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
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 ?
david99's avatar
david99
1,467 posts
 
Im happy!
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
It's all true, Sean, but however the vast part of analogue performance depends on turntable rather than the arm meaning that Rega is nothing worth but the arm.
asa
662 posts
 
Oh my God, now looking at my TNT4/Graham2 I realize the error of my ways! Yes, yes, I know, not fair in a 1200/Rega comparison...

Yes, the high end is an incestuous marketing mill, but that doesn't necessarily negate all "hi end" products. That said, in my second system I love my 15 yr old LS3/5A spkrs, so I know what you mean.

I'm glad you guys are happy with your 1200's and your Bose 901 HT set-ups and the true money you have saved, but, if you don't mind, I'll pass...
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