Just how good is the Technics SL-1200?

Oh Andy you had to break the silence and be that one fanboy.

I agree with Andy! It truly does compete with other turntables in its price range, and even beyond that. It's hard to beat the build quality as well. What's not to like?

At risk of jumping on top of the dog pile, I have owned a couple of SL-1200s (a MkIII and MkV) over the years, and they were OK. I will agree with Elizabeth; IMO it is a somewhat better than average cheap Japanese DD deck with a mediocre tonearm. While I have not owned a KAB modified version, I have used one and didn't find it to be all that much better.

Personally, for the ridiculous prices that are being asked for a clean, non-DJ'd SL-1200 I would hunt for a Luxman PD-121 or 131, a Systemdek IIx, a Rega P3 or a maybe even a Sansui SR-939. If I was feeling lucky I might look for a clean Oracle Alexandria. Just my opinion...

I am not sure that I qualify to be what Elizabeth calls a fanboy but I do use a Technics SL1200MK5 that I bought new on eBay last December, 2011. It is mated with a KAB/Ortofon Pro S cartridge and STY40 stylus. No headshell.

It took only twenty minutes to set up the table and cartridge and I was spinning my old vinyl from the 70's.

My albums sound great with black background, punchy bass, clear treble, and good sound stage. It is a big improvement from my old Luxman PD272 with a Shure V15type4 cartridge.

Well recorded albums sound alive.

The Technics is well built and its direct drive speed control is critical to good listening IMHO. I spent a lot of time researching this purchase and felt that belt drive is inferior unless you have a lot of extra cash sitting around.

So for about $1,000 I am in heaven with a table that will only get better with low cost modifications.

I have to agree with Elizabeth. That table is just not that great. If all you want to do is rock out, it would be fine. There are good things about it, and good reasons why the DJs loved it. But if you listen to classical or jazz, and want a table that has great resolution of instrumental timbres, a big soundstage, etc., look elsewhere. Also agree that the 1200's, especially the modded ones, are really overpriced. You can do much better for that money. It is certainly the least good of the tables I have owned, and I include a cheap Sony one in that list...