2. analog
  3. 1020136790

Time to get things straight.

Every person that states the Technics 1200 is THE best TT in its price class risks himself to getting Flack from the belt drive crowd. I have posted that Thorstens speaks highly of it and here's some of his quotes as posted in the Asylum:

"And yes, the 1200 with a better arm is dynamite. Even stock with minimal tweaks it's an easy Rega P2/3 killer."

"So don't knock it if you don't know it. A Rega Planar is a cheap bearing and Motor stuck into a piece of MDF, the engineering content for all intents is ZERO. The only worthwhile thing on the Rega is the Arm."

*********

And from Steven Rochlin:

"Hmmmm... I DO AGREE that the 1200 does not have the overall "ultimate" PRAT of my VOYD setup (or a finely tweaked Linn LP12), though overall it really does have nice, smooth, consistant PRAT that blows away even the $20k+ Goldmund Reference and the like. Maybe the 1200 does not the worlds best PRAT, but DARN good. Over 10,000 dance clubs around the world prove it virtually every night."

"The Technics SL-1200 in its various offerings are EXCELLENT!!! Do not listen to those "belt drive only" folks. Wonder if they know that the highly praised Goldmund STUDIO turntable was direct drive? Anyway, the 1200 is probably THE BIG BARGAIN in turntable land. Great motor, good platter, built to take a lickin' and keep on tickin' (with apologies to Timex, whose watches ALWAYS broke after a month for me).

"Over the MANY years I have used more than i care to remember 1200 tables at MANY clubs. They ALL worked flawlessly and even after all the, er, um, abuse of back scratching and needle dropping and vinyl dropping they just kept going and going. IMHO there is pretty much nothing on the new market under $800 that comes near the 1200 in speed stability, drive, and overall PRAT (pace, rhythm and timing). Given the right needle i can only see great things UNTIL you get the upgrade itch and go for a used Linn LP12 or VOYD. Besides, what other "audiophile" table would you play Led Zeppelin backwards to hear all those Satanic messages? Oh how about ELO backwards to hear the secret message?"

****

Wake up, people!!!

So much for glass and particle board...
psychicanimal
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I've had Rega P3 for a few weeks and realized that it was a mistake for me not to pass on Rega for more serious analogue equipment. Rega played fine only on the first groves of the record but then everything degraded and any of my cartridge mounting excersises weren't successful. So the only thing that left from my Rega is arm that had been recently(3 months ago) modified with Incognito kit and heavy Clearaudio counterweight.

So as you can see I'm not Rega enthusiast as well and I do believe that the motor they use can be successfuly applied onto kid's toys and the glass platter is the most successful media to transfer all its vibration onto the vinyl surface.
twl
3,251 posts
 
I totally disagree with the idea that Rega is overpriced. They are some of the lower priced tables on the market. The Nad version is commonly seen for around $250! How much cheaper do you want? The complaint of quality level is unfounded because the price is so low that it will never have the quality level of a Linn, Clearaudio, or anything like that. But, I don't see any $250 Rockports out there for sale. And I might add that the Rega arms are found on the most high end tables quite frequently. I don't have a Rega, but I used to work in an audio shop that sold them. I A/B's them against many other tables, including Technics, and they consistently provided better sound than the mass market stuff. A Rega Planar 2 will destroy a Denon DD turntable that was 3 times the price of the Rega. And the Denon will eat up any Technics SL1200. I have personally witnessed this dozens of times. If Thorsten actually believes what he writes, then his ears are seriously in question. Another thing that cracks me up is the mention that MDF is a cheap substandard material in comparison to the injection molded plastic of the SL1200. In fact, I can't even believe that this conversation is taking place! What planet are you guys on? Do you really think that the Technics SL1200 is an unknown secret that nobody ever heard about? Do you think that if it was really good that vitually no audiophile would have it in his system? The last time I had this argument was in 1980. This is not just beating a dead horse, this is digging one up that has been buried for 20 years and beating it some more! If you think the SL1200 is good, then go ahead and listen to it. But don't embarass yourselves in front of the whole world by publicizing it. I'll agree that the SL1200 is a workhorse that is good for "disco scratching" and "back cueing" and other abusive activities, but I am never going to buy the idea that is even approximates the level of a good sounding turntable. I have compared and I know.

david99's avatar
david99
1,467 posts
 
Psychicanimal has always pushed his TT on others here.
His bias is obvious as is Marakanetz's comments.
I have only seen a Technics on TV in rap videos.I have never heard one or seen one in a high end shop.Maybe that says alot,maybe not.
Many bash Stereophile reviews.Thats fine but one reviewer who has always seemed to be on the ball is Mike Fremer.He hears and reviews more tables than probably anyone in the world.It would be my guess he has had contact with and heard the Technics tables somewhere in his travels.It seems if these tables were that good he would have had one in his hands by now.
Everyone knows the Rega reviews by now.No need to defend Rega guys.

jimbo3
304 posts
 
C'mon guys, give Psychic a break. He's extremely knowledgeable. For example- he's the only one who knew that the 1200 has a direct drive motor that doesn't need to contact the platter in any way to drive it. Magnetic Pulse Drive I think he called it. Very high tech- Scotty used similar technology when the Warp Drive was about to blow and it kept Capt Kirk from falling into Klingon hands. (I saw it with my own eyes and I'm sure that Psychic can verify it, too.)

Also, if you get the 1200 and do all the mods yourself, it'll be better than a TNT and you'll have only spent about $1500. Better yet, when you go to sell it, it'll fetch upwards of around $150. Talk about a great investment!!

Please, everyone, do yourselves a favor and get yourself an SL1200 and a pair of 901's now and avoid the rush!!
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
The comments on the glass and thr particle board being cheap are correct. That's why Rega is a good design ... because the money is spent where it matters. On the arm. A good design spends the money where it is needed and saves where it is not.

The technics is also a design classic ... but for a different market. Why can't we all be happy ?
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