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New Technics 1200

Now that the new  hyperexpeniveTechnics 1200 G   will be coming  out in several months,($4000?], I'm wondering what Audiogoners think would be the  next best thing [other than buying a used 1200 MkII] as far as the closest equivalency in quality and performance in currently production turntables? Examples are the Pioneer PL1000X, the Stanton :150, and the Audiotechnica 1240, among others?
boofer
raymonda
855 posts
 
For $4000 I can think of many other tables I would go for before the new 1200, even though what lays under the hood is apparently a much different beast than the older run. 

It just doesn't float my boat. On the used market that $4000 will get you a very nice spread indeed. I also feel my current two tables are better, although, they have been extensively modified and too are as big a departure for the originals as the new 1200 is from the old. But still I have way less than 4000 into each.

Keeping with the old design really is not a smart marketing choice for a new upscale table.

That being said, I imagine that after the special run is done the price will come down and the street price for a new one will be closer to 1500.

paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
I'm wondering what Audiogoners think would be the  next best thing [other than buying a used 1200 MkII] as far as the closest equivalency in quality and performance in currently production turntables? Examples are the Pioneer PL1000X, the Stanton :150, and the Audiotechnica 1240, among others?

The next best thing to a new SL-1200 GAE would be a good used 1200 MKII.  None of the other Chinese built SL-1200 knock offs will come close to a Japanese built SL-1200, new or used, when it comes to quality.  And the new one is built in Japan - I spun one around at AXPONA this past weekend just to be sure.  Its an impressive TT.

And while this table would not be my first choice for 4 grand, I also don't feel its that overpriced for what Technics had to do to bring a quality direct drive back to the market.  Remember, whether this TT trips your trigger or not, no other TT has exceeded the worldwide sales of the SL-1200 for both home or DJ use.  There's even one on display at the Smithsonian.  After the initial run of 1200 have been sold, I don't see the main production run selling for too much less than 4K.  If direct drive is what someone wants, where else is someone going to go  - the 30K VPI? 

raymonda
855 posts
 
(After the initial run of 1200 have been sold, I don't see the main production run selling for too much less than 4K.)

Actually, I seem to remember reading that the first run is considered a "special" run and limited. After this there is suppose to be a standard run and will sell for much less. 
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
That's magnesium chassis version. The aluminum chassis will be cheaper.
The deck is better than most Regas, Pro-jekts.
The standard version will be cheaper. I'd say that magnesium chassis version will easily outperform Rega RP9.
chayro
2,998 posts
 
Hard to tell from looks, but that tonearm looks about the same as the old ones.  Not a terrible tonearm, but I don't think I would use anything more expensive than a Denon 103 in it.  I guess if VPI can ask 20K for its DD, Technics can ask 4.  
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