Sell 1200s or buy TS A10?

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
1

Sell 1200s or buy TS A10?

It’s bothering me that my TTs are just sitting around. I have an SL1 but no desire to use SSL. I’ve pulled it/them out a few times over the past few weeks, but i always end up packing them back up and putting my traktor controller-only setup back together.

I figured out how to fit everything in my space after a bit of carpentry…I’d just need to add an A10 to be able to use timecode whenever I so desired.

I don’t scratch. And, I’m sold on sync and the workflow I have with X1s and an F1 or Maschine (though I keep thinking about adding one more controller to use Ableton as an effects processor). I’ve been the happiest for the longest spinning like this, first doing it in like 2010. I keep coming back to it.

I was excited about picking my 1200s up from where they were in storage, but…I just haven’t used them. I don’t think I’d actually ever use them except for just watching wax spin in front of me while I either do other things with the controllers or idiot-white-boy-dance like I do now.

It doesn’t really make any sense at all to use them.

But, I’m having trouble with the decision to sell them. Part of me would rather let them go to someone who’s actually going to use them. Another part of me is a bit sickened by the fact that I wouldn’t pay today’s market prices for 1200s and will probably never own another set. That being said, they’re just silver mk2s that are in decent but not perfect shape. If they were M5Gs, this would be a totally different conversation.

If I sell them and the other gear I don’t use anymore, it should just about pay for the monitors I want, but I don’t really need the money to do it, just to feel better about it.

Also, I kind of want a new audio interface at some point. The A10 would be a downgrade from the FW410 that I’m currently using in terms of raw sound quality (27dBu louder THD+N). There are (perhaps audibly?) better audio interfaces around for similar money. And there are a lot of better ones available for more. A Fireface UCX/UFX is probably drastic overkill at $1600/$2300, but a Scarlett 18i20 should be audibly better for the same $500 that the A10 costs.

So…what would you do?

2

well from the standpoint that you have no use for them, i would put them away for 10 more years or more to let them build more value. they will never go down in value unless they go back into production. just buy the monitors and consider the 1200s to be like a couple ounces of gold in your closet.

3

I dont know man, I think the same sometimes, but then I play with those massive heavy DVS jog wheels, and I remember why i love TTs. I just get pleasure out of manually beatmatching and the sweet slightly out of phase sounds you get from it over sync.

My permanent setup at home is TA6, taking turntable input from TTS and outputting to an Ecler Nuo 2 mixer, with Traktor in external mode.

I have an X1 on each side of the mixer.

So if I decide I want to play records, then i dont have to do anything except press a button. If I want to do cue point DJing, then I can just use the X1s, and not run the TTs. Or any combination of records and digital files.

Having this permanently setup is just super fun and allows me to play as the mood strikes.

4

Id sell them. You clearly have no desire to use them permanently in your set up and it doesn’t sound like DVS is really something that appeals to you long term.

Nostalgia can play tricks with your mind. You don’t buy gear as an investment. Ultimately you buy gear that gives you enjoyment. When you don’t enjoy something it becomes redundant. When it’s redundant it’s time to get rid.

5

A rotary mixer with no turntables is just wrong Mostapha :wink:.

6

For me there are two ways of looking at it-

If you aren’t desperately in need of the space and you don’t need the money then I wouldn’t sell them- you say you would rather let someone have them who is going to use them regularly but there are literally millions of Technics out there, it’s not like they are in short supply- you aren’t depriving anyone. Anyone who wants a pair can go and buy a pair. Keep yours and if 5 years down the line you get the hankering for regularly spinning on them you are good to go. And if you need a new audio interface anyway, get the A10 and you have all bases covered.

On the other hand if you would rather free up the space there are a ton of Technics out there so it wouldn’t be any hardship buying another pair in the furture. And if you are not heavily invested in the cult of the 1200 then there are plenty of other turntables out there that will suit your needs should you want to get turntables again in the future. Sell them and use the money to buy the monitors- then if you want a pair of TTs in 5 years time buy another pair of 1200s/xyz brand. I really don’t think you would have to pay any more for a pair than you could sell yours for now.

People keep saying that the price of Technics are going to increase and that they are an investment but I just don’t see it myself- not in any vaguely short term anyway. There are so many out there and they are so popular, not to mention the ease with which they are repaired/rebuilt means there will always be a ton of them in circulation.

When I brought mine 18 months ago I had a browse on the classifieds and had six different sellers within just a 5 mile radius. I didn’t even bother buying a pair together, I brought the best two from two different sellers and still got a great price on them. It was definitely a buyers market.

My personal opinion would be to keep them and buy the A10 so you are covered should you wish to spin vinyl / dvs in the future. But if you really can’t afford the space I wouldn’t have any hang ups about selling them. 1200 mk2s are not exactly gold dust. :slight_smile:

7

You KNOW you don’t want to sell 'em!!!

Seriously - even if you don’t scratch, mixing with TT’s and Traktor is lots of fun. It’s ALL of the benefit of decks, with NONE of the down side (heavy vinyl, crates full of records, changing records, etc…).

Decks + an F1 and an X1 will be LOTS of fun (my set up is Decks (+ DJM-850) + F1 + Zomo MC-1000 - and I LOVE mixing like that…)

You know you want an A10… :+1:

YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!! :rage:

8

You have seen my 40 year old SL-1100A turntables in my setup. I have had them forever. They have been in and out of the closet, the attic, the garage, a thousand times. I have tried every type of DJ equipment known to man, from newer 1200’s, to CD players, to all type of controllers and DVS systems. I keep trying to find different setups that emulate my original, old skool setup with the 1100’s and the Bozak rotary. Well, here I am 40 years later, and the 1100’s and the Bozak is still my main setup. They are now hooked up to an A10, and I do most of the work with the X1mk2 and sync, but the turntables are still there, even though they aren’t doing much except play the mp3’s. You have seen my videos, the mixes are super smooth with the giant setup that I have, but the truth is, I can do the same exact mixes with just the Z1 and the X1mk2, it’s just not the same thing. It’s a whole lot more fun using the turntables. I thought about selling them plenty of times. I’m glad I never did. I kept saying, one of these days they are going to invent something that will make these old turntables fun to use again. Well that day is here for me.

If you don’t need the money, put them in the attic, the garage, or the closet. You never know what will be invented in the future that will make them fun to use again. You also never know how your space will change in the future. You might end up with a big ass house with a dedicated sound room where you can build yourself the ultimate DJ room you always wanted. Sure you can sell them and buy another pair in the future, but you only have your original pair once, and that means something. When you get some extra cash, send them out to get a fresh paint job to make them look new again.

I don’t know if you ever worked professionally or not as a DJ, but I was a club DJ for a long time. So to me is about sentimental value. That’s mainly the main reason I never sold mine, and I am glad I didn’t. Set them up or put them up, but don’t sell them. If you do, you will eventually regret it, unless they don’t have any sentimental value to you.

9

Panotaker - so much truth in that post! :+1:

10

Setting up in the booth is a bitch, though.

This!

11

Sell em. You answered the question in your post - the only use you’d probably get out of them would be to watch a record spin around. You’re sold and happy with your workflow.

I’d sell them and use the money towards a Fireface. RME’s are insanely good quality, drivers and support.

12

Sell em…to me. :thumbsup:

13

Thank you all for your thoughts. I want to respond to one thing, but I’d appreciate other opinions as well.

Pano, your post speaks the truth, and you know in respect your opinion. But…

I already sold my original pair. Several years ago, my setup got hit by a power surge related to a transformer exploding down the street from my fraternity house. My surge protectors couldn’t handle it.

My losses were the output transformer on my mixer, the power input wiring on one of my 1210s, the motor on the other one, and my laptop power adapter (but not the laptop, monitors or amp, thankfully). My m5g survived, and I played the party that night using input reverse and SSL, running sound from the effects send knobs from the broken mixer.

I had been contemplating a change anyway, and at the time, 1200s and 1210s were plentiful and under $250/each in good condition. And i didnt have the money to fix them or buy another one at the time. So, I sold them and SSL at a loss to finance controllers to try out Ableton live. I still think that was an enjoyable experience. I know it was a mistake.

If these were my 1210s, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. If they were M5Gs, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. If Atlanta still had a b&m shop for new dance vinyl, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

But, M5Gs in Atlanta cost more like $700-1000 each when you can find them, except for a couple abandoned Craigslist postings. Maybe I’ll spend that eventually, but there are a lot of other toys higher on the list.

That’s why I said they were just silver mk2s. I have nothing against silver technics or mk2s…it’s just that THOSE silver mk2s aren’t special to me.

And, yes, the idea of a big NY-style console with TTs and controllers and a rotary and good speakers appeals to me a lot. I just don’t picture these decks in it.

14

Well I guess you answered your own question then. I would sell them and buy one M5G and then save up for another one. Just keep looking on craigslist in your surrounding area that you are willing to drive to, and sooner or later, one will show up, or put up a want ad. It’s your setup man, do what you want. Although it looks cool to have a pair of tables next to a rotary, you really don’t need them with Traktor. I plan to use my new portable rotary with just an Audio 2 and my X1mk2, and no I haven’t got it yet. Good luck in your decision.

15

Mostapha, you have clearly put a lot of thought into whether or not to let them go. Deep down, you probably know what you want. Flip a coin - heads or tails. Heads you keep them, Tails you sell them. When the coin is in the air, you will find yourself hoping that the coin lands a certain way. What you find yourself hoping for - do that.

16

I agree with putting them in stock for another ten years, but first get them revised (or how you call it) so they will even make a better buck.

17

Yeah, that’s what I miss about vinyl; the phase cancellation going in and out when you get the mix tight - Fucking great!

18

Does anyone here think the introduction of the Pioneer decks will decrease the value of the Technics? Granted there are other Super OEM decks out there, but I don’t think any have come close to really “duplicating” the Technics like the Pioneer’s have supposedly done? Just curious others thoughts out there…haven’t touched one of the Pios BTW.

19

I actually did this, and my hope switched back and forth. The coin came up tales, though.

I think what this means is that I want turntables…just not those turntables.

I noticed today that one of my local shops has a gorgeous set plugged into a Z2 to demo TSP. I need to bring in a USB key and go have a play…see if that’s what the solution is.

If it is, I might see if they’ll hold them and maybe I can get people to just give me money for Christmas instead of a bunch of junk I don’t want or need. They’re no more expensive than cdj-900s, which puts things in a bit of perspective.

I’ve touched one but not mixed on it. I haven’t felt all of them, but it’s the best-feeling superoem I’ve had my hands on. The platter feels more solid and the buttons are nicer than Stanton, AT, or Reloop, and the tension on the pitch fader is great.

It’s a great deck. For that price, I’d rather have M5Gs (if you can’t tell, I really like them). But the plx1k is a damn nice silver medal. I made fun of them when they came out at that price, and they are lacking in features, but don’t think I’d fault anyone for getting a set if they wanted something new with a warranty.

It’s not the normal pioneer “nice because we sag it’s nice” toy feel.

(Sorry to pio fans, but even 1000s and 2000s feel like toys to me…they always have)

I actually always hated that. I mean, it was cool to essentially have a bass EQ built into the platters. But, I never liked how it fluctuated.

Fwiw, sync and software will still do that, it’s just that the default sensitivities for pitch bend controls are way too high to take advantage of it.

20

I don’t think they’ll affect the price on Technics, personally I would never buy a pair, not only a lot more than Tech’s, and I dislike Pioneer but.. this may sound silly, but why oh why would you put a round friggin play button on, irritates the hell out of me. Oh and blue leds everywhere.