Technics SL-1200GAE turntable sells out in 30 minutes
- Thread starter drzinc
- Start date
Steve The original 1200's were Hi Fi turntables with great specs an sound, if thess are 20% to 40% better at wow/flutter noise floor and vibration isolation they are worth the 4K they are asking. Many so called better tables are very finicky limited to a few cartridges and wont last as long.
No doubt the 1200s are very good tables, but they were never considered to be among the HiFi elite from a pure playback perspective. Now the SP10 .. different story. I owned 2 of the 1200s over the years .. solid, dependable .. but the tonearms weren't up to snuff with the better designs for pure playback (again .. great for a DJ).
From a DJ perspective, a direct drive system is needed .. faster to speed, able to brake quick, able to reverse .. but from a purely "audiophile" standpoint, the isolation from the motor a belt drive gives makes it a go to standard for most upper end tables. I also seriously doubt the new 1200s are 20-40% better than what you can find for 1/4 the price in another current model (like the Thorens TD-295 Mk 4 which you can get for $995).
They are iconic .. that's the reason they sold out and at an exorbitant price .. not because of their performance .. though I assume they are good performers as well.
AND I would have loved to get another for old time's sake .. if they were closer to $1K.
The 8 best vintage turntables and what to look out for when buying second hand
Gramophone Dreams #9
The 8 Best Vintage Turntables | Best Turntables
The Technics 1200 ranks slightly below the SP-10, but it is still a brilliant turntable that is consistently underrated by audiophiles. Perhaps this is because it is so popular as a DJ turntable. The Technics 1200 does not take much set up to be an excellent hifi turntable, and its durability is fantastic. Non-DJs will find the price a little much these days, especially when compared to other contenders on this list. A base level LP12 is nearly the same cost as a second hand Technics 1200 these days.
All say it is a good Audiophile table and an underrated one at that.... And that's the old model
Gramophone Dreams #9
The 8 Best Vintage Turntables | Best Turntables
The Technics 1200 ranks slightly below the SP-10, but it is still a brilliant turntable that is consistently underrated by audiophiles. Perhaps this is because it is so popular as a DJ turntable. The Technics 1200 does not take much set up to be an excellent hifi turntable, and its durability is fantastic. Non-DJs will find the price a little much these days, especially when compared to other contenders on this list. A base level LP12 is nearly the same cost as a second hand Technics 1200 these days.
All say it is a good Audiophile table and an underrated one at that.... And that's the old model
Though, if you read the entry in the first link you posted, the blurb on the 1200 starts with: Not, strictly speaking, the best hi-fi turntable that you have ever heard in your life, the SL-1200 is blessed with magnificent bass characteristics from its direct drive motor.
I'm still trying to get my Yamaha PX3 fixed (need new arm drive belt) .. if I can't find the right belt or get one made, I may look at a new Thorens TD 295 or a lower cost Denon DP-300F for home duty. I bought a Creek phono preamp years ago and haven't had a working turntable in the past 6 years to try it with. I also have a new in box Shure M97xe to put in.
Yamaha:
Yamaha:
Sweet ...I worker for two Hi Fi companies and they both gave away products to the sales person who pushed and sold the most of their products, on of my best score was this pair of electronics.
And a MC20 by Ortofon on a Dual Turntable
They don't look like the tonearm drive belt .. may be for the pulleys in the front of the picture below (might pick them up anyway for $12) ... it's a big flat belt that looks like this:
I haven't opened up my unit .. I suspect the small belts drive the mechanism that moves the large belt. Might be an easy fix .. there is a stereo shop down in New Haven .. they said they used to sell this turntable back in the day and can most likely repair it. I think if they can do it for less than $200-$250, it's worth it to me.
The PX-3 still sells for over $500 consistently on eBay. Was originally in the same price range as that Thorens unit you're currently considering. Not telling you something you don't already know, just trying to point out it's worth repairing the PX-3.
To a point .. there is another fellow that repairs the optical board that senses the belt/arm positioning .. $250-$300 for that service (component repair as there are no replacement parts). If I drop too much on this fix and then find out after I get it functioning that it needs the 2nd fix, I'm now out maybe $500-$600 .. not too far from a decent new one with a warranty.
That's always the dilemma. You have to make an educated guess (take a calculated risk). If you're wrong... oh well.[emoji3]
$90 when I bought this in Jan - OK, I admit I invested a little more to get it to this state and sounds waaaaay better than a SL-1200 after I fully tweaked it (See near bottom of the linked thread)
Vintage Thorens TD-165 Turntable for Restoration | Page 4 | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Incidently, this thread is the story from beginning to end just to show there are many little treasures for the taking out there that will easily save you $4K
Vintage Thorens TD-165 Turntable for Restoration | Page 4 | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Incidently, this thread is the story from beginning to end just to show there are many little treasures for the taking out there that will easily save you $4K
