Technics Turntables

[sobi]

I've had 1210's for just about 15 years now, and they treat me well. I've always wanted to upgrade to some of the newer models, and recently, that had me thinking...

For the most part, everyone who is into this type of thing always wants the newer model decks. Now I know this is a stretch, but I'm really starting to think that maybe it's not the best of ideas. Since just about everything is used at this point, I'm starting to think that maybe the older 1200 MK2 is the safest bet. All models are the best there are as far as turntables go, but the MK2 models have one thing that none of the other models have... 20 + years experience of being beaten on in clubs. There's really no reason why the newer models can't be as good, but it did have me thinking. Logically, the older ones were put together with components in a time where equipment was built to last. In the past 10-20 years, electronics have been manufactured with a disposable culture in mind. Granted... half the decks out there have been updated, repaired, and replaced with the same components that are in newer stuff, but I feel like a privately owned set of 1200 MK2's that were bought new in the late 80's-mid 90's wil be better than any turntable out there, and FAR more dependable. That being said, good luck finding and verifying that kind of find.

Discuss

[guiltyblade]

Totally agree. I bought a set of 1200 mk2 been through the wars and still trucking no problem.

[Mannylints]

yeah same here

[Patch]

Couldn't agree more. I have no idea if newer Technics are built to any lower standard than originals - but all of the MKII's I've had or used are solid as a rock.

I just wanna lose the zero click on mine!

[djdunamis]

The friends that have played on them a lot, most said MK5 or M5G models are good too, step up from the 1210 MK2. But yeah, MK2 tables are most common and stand the test of time.

I would like to get a pair of Technics as well one day, guess more for nostalgia purposes as well as playing. I'm gonna have to find them locally cause ebay wants too much.

[Xonetacular]

Honestly the only real difference you will notice and the thing I care about with all models after the MK2 is the pitch reset button. There are other tiny differences you won't notice, especially if you are modding them for LED popups anyway. If you are used to mixing on a MK2 fader with the quartz lock at 0 and like it no reason to change. M3D, MK5, and M5G are all the limited are all pretty much the same to me (I don't think anyone really uses the 16% pitch range on the m5g as much as they expect to and it didn't do much for me).

[audiolive]

From years of repairing and servicing Sl1200's and SL1210. I find the components are very much the same. There are slight differences like trim pots and slight component differences, diferent pitch fader PCB's etc but, otherwise they are all very much the same quality of build. In my mind I does not matter how old the deck is only as long as it has been well looked after and serviced through out its life.

Also I totally agree with the other peeps here that all the models in the SL1200 range are very similar in there make up. A few have little tweaks here and there but, to me they all have the same feel when your playing them.

[Nicadraus]

I've had so many Technics turntables in the past. My first Techincs was a pair of MK3 which I acquired in 1991. They come and go but the ones I kept and didn't sell are my MK3Ds (Japanese version of M3D) which I got in 2003. I've also owned MK2s, MK5s and M5Gs but sold them because the M3D/MK3D is the perfect model for me and these are my reasons why...

-recessed switch knob
-reset button. Not really necessary but it's coll having it.
-no "tick" pitch control (although this featire can be done on other lower/older models)
-I have no need for a 0-6 anti-skate adjustment found on the MK5, M5G/MK5G, MK6. Because if your tonearms are properly set and calibrated with your headshell/carts, then 0-3 is more than enough.
-I have no need for the extra pitch range found on the M5G/MK5G.

[Bassline Brine]

I also think there's something to be said for being able to play on the MK2's with it's different pitch slider than some of the newer models, with the click. I had only used MK5's before I bought my MK2's (at least in the 1200's range) and it threw me off a bit at first, but it was pretty easy to work around once I got into the swing of it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it right? Well, there's something to be said for the longevity of the 1200's in any flavor. I don't know enough about the internal components to make a real judgement call though.

But I do think it's easier going from a MK2 pitch slider to a new model (M3D, MK5, M5G) slider, and that's something to examine as well.

[audiolive]

I run M3D pitch faders in my MK2 decks. No real difference in them apart from a slightly different resistance calibration and of course no dreaded quartz click.