How can technics justify $4000 for a new SL-1200 turntable?

Clever marketing convinces audiophools that a $4K Technics TT is "somehow" better than a $700 Pioneer. Branding and marketing are everything!

It’s a DJ TT, that is what it is designed for. I’ll stick to my upper mid range belt drive, plus mine looks better which is important to me. I use it every day, so if it looks like crap what’s the point. It should sound good, keep proper speed, and look good. Linn sondek had the magic/majik formula. 

The SL 1200 was introduced in 1972 for a price of $350. That amount in 2020 dollars is around $2200. So, to come up with a $4000 price for a new one, with newer technology, seems to include an "Audiophile Fee" for a re-introduced icon. 

I guess I would wait a couple of years for a used one to come up for sale at $2500 or so. 

@audioguy85  The Technics SL1200 series was never designed as a DJ deck with the exception of possibly the MK7. It was adapted by DJ’s, but it was originally designed as an audiophile turntable. 

Over the last 40 years, I've owned a Technics SL-1200, Technics SL-1600 MK2, Garrard 1229, Pioneer PL-1000, and a Pioneer model I purchased in Vietnam of all places.  I still have the 1600 MK2 and after 35 years, it is still going strong. 

A couple of years ago, I purchased a 1200G.  The first think I noticed was the build quality.  The 1200G might be a lot of things, but it is not a DJ turntable.  I would venture to say that anyone who's actually owned one would agree.  There's no comparison in build or sound quality. 

I've heard turntable/cartridge combinations that sound better than my 1200G/Ortofon Quintet Black combination - but not in that price range.