I have an SL1210 M5G and bought an AT-PL120 USB 2 years ago for my stepson. The appearances are quite similar but the Technics is built to a higher level of refinement. Still, for $200, the PL120 is quite a bargain, giving you dead-on speed accuracy, 33/45/78 rpm speeds, and height-adjustable tonearm. Like the Technics its sound can be improved significantly for little money, such as better feet and/or isolation platform, a better, noise-isolating platter mat, and a better headshell. It's definitely my first choice at $200-300, and is a must-have for 78 rpm enthusiasts, both because it has selectable 78 rpm and pitch control, but also interchangeable headshells to make swapping between a microgroove and 78 rpm cartridge as easy as possible.
If you download ToneAudio's Issue 11, you'll find a pretty complete review of the PL120 by Jeff Dorgay, the publisher. While reviewing it from the standpoint of someone accustomed to very high end gear, he's very complimentary of what this turntable does at its price, and does some cartridge swapping to see what works well with it. The PL120 comes with a heavy-tracking DJ cart, and a swap to something else yields big benefits. The $50-ish AT120 cart would be a good place to start, but there are several good candidates. Jeff tried the turntable with the Ortofon OM10, 2M Blue, and Grado Reference Platinum, which was his favorite match.
Download the issue and read the review; I think you'll find it most helpful. From my experience wringing more performance out of the Technics, you can improve the PL120 in ways Jeff didn't mention, such as the vibration control measures I mentioned before.
If you download ToneAudio's Issue 11, you'll find a pretty complete review of the PL120 by Jeff Dorgay, the publisher. While reviewing it from the standpoint of someone accustomed to very high end gear, he's very complimentary of what this turntable does at its price, and does some cartridge swapping to see what works well with it. The PL120 comes with a heavy-tracking DJ cart, and a swap to something else yields big benefits. The $50-ish AT120 cart would be a good place to start, but there are several good candidates. Jeff tried the turntable with the Ortofon OM10, 2M Blue, and Grado Reference Platinum, which was his favorite match.
Download the issue and read the review; I think you'll find it most helpful. From my experience wringing more performance out of the Technics, you can improve the PL120 in ways Jeff didn't mention, such as the vibration control measures I mentioned before.