series turntables

hi to all audio and technics lovers i'm new here - i wouldnt part with my sl 1200 i run it through 2 audio lab mono blocs with audio lab 8000q pre amp and 8000 cd player into monitor audio rs 1s and sounds fab. where else am i gonna get that build looks and functionality not to mention the sounds at that price. i wish now i'd kept my technics set up with its sea 2000 pre power amp hope to get it all back to technics one day

Benzlo said:
I know there are high dollar audiophile turntables out there that my Technics will never compare to.

However, I have (2) technics SL-1200 M3D (right aftre the MK II) that I used for DJing. I've been getting more into audiophile listening and I've got some decent solid state equipment and speakers.

I am wondering if anyone uses the technics SL-1200 series turntables for detailed listening rather than DJing. It's super strong DD motor is very attractive to DJs (who use vynil). I removed the DJ cartridge and put in a shure M97x and it sounds pretty good.

I also have a vintage Yamaha YP-D6 which sounds very good.

Does anyone else use a Technics SL-1200 series turntable in an audiophile type system? Should I stick with my D6?
Click to expand...
 
I am building a Mcintosh system and I am using my technics KAB modded table for vinyl. its holds its own quite well with a c28 pre and 2105 amp, the Mc's actualy showed me the 1200 can sound even better than it had before. I have an at150MLX on mine (for clean records) what do you use on yours?
 
Any Technics TT's in any modification is a great entry-level low-end TT suitable for DJ'ing and Radio Broadcasting due to it's sturdyness.

However, it is recommended, by user and e.g. BBC, to modify this TT until not recognisable anymore.
Platter, Bearing, Arm, Plinth, Power, Motor Control, Motor, Signal Path, Lid..... you name it.......anything!!!
I have even seen a modification to the better suggesting to alter the TT into a suspended one.

Buy different and get it right, or almost right, from the start.

"dolph"
 
niklasthedol said:
Any Technics TT's in any modification is a great entry-level low-end TT suitable for DJ'ing and Radio Broadcasting due to it's sturdyness.

However, it is recommended, by user and e.g. BBC, to modify this TT until not recognisable anymore.
Platter, Bearing, Arm, Plinth, Power, Motor Control, Motor, Signal Path, Lid..... you name it.......anything!!!
I have even seen a modification to the better suggesting to alter the TT into a suspended one.

Buy different and get it right, or almost right, from the start.

"dolph"
Click to expand...

spoken like somone who's never owned one! funny that you'd say "modifify it till its not recognizable anymore" It still looks just like a 1200. Those belt drive "Audiophile" tables cant even keep the proper speed, even some that own those tables will admit that. you need a speed accurate turntable, before you do mods. I dont know where you read that suspended platter idea as it pertains to a 1200. I did buy right and get it right from the start. Took me along time to get there because somtimes I used to believe what I read rather than try to experience something. Belt drive motors ( especially in the rega's for example) suffer from quality sacrifices to make the price what the market will bear, at the time period in which they were made. I have owned many other tables, even an SP 15. Those are a better version of a 1200....BUT they dont make the mn 6042 IC anymore, without that your (somtimes) $1500 plus turtable could turn into a doorstop at any moment due to the age of these turntables, it doesnt matter how much it gets used. the KAB modifed 1200 is the best turntable you can get for that price. All of the parts are still available, you cant underesimate how important that is. yep, you can get one of those old thorens or Garrard 401's, those are nice too, but they ususally need alot of work to get back to what they were supposed to be 40 years ago. don't knock em until you tried'em. Make fun of me for owning one of them, have fun doing it too, because I m happy with mine. no matter what anyone else thinks of it.
 
Mistaken........
I had, I tried, I listened, I dumped it.

Heard a lot of KAB modded and other attempts of making them better.
Just not succesful no matter what is done.

People just using Denon or Grado or similar very low-end Cartridges and then judge these Technics TT's to be better than belt drive is hillarious unaware.

"dolph"
 
you STILL missed a very important part of what I said. YES there are turntables that are better, but not for the money I spent. Really. was never really a fan of grado carts for the most part, I see why wome like them they were never for me. they sound really good on certain pressings, not so good on most others. As for denon carts, never had one.
 
niklasthedol,
The fact that you lump "any technics table" into the same category shows your lack of knowledge of the line.

I paid $330 for my 1200 brand new. Can you please inform me as to which new Belt/rim drive table that I could have bought that would best it for an equiviletnt price? It is the end all be all of tables? No. Is it an oustanding value? I think so.

I got sick and tired of the rim/belt drive tables I could afford drifting around on speed. It drives me nuts. I have not had that issue at all since opting for the Technics.

Steve
 
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No doubting that they're an outstanding value new or vintage. I once read in a magazine that some supermodel (forget which...) got a 1200 as a gift back in the late 70s when she was married and she still spins vinyl.

It's one hell of a solid deck which is why dj's use it but at some point audiosnobbery comes into play. Me, I prefer not to use Direct-drive tables but I refuse to get into that again.
 
Lots of generalities being throw around in the last few posts. Lets try to keep it civil, gents.
 
Does this mean that my newly acquired SL 1300 is a great turntable. From what I understand the only difference between it and the 1200 besides looks is the 1300 is fully automatic.
 
see lots of people on a routine basis, "score" and post about equipment I do not like, or wouldnt care to own. I just dont go into a thread filled with people who own said equipment and mock them, the 'no attitude" part keeps me posting on AK just as much as the "all audio" part does, maybe the 'no attitude" part might be more of the reason I like it here. I just didnt like the tone of dolphs post. if you like what you have, thats the point isnt it? If someone scores something they love that I dont like, I just dont post any comment at all and just think "good for them" I have had great scores I love, that others would care less for. and thats just fine.
 
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