Why Isnt Techincs 1200 Considered Audiophile?

It was not designed as a "disco" turntable for deejays, 3 000 000 copies sold since it was made. It's bulletproof quality with only one main disadvanage when it's used by deejays and this fact is a proof that it was not primary designed for dj use. The disadvantage is a bass feedback if the big soundsystem is near (in the clubs) because of the poor desing of the original footers. Because it was designed for a home use as a Hi-Fi component for relatively cheap / affrordable price. 

Zu Audio - the manurfacturer of amazing full range speakers, also  tweaked Denon cartridges for years, now they are tweaking new Denon DJ turntable: https://www.zuaudio.com/turntable 

 

The 1200 is not a DJ table. It just has good Skookum. So DJ’s glom on to it.

As a past and present 1200 owner, I find this thread revealing.  There seems to be a definite bias against this turntable from a contingent of what I will call (for the convenience of this post) "true audiophiles."I became an audiophile the day I talked my parents into buying me an extension speaker (Realistic Solo 4) for my Panasonic portable radio/tape recorder.  I soon started buying records (which I had to play on my cardboard record player with ceramic needle). My Mom's furniture grade Silvertone console was off limits, but they saw my interest and got me a Garrard 55b and a Realistic receiver that came bundled with some rather remarkable B&O speakers for Christmas (around 1972).  When I went to college, I managed to scrape together enough money to buy a used Benjamin Miracord Elac which I mounted on 2x4s.  Ran that through a PAS 3x (I had to fix it, new tubes, bypassed the tone controls) Dynamo ST-70 (a kit I soldered together) and the B&Os.  I was able to trade something (which will remain nameless) for a Technics 1200.  I hung with a crowd that was anchored by a store in Urbana Illinois called Pro Musica.  We considered ourselves audiophiles.40 years and many turntables later, I was convinced by one of my old buddies (Geoff Poor/Glenn Poor's AV) to plunk some money down and wait several months for a new Technics 1200 GR.  I was initially turned off by the looks, but was impressed by the sound (we compared it to the twice as expensive 1200 G and couldn't tell much of a difference in sound, although the "G" does look cooler with the brass top plate).  Best turntable I've ever owned.  Audiophile quality?... by any measure I have a resounding YES!

I just purchased the 1210GR with a mofi MasterTracker cart and the performance is very satisfying.  I too was a little concerned about the DJ history since this was my first (well second because I returned the Rega P3 after 1 day)but reading all the reviews and listening to the recommendations of my dealer I have not been disappointed

This is an interesting topic. Here’s an observation.

My sl1200 mk2 vs $10,000 tt (you pick the model), I’m fine with mine being considered non-audiophile or not as musical.

What happens when a $50,000 tt (model picked by it’s passionate owner) joins the conversation? 

Is the $10,000 table still considered audiophile? Or musical?

I don’t think there is a correct answer, but my opinion is there are 
two main camps- 

Most gear below mine (investment wise) are not audiophile/ musical and those above are audio jewelry and really don’t offer substantial gain- 

or

Gear differs in musicality, there is no cutoff or magic number. We’re all working within a budget/ constraint/ preference that hopefully gives us enjoyment and return that justify our investment.

The best advice I have gained from these forums is from those in the second camp. 

Regards,
gary