I literally sold millions of dollars worth of Technics and traveled to Osaka twice because of that. It was truly a legendary brand. We often struggled to meet the demand. The brand wars were real. Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha, Harman/Kardon, Hitachi, Kenwood, Sherwood, Marantz plus many lesser brands as well as more esoteric brands (McIntosh, Luxman, SAE, Phase Linear, Carver) all fought to win marketshare. It was fun when people wanted the best not the smallest.
Nothing will ever beat the best . The best is LARGE pro P.A. without a doubt. You just can't move air with mini system speakers. Sure they are loud but that's about it.
....i remember that during the 90ies there were also parallel brands as an example JVC components were Technics components under a different chassis, also AIWA components were Sony components in a different chassis as well as Sansui and Akai, and there were also tight collaborations like the one between Philps and Marantz on CDs mechanics and electronics.
As a former DJ and record collector, I proudly keep my pair of SL-1210MK2 turntables, purchased brand new in 1994, and still spinning in near mint condition 29 years on.
i´m sure of working with SL-1200MKII in late 80´s ,this because a person who i worked for bought in 87, 6 turntables SL-1200MKII for it´s night giant club with 3 diferent dance floors or 2 and a bar opened till 2.00 in the morning, restaurant with live music , and the most giant dance floor with a lake (it´s excused to say that the fishes died and the people dived many times till he covered the lake) having professional JBL speakers in all his rooms or stretching 1990 but i´m sure they were released in early 80´s or were they the SL-1300 or 1500 with digital strobe and velocity % with the litle light to see the grooves in darker places
They were made to last and if properly serviced stay in good condition. However, DJ turntables which are technically superior as well as a lot cheaper have been introduced since, by various brands who all release their own versions of the same Taiwanese Hanpin Electronics DJ-5500 from 2003. In the Netherlands, the world's capital of electronic music and DJ culture, the SL1200s were outsold by a large margin by these OEM designs back when I got into DJ-ing around 2005. Also, the now-defunct Vestax brand sold technically superior turntables of their own design, but they were as expensive as SL1200s.
My uncle had a SL1200 MK1.He got it brand new when they came out. 25 years ago. He passed that turntable over to me. To this day it is the center piece of my audio system. I have been offered a lot of money for that turntable. I have many listening hours with my uncle and I on this table, and with my daughter and I. I will never sell it. I will pass it along to my daughter before I pass. Just as my uncle did for me. It is now a family heirloom to me.
I just love reading and hearing stories like this.The thought of music through a cherished high end component being passed on to a different generation family members is a great story. Proof that good music on a nice high end system brings people together.👍
they came out longer than 25 years ago but were still producing them 25 years ago. I got my first pair of 1200MKII 31 years ago in 1991. I bought them with my own money I made working as a teen.
I just love these audio history lessons. I bought my first stereo in 1975 so I have seen the glory of vintage audio when it was new. My wife surprised me with a Technics CD player in 1985. It was the cheapest she could find at 300 bucks.
My first deck was a Technics SL-QD33. I think it's the perfect turntable for someone just getting into vinyl. Those P-mount carts are so sweet and easy. Now I run a 1210gr (before they stopped making them in Japan, luckily). Will never own a belt drive again.
I have the SP-10R on an Artisan Fidelity plinth using a Graham 12" Phantom III tonearm and SoundSmith Sussurro. I couldn't be happier with the performance. It replaced a VPI after 25 years of service.
My Technics SA-1010 from 1983. I have the military commissary version with switchable voltage that has the big power supply and is 600 watts at the plug and is conservatively rated at 125 WPC at 8 ohms, but is actually north of 150 WPC. It cost $850-$1000 brand new in 1983 and it still functions perfectly.
As a dj for 36 yrs i was devastated wen technics stopped production of the 1200s in 2010 & then was ecstatic about their return in 2019 I love my 1200s since i got em in 1991 wen i was 16 now im 48. Turntables forever!!!!!
I'm a dj too and always wanted Technics. I went from Omnitronics to digital and now want the classic setup. Might even get a Condesa mixer for the full analog vibe
I wasn't devestated because I had a pair. :) it's dumb what Technics has done in the last 20 years with all the so called 'audiophile' upgrade versions that still just don't have the charm and the prices are ridiculous. Why they just didn't keep making the same thing is beyond logic.
@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 A lot of Asian companies are still family owned and operated no matter how huge. Chalk it up to each successive generation becoming greedier and putting money over quality, craftsmanship and subsequently alienating their loyal customers.
We were worried too, until their prices fell when many switched to CDs and then laptops for DJ-ing. Other companies took over turntable market for hi-fi systems, probably because a lot of people never accepted direct drive or wanted something looking less industrial. It is great to see LP's come back.
My favorite brand in the 80's and 90's. I still have and cherish their brochures of that era. Recently purchased the SL-1500C turntable. Lovely machine.
I owned countless Technics products over the years. For whatever reason I’ll never forget the model number of my first Technics CD player - SLP230. I currently have and still use a 20 year old SA-DX930 receiver with the built in 5.1. It still works as well as the day I bought it. I miss Technics as much as I miss the 90’s.
When I was working at Panasonic in the 1990s a Japanese engineer came down from head office and we got talking about this and that. We were chatting about the new amplifiers from technics, and he suddenly scolded me for mispronouncing Technics. No, he said, it is pronounced "tech-niks" not techniques. I smiled, apologised, and we moved on to other subjects. It's always stuck in my mind. The Japanese are fiercely loyal to their brands as are there engineers, like when I was working for Sony, I had to be known as a "senior Sony audio technician" or " senior Sony audio engineer" when being referenced to in any paperwork or interviews. At the time I probably would've answered to anything 😛 but there you go. They particularly hate it when someone pronounces their products as "Sunny" or "Sonny" to a point that they will never speak to you again. 😁
Panasonic matsushita electronics was started by joint venture with PHILIPS.,in thec1950s. Philips owned 35% of matsushita for decades sold it off in thec80s. Now they sold everything,including biggest lighting div in the world..Panasonic became biggest consumer electronics company after philips..now neither one does consumer electronics..Panasonic make the best bathroom vent fans silent and powerful
CD was brought to matsushita by philips a full working cd system,philips invented it...matsushita didn't want in,so they went to sony...weird even though philips owned 35% at the time..now Samsung and LG took over consumer electronics..philips and Panasonic bailed on the business..since patents are off cd technology philips no longer needed it..they used to make almost $1",billion in royalty in everything cd...poof now all gone..philips is now just Healthcare razors hospital,medical sonicare...they even owned Marantz Grundig bo,akg,selmar instruments pokygram...and on and on,all gone now
The weird 'techniques' mispronunciation of the name was confined to the US (maybe North American) market. The rest of the world pronounces it as the brand owners intended and the spelling clearly indicates.
Thank you so much for your time and effort to bring this history of the iconic Technics marque. It will always hold a special place in the audio community.
I remember being in my local Sears store back in the early '90s and seeing a cool Technics receiver. I was amazed at the large tuning knob that felt like it was riding on an air bearing. I've never owned any Technics, but that turntable is enticing me.
No one can match the precision electrical and mechanical Wizardry of the Japanese! When they put their $$$, heart and soul into their work, nothing compares to their engineering masterpieces!👍
I worked for Technics Musical instruments from 1980 until end of production in 2004 as national service manager / engineer. Technics was very strong in the marketplace and ran neck and neck with Yamaha and Roland.
I still own my SL1200 MK3 turntable in black, bought over 30 years ago and still works and puts out some serious sound. Another great vid, it really makes me think back to all of the awesome stuff I was able to hear and see not only from Technics but from Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood, Marantz, and many others that are now either gone or no longer putting out any of the great stuff they used to.
I watched this looking across at my 1987 Technics SU amp, still working. 36 years of service is a testament to every component and the engineering right down to the capacitors.
Imagine my excitement when Technics planned to make a comeback nearly a decade ago. Although I am happy about their return, some of the prices of their turntables and amplifiers are rather steep.
@@TheBebe666Partially true. I paid about $350 for my SL1200MK2 back in 1985, which is about $1000 today. An "equivalent" SL1200GR is about $1800 currently.
When I was a kid I used to covet the "all in one" cheap hi-fi systems that look like seperates, but aren't. By the time I was about 15 I had saved up enough money from washing cars, mowing lawns and delivering newspapers to buy myself not a budget crappy hi-fi, but a base model Technics X1 system. I loved that hi-fi so much, and later added a CD player and graphic equalizer / spectrum analyser to it. I hammered that system every day for years, it broke down several times over the years and I got it repaired. In the end I had used it so much and for so many years the entire thing was just worn out. I think I gave it a good life 😊it certainly gave me a lot of pleasure.
Technics isn't a dead brand, as long as Matsushita is still around making under the Panasonic name there isn't much stopping them rebooting their Technics brand.
My dad bought a Technics hi fi system in 1992. We weren’t into record players and this set didn’t come with one as the CD market was really taking off. It came with a 5 disc changer; separate tuner, equalizer, and a dual tape deck. That CD player was a beast. I’ve never seen a player that could find tracks on a disc as fast as it could. He still has the set to this day and it still sounds great.
My late elder brother bought a Hi-Fi Technics rack system about 1989 or 90. I remember going with him to buy it. It had the five disk CD changer and though the CD changer seemed lightly built it was quality. The CD player was exceptionally fast. Wish I would have held on to it.
Our family had two rack systems from them in the early 90s. They were very clean sounding compared to the other offerings of the time. I think they were both 135W class g or h amps and the towers were loaded with twin 10s and the latter model had a 10 and a 12. The 5 disk CD player was really fast to seek, as mentioned above. Both systems served us well.
I bought the following in Technics gear high school 1980 ish. ST-8077 Tuner SH-8020 Graphic Equalizer M33 Tape Deck SU-8077 Integrated Amplifier SL-D3 DD Turntable SL-10 Turntable Get this, I still have all this gear! I even have a photo from that time wearing a Frostline vest, long hair standing in front of my system. Thanks for the video, needless to say, I loved it!
Lenny, the current Technics product line is very impressive, you should consider adding it to your new product offering. Just Audio would be a perfect retailer for the line.
As a Technician in a club, 1210 MKII's are essential. Such a brilliant piece of machinery. So when we got hold of 2 newly rereleased 1210 MK7, I was super excited to plug them in and try them out. First impressions were..not good. About 4 kilo's lighter than the MKII, which is death sentence in a club becuase they need the weight, so we knew we had to fiddle a bit with the bass frequency's to eliminate the feedback. OK, no problem, but through out the weekend, all DJ's complained there was high frequency feedback. Total disaster. It took us a few weeks to work out the frequencies that had to be taken out, so the were playable. We had a closer look why there is this problem, and we realised technics had gone down the path of the pioneer record players, and used cheap aluminium tone arms. I really have to ask myself why, it makes such an unpleasent experience to play records at this level, and they cost minimum 750€. give me the MKII any day.
Tonearms have always been cast aluminum. The problem is the mk7's body is hollow inside, the mk2 is solid. GR is closer, but only the G model rivals the older MK2's in terms of build quality. Not surprising since it was the first new model out of the gate.
Excellent history lesson about a truly iconic brand. I sold audio at Franklin Music in Atlanta @ Lenox Square. Had a older friend who worked for Panasonic in Atlanta, and I purchased my Technics M45 cassette deck, at his recommendation. Sold it in the 2000's to a guy that was working to assemble a Technics all-format system. I have now retired, and am building a little vintage audio business. I have picked up a couple of "vintage" Technics receivers. Thanks again for assembling this episode, and allowing some us to cherish that iconic brand's evolution. On the hunt now for some Technics speakers....Rip
I’m proud to still have my Technics turntable I purchased in high school in 1985 ! And I love the audio History journeys that you’ve been taking us lately! “Just Awesome “ !
I own the mid 70’s rack mounted Technics 9600 series with the RS-9900US tape transport system, only thing I’m missing is the outrageously expensive reel to reel, took me a few years and lots of patience to acquire all the pieces and put it together, love the sound, also told my wife she can do as she pleases with the whole thing, after I die. Love your videos sir, keep them coming.
The RS-1500 2 track was used by many studios as a mix-down deck when they were just starting out. When they became successful and moved up to the Ampex, Scully, Studer, MCI, and other great machines, many kept their 1500's as a back-up. GREAT MACHINE! I am very fortunate to own one.
Early 1990's Technics turntable. Used until early 2000's, stored 20 years. Brought out of storage in 2015 and replaced P-mount cartridge and it worked flawlessly. Gotta love direct drive technology, no rubber belts. Put back into storage around 2019.
Thanks for the audio history lesson! My 1st serious amp was a Technics back in 80. Unfortunately it didn’t last but it was fun while it lasted. A blast from the past. Keep up the good work!
funnily, i entered the vinyl collecting/listening late 2022, going straight into first turntable, a used SL1200 mk2. And it has been the best audio purchase that i have ever made till date lol. Its a freaking tank , even when its switch had issues (i repaired it effortlessly, checking youtube vids). Technics is a legend. looking forward to buy their newer / more advanced turntables in the future
They went every bit as hard into cassettes as vinyl - all of their high end cassette decks are quartz lock direct drive. In fact, I think they might have been among the first if not THE first to do that with a cassette deck.
In 2011 - the heart of the vinyl resurgence I bought a used Technics SL-10 linear tracker from eBay. It was in perfect working order, I remember taking it out of the box and studying it for at least half an hour before I even plugged it in . I loved that turntable so much! 😀👍🏿
Really enjoyed the walk down memory lane. Panasonic was my first stereo back in the 1970's. So many similarities I see in Technics face plates. Nice summary!
I remember buying my first pair of 1200 turntables! I worked my butt off to purchase them on my own. Scratching and beat juggling was seamless. Thanks for another great video!
Dude. This was awesome. You’re quite a storyteller. I have an Sl 1200 r and it’s the star of what I believe to be a great system. She holds her own with DCS digital with external clocks and 15ips 1/4 inch tapes. Your video made me fall even deeper in love with my turntable. Thanks.
Wow!! Thank you for this history on a fantastic brand!! It was really something special to have Technics equipment back in the 80s/90s. Personally I had the “stereo stacks”…top box was the turntable, followed by the AM/FM tuner/amp combo, next was connect the dots equalizer, the dual cassette player/recorder decks and the ultimate finisher: TALL TOWER Speakers!!! With the glass door to protect the stack!! Hell yeah!
I am still glad I have my 2 Technics turntables from 1978 and my tape deck from about 1984. They need some service now, but I know they will serve well for the next 40-50 years and sound great.
Great story. I have the SA-GX530, double cassette deck RS-TR333, CD changer SL-PD8 and a SL-1800 manual turn table, gret sound and performance. Looking to upgrade to a SL-1200 MK series turn table, just to keep with the nostalgia.
My 1st stereo in the 70's was a Technics SA-5570 and I still have it today. I also bought an SLD2 turntable but that was damaged in a move. I purchased both from Stansbury Stereo in Dundalk MD. To complete my setup my final purchase from them was an Onkyo cassette deck. I really had a wonderful system for a 16 year old.
I owned a lot of their products. Lost most of it because I couldnt settle down and constantly moved around. I regret it today. Watching your video brings back fond memories.
IF Nakamichi could release a new "Dragon" then Technics could definitely make a big come back providing they have the Management and Technology to do so. Remember that most of the great sound engineers and Heads of management are now long gone and New managers don't seem to have the passion and drive to create great products again, they are mostly concerned with short term profits. But it would be great if Technics could bring back some competition and raise the bar for product quality again.
One of my favorite things to do when I was around 9 back in 1977 walking to the local Radio Shack store and just hanging out for as long as they would let me. I marveled at everything in the electronics department but I absolutely loved just going down the hifi aisle and looking at the Technics gear. Even to a little kid whose parents were not interested in audio equipment and who knew little of nothing about what makes a product good, better or best, I felt like the Technics stuff was so much better than the Tandy and other brands they sold and I always spent more time looking it over. I'd sit in the floor in front of the speakers and just look at them and, on occasion when the store wasn't too busy, they'd let me put some music on and sit in front of a system listening... all the while my contemporaries were throwing balls and chasing them around, lol. I had no interest in that, I was an audiophile and didn't even know it.
Technics pioneered the world of the DJ.Paved the way for Brands like PIONEER of today.Still Dj on my 1200 mk2's 20 years later. You will never beat the Vinyl sound.
I've had a Technics CD player since the 90's and I have only very recently replaced it in my stereo setup and I have not put it in the scrap bin, The reason I replaced it was I was bored with looking at it after so long, It still plays with no blipping or skipping and plays CD'S as beautifully as it did when I first got it, But I'm blowed if I can remember when I got it.
Great series... Kudos! My first system was Technics SU-Z11 amp, SL-D202 turntable and SB-4 linear-phase speakers. A great entry system back in 1981, have been using it until the end of nineties. Turntable is still with me, 40 years on :)
I ran 2 SL-1200 MK2s, professionally installed with all the rest of the equipment in a roller rink that was converted to an ice rink in Cary, NC. Original install, custom loud speaker builds, and all upkeep was done by Creative Accustics, Raleigh NC. The 1200s had in there center the normal DJ equipment, mixing boards, mic, ligh controls, et. al., but when I took over duties in '89, we added a CD player, and a twin cassette players, both by Technics. I still to this day miss those MK2 1200s...
I never really used them for listening to high end audio... I just remember back in the day when DJs still used actual turntables, you weren't taken seriously in the DJ scene unless you had a pair of 1200s. They were guaranteed to always work correctly and their durability was unmatched.
One of the saddest days of my life when I heard that Technics was closing shop. I live in Kuwait and one of my fondest memories, while I was a school student in the 70s and 80s, was the Technics showroom near my place. It was so impressive, and I would go into the show room to listen to not just the music but also the sound of music that was being played on those awesome audio arrays. Those product images are etched into my mind. I could never afford to buy one in those days and by the time I could, Technics was no more. Never could imagine at that time how the audio landscape would change so dramatically. Salute to an Awesome brand.
Being a Technics owner, and to those who never owned a Technics product, this is one interesting and informative video that was well researched and written and enjoyed very much.
I currently own: SA-GX470 A/V Control Stereo Receiver SH-GE70 Stereo Graphic Equalizer RS-TR333 Double Cassette Deck SL-PD867 Compact Disk Changer SL-J11D DC Servo Automatic Turntable System (linear tracking) Technics 5-piece speaker system (can't get to the model numbers) The tape deck and CD changer are linked with a cable to allow synchronized recording from CD to cassette. I used that alot to prevent damage to my CD collection (hot car). The turntable tracks normally, except during playback. I have a service manual, but I haven't had to time to dig into it. The woofers in the tower speakers are shot, but the rest still work well. Everything else worked perfectly up to the day I put them away about 10 years ago. FYI, Matsushita is pronounced Ma-shu-sta :) Great video, thanks for the memories!
I was very fortunate to have found a vintage SL-B100 belt drive turntable at a Goodwill late last year. I've been made aware that it's a more entry level device than Technic's other products, and it needs a new belt and possibly a new stylus after decades of use, but once I obtain them, I'm confident that it'll live up to their high standards even after all these years.
To me, I think Technics was best known for their turntables. I’m not saying their receivers, tape decks and speakers were garbage, they just weren’t as dialed in as their turntables were. It’s kinda like Nakamichi and their tape decks, they made other decent gear but they were most renowned for their cassette deck build quality and innovation.
I loved my 80s - 90s era Technics gear. My final setup of SA-R377 reciever, SH-8055 EQ, SL-PG40 CD player, RS-TR575 cassette deck, SL-BD3 turntable, and SB-377 and SB-CR33 speakers are all stil in perfect working order. My stack has been 'acquired' by my kids who have rediscovered vintage sound. And who can't love that dancing Technics equalizer display?
Love Technics gear. I still have the SL-D2 turntable that my Dad bought in the late 70's. He also still has the CD player and amp bought in 1986. Fantastic kit.
BRAVO !!!! as DJ 36 years of my life I use the 1210 mk1 for years with the 90's dance/hip hop tunes......when the first CD player start to be part of the normal for some DJ's I have been developing in my head a new generation of 1200 with features I don't see in any turntables from other brands, if anyone is able to get me in touch with Technics Designers I will only share this idea to them and I am sure 100% of the success of the product ! thanks Ricardo Del Rio
I've deejayed on several 1200s as a teenager but never had the fortune to own them. This is the first video I viewed of yours and it was pretty enjoyable, considering it was about something I could relate to.
Back as a teenager back in '80s, my friend had the best stereo component setup in a rack by Technics. I could only afford a cheap Magnovox all in one with turntable, tuner, and cassette.
Back in boarding school the best stereo on campus was a Technics and I was in awe of it. I've owned a couple of pieces over the years but these days I only have a SL1200 mk7 turntable and I love it. I don't think I'll ever sell it, why would I? Just change the cartridges over the years.
I bought a lot of Technics equipment in the 80s and 90s. They were my favorite brand. I still have my SL-D2 turntable that my mother bought me for my birthday in 1980 from Silos. I also have a Technics cassette deck. I’ve been pretty much been buying Denon receivers lately.
My dad bought a huge rack system in about 86'. Beautiful system. loved it. So i bought mine in 90'. Beautiful system and slightly larger than my dads. I parted it out in the 2000s and that was that. So sad i did that. I cant afford to replace that thing now. It would cost 4-5000 . My friend had a pioneer and it looked great, but you could really feel and see the lesser quality
Think it's worth mentioning that the new Technics stuff is exceptional... I purchased one of their all-in-one players - the SC C70 - a couple if years back and it led to four of my friends subsequently getting themselves one too. How often does that happen?🎶
I've owned several 1200s in the past when I was into DJing and I'm still running modern 1200s now in a HiFi system; a 1200M7L and 1200G. The 1200s are probably the most archetypal audio devices I grew up with.
I used to have a hifi with Technics amp, tuner, CD player, cassette deck, turntable, and graphic equaliser (SH8055). I don't remember the other model numbers, but I still have the Technics SL L1 direct drive computer-controlled turntable, and I still use it (having the service manual helps!). It was all decent well made mid-range kit. Then I started making more money and moved on to a Linn system (keeping the old turntable!).
My first amp I had when I got into hifi separates when I was 13 in 2001 was my dad's old technics suv3 and it was fantastic sounding, I could never see the point in streaming as found it a totally inconvenient format ,I've also got a technics minidisc deck in my system and typically technics it's working faultlessly.
when I first left school in the early 90s and started my first proper job and saved up my first few weeks wages' I went into my local hi fi store and bought myself technics hi fi separates ,I still have that same system today ,although not used as much as ive move on to higher end audio equipment , that hifi still holds a special place in my heart and once in a while it gets powered up and played
I used to sell Technics gear. Good, solid and reliable. I don't think you mentioned it in your vid, but the Technics 315 mini Hifi stack systems were massively popular. We sold a truck-load of them.
I had a Technics receiver in the mid 90s. I think I bought it new at my local Sears, along with a pair of Cerwin Vega bookshelf speakers, & a CD player. Back then I was happy with it. I thought the receiver amplifier's very low signal to noise was just supposed to be there. My hifi system now I won't get into details about, but it has zero audible noise in the signal.
As a DJ I had 2 SL-1210mk2's, but Technics wasn't really innovating it's turntables. So a pair of "Super OEMs" replaced my 1210's. They felt so much stronger and didn't have the 0% click (or pop up light). They also had more range and more usable features. The only downside was when playing in club with 1210's, the Technics felt like cheap turntable when slowing down or speeding up the record with my fingers.
i'm a Technics Fan since the day i like to listen to music! Altough I sold my First Technics Sereo system: tape deck RS-TR 373 and SL-PG 390 Cd player together with a SA-EX120 Receiver... i bought a more high end one and i'm still using it: an SU-C800U Mark2 pre-amp together with a big SE-A900S Mark2 and a SH-GE90 Graphic Equalizer.. and guess what powered the sound of this video too :P
Fantastic video. Loved it. I’ve got numerous turntables, some being pretty high end, but my main deck has somehow always been my SL1200 M3D. which I did a bunch of upgrades and modifications to over the years via Kevin at KAB. The table was fortunately never DJ’d, so it’s in excellent condition. It is just extremely easy to use, bulletproof, built like a tank, and easy to work on should anything go wrong, which is unlikely. Thanks again. Appreciated this vid. 🔊😊🎶
Am I the only one who misses their wonderful and sometimes goofy rack systems?! Totally miss all those packaged rack systems from Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc.
Nice video, learned a lot. I put together a component system of Technics equipment in the late 80's. I'm still using most of it today, the cassette deck and turntable are in storage. Most people are amazed at the touch face adjustment of my Technics SH-8046 stereo graphics equaliizer. My Technics SU-Z980 Amp powers the setup which includes a Technics ST-S98A tuner, a Technics SL-PD5 CD changer, and a pair of SB-L76 speakers.
Except for my open reel, which I have an Akai GX-77 and a Teac 4070G, all my equipment is technics. I have an SL-Q2 turntable , twin RSM-260 cassette decks, and a SL-P2 CD player. You just can't beat the elegance of the brushed aluminum front panels 0:28
As a high schooler in the late 70s and some college in early 80's. Nothing was more evident than the HiFi stereo Wars. Even with all the great names that were available at the local Tech Hi-Fi stores in Massachusetts in the 1970s and 80s such as Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui ,Marantz, Harman Kardon, etc, among my friends in Massachusetts you were considered a second-class hi-fi nobody if you didn't own Technics. And another very important issue which this video does not mention Technics products were also priced right many times offering superior quality and sound for less money. However at the turn of the Millennium 2000 consumer base turn to much cheaper and smaller products like Apple iPods, Home theater and flat screen TVs portable CD players earbuds for cell phones etc. Post 2000 really spelled the end for the Hi-Fi stereo audio equipment that we knew from the 70s and 80s. Now if you'll have a home theater and sound system and it's not a Bose you're considered a nobody. Technology always changes the marketing landscape.
Added note: It seems that the Technics SL1200 by Pioneer crossover is what led us to the confusion between the 2 brands. Again - great episode! 👍👍👍💫💫💫💫💫
I recently stumbled across a pair of three-way Technics honeycomb disc speakers. They are just like regular speakers, except they have a flat panel instead of a cone... Tweeter included. They sound absolutely great and are in pristine condition.
My setup consists of a Technics SH-8033 EQ/Spectrum Analyzer, Technics SL-P370 CD Player, Roland TT-99 turntable (basically a Technics 1200MK7 copy), and a Marantz 4430 receiver. That Technics CD player alone made me pause on LP collecting and start CD collecting instead because it sounds super clean & rich.
There was also a brand glut within Matsushita itself. Panasonic was the video brand for TV, VCR, videocams, despite being the same company. And also, not 12v audio, which also kept the Panasonic label. Then, there was combo-stack stereos they sold under both Technics and Panasonic at the same time. When the chips fell, and the tide rolled out, portability and ubiquity completely crushed quality, and anyone running with as much overlap as Matsushita was in deep trouble by 2004 if they hadnt already course corrected.
I know this channel is based on hifi gear but surprised not to mention the technics dip into Dj CD decks, the SL-DZ1200. A crossover from the SL1200 mk2 using same direct drive motor. Just a shame they never took off and updated as they looked and played amazing, this due to pioneer's cdj's being industry standard. Owed a pair of both types of decks over the years and wish had kept them. Also got a technics mini stack hifi for Xmas as young teenager, great quality system that begun my journey into love of music.
Excellent overview of the History of Technics. They are indeed fabulous long lasting products.I have an SL120 Direct Drive Turntable which in England permitted the use of an SME pick-up arm which was sold as the finest in the world at that time (3009 Series 3) - still rare for a Japanese company to have allowed that collaboration. I have the SU C 1000 MK2 Control Amp and two SE 1000 Class AA MOS Power Amplifiers with the very large power meters. These are great for bi-amping. The Control unit has a rechargeable battery to allow pure DC operation without the noise of a transformer.
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Really Dude... "Tech-NEEKS"?.... How can you not know it is Tech-NICKS.
I literally sold millions of dollars worth of Technics and traveled to Osaka twice because of that. It was truly a legendary brand. We often struggled to meet the demand. The brand wars were real. Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha, Harman/Kardon, Hitachi, Kenwood, Sherwood, Marantz plus many lesser brands as well as more esoteric brands (McIntosh, Luxman, SAE, Phase Linear, Carver) all fought to win marketshare. It was fun when people wanted the best not the smallest.
Better Days.
Well also the best and smallest with the sl7 an co 😉
Nothing will ever beat the best . The best is LARGE pro P.A. without a doubt. You just can't move air with mini system speakers. Sure they are loud but that's about it.
These days, the talk is about the quality of the stereo effect from speakers that are 1.5 inches apart, on your phone.
....i remember that during the 90ies there were also parallel brands as an example JVC components were Technics components under a different chassis, also AIWA components were Sony components in a different chassis as well as Sansui and Akai, and there were also tight collaborations like the one between Philps and Marantz on CDs mechanics and electronics.
As a former DJ and record collector, I proudly keep my pair of SL-1210MK2 turntables, purchased brand new in 1994, and still spinning in near mint condition 29 years on.
i´m sure of working with SL-1200MKII in late 80´s ,this because a person who i worked for bought in 87, 6 turntables SL-1200MKII for it´s night giant club with 3 diferent dance floors or 2 and a bar opened till 2.00 in the morning, restaurant with live music , and the most giant dance floor with a lake (it´s excused to say that the fishes died and the people dived many times till he covered the lake) having professional JBL speakers in all his rooms or stretching 1990 but i´m sure they were released in early 80´s or were they the SL-1300 or 1500 with digital strobe and velocity % with the litle light to see the grooves in darker places
Me too.
They were made to last and if properly serviced stay in good condition. However, DJ turntables which are technically superior as well as a lot cheaper have been introduced since, by various brands who all release their own versions of the same Taiwanese Hanpin Electronics DJ-5500 from 2003. In the Netherlands, the world's capital of electronic music and DJ culture, the SL1200s were outsold by a large margin by these OEM designs back when I got into DJ-ing around 2005. Also, the now-defunct Vestax brand sold technically superior turntables of their own design, but they were as expensive as SL1200s.
Pricey these days :-)
Same here
My uncle had a SL1200 MK1.He got it brand new when they came out. 25 years ago. He passed that turntable over to me. To this day it is the center piece of my audio system. I have been offered a lot of money for that turntable. I have many listening hours with my uncle and I on this table, and with my daughter and I. I will never sell it. I will pass it along to my daughter before I pass. Just as my uncle did for me. It is now a family heirloom to me.
I just love reading and hearing stories like this.The thought of music through a cherished high end component being passed on to a different generation family members is a great story. Proof that good music on a nice high end system brings people together.👍
I'm very fortunate to still have my first SL120 and 1200 turntable both in very good condition, have to service them 😊
they came out longer than 25 years ago but were still producing them 25 years ago. I got my first pair of 1200MKII 31 years ago in 1991. I bought them with my own money I made working as a teen.
The MK1 came out in 1971, the MK2 in 1978…
@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 😂😂😂 Leave him be Man... He's talking about his Uncle. RIP "Unc"
I just love these audio history lessons. I bought my first stereo in 1975 so I have seen the glory of vintage audio when it was new. My wife surprised me with a Technics CD player in 1985. It was the cheapest she could find at 300 bucks.
What Technics products have you owned? What Technics stories do you have? Let me know in the comments
My setup that I'm still using today is SA-GX100 Receiver, M240X Cassette Deck, SL-PS900 CD Player & SL-P370 CD Player.
My first deck was a Technics SL-QD33. I think it's the perfect turntable for someone just getting into vinyl. Those P-mount carts are so sweet and easy. Now I run a 1210gr (before they stopped making them in Japan, luckily). Will never own a belt drive again.
SL-1210MK 2
Sb 7000a speakers
I have the SP-10R on an Artisan Fidelity plinth using a Graham 12" Phantom III tonearm and SoundSmith Sussurro.
I couldn't be happier with the performance. It replaced a VPI after 25 years of service.
My Technics SA-1010 from 1983. I have the military commissary version with switchable voltage that has the big power supply and is 600 watts at the plug and is conservatively rated at 125 WPC at 8 ohms, but is actually north of 150 WPC. It cost $850-$1000 brand new in 1983 and it still functions perfectly.
As a dj for 36 yrs i was devastated wen technics stopped production of the 1200s in 2010 & then was ecstatic about their return in 2019 I love my 1200s since i got em in 1991 wen i was 16 now im 48. Turntables forever!!!!!
I'm a dj too and always wanted Technics. I went from Omnitronics to digital and now want the classic setup. Might even get a Condesa mixer for the full analog vibe
But they do last forever. I have an SL-D2 that's been reliably spinning since day one. :)
I wasn't devestated because I had a pair. :) it's dumb what Technics has done in the last 20 years with all the so called 'audiophile' upgrade versions that still just don't have the charm and the prices are ridiculous. Why they just didn't keep making the same thing is beyond logic.
@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 A lot of Asian companies are still family owned and operated no matter how huge. Chalk it up to each successive generation becoming greedier and putting money over quality, craftsmanship and subsequently alienating their loyal customers.
We were worried too, until their prices fell when many switched to CDs and then laptops for DJ-ing. Other companies took over turntable market for hi-fi systems, probably because a lot of people never accepted direct drive or wanted something looking less industrial. It is great to see LP's come back.
Lenny...it's Technics...not Techniques!!!!!! Pronounce it properly !!!!!
Oh please we all what he says this isn't an English class
Exactly!! Americans are so annoying with their pronunciations 🙄👎
Always one. Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
I wish people would do their research before commenting. It's Tech-nee-chs.
Tecnics en español. Con fuerza en Tec.
My favorite brand in the 80's and 90's. I still have and cherish their brochures of that era. Recently purchased the SL-1500C turntable. Lovely machine.
I owned countless Technics products over the years. For whatever reason I’ll never forget the model number of my first Technics CD player - SLP230. I currently have and still use a 20 year old SA-DX930 receiver with the built in 5.1. It still works as well as the day I bought it. I miss Technics as much as I miss the 90’s.
When I was working at Panasonic in the 1990s a Japanese engineer came down from head office and we got talking about this and that. We were chatting about the new amplifiers from technics, and he suddenly scolded me for mispronouncing Technics. No, he said, it is pronounced "tech-niks" not techniques. I smiled, apologised, and we moved on to other subjects. It's always stuck in my mind. The Japanese are fiercely loyal to their brands as are there engineers, like when I was working for Sony, I had to be known as a "senior Sony audio technician" or " senior Sony audio engineer" when being referenced to in any paperwork or interviews. At the time I probably would've answered to anything 😛 but there you go. They particularly hate it when someone pronounces their products as "Sunny" or "Sonny" to a point that they will never speak to you again. 😁
It's funny that the technics commercial from the mid-80s pronounces it Tek-neeks. It's on RUclips for you
I can verify that. I was in Japan and In the offices in NJ frequently.
Panasonic matsushita electronics was started by joint venture with PHILIPS.,in thec1950s. Philips owned 35% of matsushita for decades sold it off in thec80s. Now they sold everything,including biggest lighting div in the world..Panasonic became biggest consumer electronics company after philips..now neither one does consumer electronics..Panasonic make the best bathroom vent fans silent and powerful
CD was brought to matsushita by philips a full working cd system,philips invented it...matsushita didn't want in,so they went to sony...weird even though philips owned 35% at the time..now Samsung and LG took over consumer electronics..philips and Panasonic bailed on the business..since patents are off cd technology philips no longer needed it..they used to make almost $1",billion in royalty in everything cd...poof now all gone..philips is now just Healthcare razors hospital,medical sonicare...they even owned Marantz Grundig bo,akg,selmar instruments pokygram...and on and on,all gone now
The weird 'techniques' mispronunciation of the name was confined to the US (maybe North American) market. The rest of the world pronounces it as the brand owners intended and the spelling clearly indicates.
Thank you so much for your time and effort to bring this history of the iconic Technics marque. It will always hold a special place in the audio community.
Thanks for watching Simon!
I remember being in my local Sears store back in the early '90s and seeing a cool Technics receiver. I was amazed at the large tuning knob that felt like it was riding on an air bearing. I've never owned any Technics, but that turntable is enticing me.
No one can match the precision electrical and mechanical Wizardry of the Japanese!
When they put their $$$, heart and soul into their work, nothing compares to their engineering masterpieces!👍
Well, when it comes to reel to reel tapes, the guys from Revox/Studer might have something to say.
yeah i really like my jvc rx-950v and kd-v6 cassette deck. they're reliable and sound pretty nice.
I worked for Technics Musical instruments from 1980 until end of production in 2004 as national service manager / engineer. Technics was very strong in the marketplace and ran neck and neck with Yamaha and Roland.
I just bought a KN7000 keyboard and it still works perfectly.
I still own my SL1200 MK3 turntable in black, bought over 30 years ago and still works and puts out some serious sound. Another great vid, it really makes me think back to all of the awesome stuff I was able to hear and see not only from Technics but from Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood, Marantz, and many others that are now either gone or no longer putting out any of the great stuff they used to.
I watched this looking across at my 1987 Technics SU amp, still working. 36 years of service is a testament to every component and the engineering right down to the capacitors.
Thats great!
Imagine my excitement when Technics planned to make a comeback nearly a decade ago. Although I am happy about their return, some of the prices of their turntables and amplifiers are rather steep.
Yeah, I remember the first time I saw them back
Cheapest turntable they sell is the SL-1200MK7 @ 1,099.95. There are models of the SL12xx series that are as high as $4,299.95. crazy.
@@LBCAndrew If you consider inflation rate from '80s ...not a big difference now and then. Money lost the value..not the items.
@@TheBebe666Partially true. I paid about $350 for my SL1200MK2 back in 1985, which is about $1000 today. An "equivalent" SL1200GR is about $1800 currently.
They also lost so many experienced workers when they discontinued those lines. That has to be very hard and *expensive* to rebuild...
When I was a kid I used to covet the "all in one" cheap hi-fi systems that look like seperates, but aren't. By the time I was about 15 I had saved up enough money from washing cars, mowing lawns and delivering newspapers to buy myself not a budget crappy hi-fi, but a base model Technics X1 system. I loved that hi-fi so much, and later added a CD player and graphic equalizer / spectrum analyser to it. I hammered that system every day for years, it broke down several times over the years and I got it repaired. In the end I had used it so much and for so many years the entire thing was just worn out. I think I gave it a good life 😊it certainly gave me a lot of pleasure.
Technics isn't a dead brand, as long as Matsushita is still around making under the Panasonic name there isn't much stopping them rebooting their Technics brand.
My dad bought a Technics hi fi system in 1992. We weren’t into record players and this set didn’t come with one as the CD market was really taking off. It came with a 5 disc changer; separate tuner, equalizer, and a dual tape deck. That CD player was a beast. I’ve never seen a player that could find tracks on a disc as fast as it could. He still has the set to this day and it still sounds great.
My late elder brother bought a Hi-Fi Technics rack system about 1989 or 90. I remember going with him to buy it. It had the five disk CD changer and though the CD changer seemed lightly built it was quality. The CD player was exceptionally fast. Wish I would have held on to it.
Our family had two rack systems from them in the early 90s. They were very clean sounding compared to the other offerings of the time. I think they were both 135W class g or h amps and the towers were loaded with twin 10s and the latter model had a 10 and a 12. The 5 disk CD player was really fast to seek, as mentioned above. Both systems served us well.
I bought the following in Technics gear high school 1980 ish.
ST-8077 Tuner
SH-8020 Graphic Equalizer
M33 Tape Deck
SU-8077 Integrated Amplifier
SL-D3 DD Turntable
SL-10 Turntable
Get this, I still have all this gear! I even have a photo from that time wearing a Frostline vest, long hair standing in front of my system. Thanks for the video, needless to say, I loved it!
Lenny, the current Technics product line is very impressive, you should consider adding it to your new product offering. Just Audio would be a perfect retailer for the line.
As a Technician in a club, 1210 MKII's are essential. Such a brilliant piece of machinery. So when we got hold of 2 newly rereleased 1210 MK7, I was super excited to plug them in and try them out. First impressions were..not good. About 4 kilo's lighter than the MKII, which is death sentence in a club becuase they need the weight, so we knew we had to fiddle a bit with the bass frequency's to eliminate the feedback. OK, no problem, but through out the weekend, all DJ's complained there was high frequency feedback. Total disaster. It took us a few weeks to work out the frequencies that had to be taken out, so the were playable. We had a closer look why there is this problem, and we realised technics had gone down the path of the pioneer record players, and used cheap aluminium tone arms. I really have to ask myself why, it makes such an unpleasent experience to play records at this level, and they cost minimum 750€. give me the MKII any day.
Tonearms have always been cast aluminum. The problem is the mk7's body is hollow inside, the mk2 is solid. GR is closer, but only the G model rivals the older MK2's in terms of build quality. Not surprising since it was the first new model out of the gate.
Excellent history lesson about a truly iconic brand. I sold audio at Franklin Music in Atlanta @ Lenox Square. Had a older friend who worked for Panasonic in Atlanta, and I purchased my Technics M45 cassette deck, at his recommendation. Sold it in the 2000's to a guy that was working to assemble a Technics all-format system. I have now retired, and am building a little vintage audio business. I have picked up a couple of "vintage" Technics receivers. Thanks again for assembling this episode, and allowing some us to cherish that iconic brand's evolution. On the hunt now for some Technics speakers....Rip
I’m proud to still have my Technics turntable I purchased in high school in 1985 !
And I love the audio History journeys that you’ve been taking us lately! “Just Awesome “ !
I own the mid 70’s rack mounted Technics 9600 series with the RS-9900US tape transport system, only thing I’m missing is the outrageously expensive reel to reel, took me a few years and lots of patience to acquire all the pieces and put it together, love the sound, also told my wife she can do as she pleases with the whole thing,
after I die.
Love your videos sir, keep them coming.
The RS-1500 2 track was used by many studios as a mix-down deck when they were just starting out. When they became successful and moved up to the Ampex, Scully, Studer, MCI, and other great machines, many kept their 1500's as a back-up. GREAT MACHINE! I am very fortunate to own one.
Technics is back with audiophile gear that costs an arm and a leg but still legendary groundbreaking technology. Almost 10 years now. Try and keep up.
Early 1990's Technics turntable. Used until early 2000's, stored 20 years. Brought out of storage in 2015 and replaced P-mount cartridge and it worked flawlessly. Gotta love direct drive technology, no rubber belts. Put back into storage around 2019.
Thanks for the audio history lesson! My 1st serious amp was a Technics back in 80. Unfortunately it didn’t last but it was fun while it lasted. A blast from the past. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching and contributing!
Bought a SA505 receiver back in 1980-81 and still have it today. Always loved the clean sound.
funnily, i entered the vinyl collecting/listening late 2022, going straight into first turntable, a used SL1200 mk2. And it has been the best audio purchase that i have ever made till date lol.
Its a freaking tank , even when its switch had issues (i repaired it effortlessly, checking youtube vids).
Technics is a legend. looking forward to buy their newer / more advanced turntables in the future
They went every bit as hard into cassettes as vinyl - all of their high end cassette decks are quartz lock direct drive. In fact, I think they might have been among the first if not THE first to do that with a cassette deck.
In 2011 - the heart of the vinyl resurgence I bought a used Technics SL-10 linear tracker from eBay. It was in perfect working order, I remember taking it out of the box and studying it for at least half an hour before I even plugged it in . I loved that turntable so much! 😀👍🏿
IT appears Technics is alive and kicking. New AMPS, New Turntables. With very good reviews too.
Really enjoyed the walk down memory lane. Panasonic was my first stereo back in the 1970's. So many similarities I see in Technics face plates. Nice summary!
Panasonic RE-7860 with “bass reflex” speakers was the sh*t (at least for me back in the day)😊
SL1200 is a legendary turn table still used by DJ’s all over the place.
I remember buying my first pair of 1200 turntables! I worked my butt off to purchase them on my own. Scratching and beat juggling was seamless. Thanks for another great video!
Dude. This was awesome. You’re quite a storyteller. I have an Sl 1200 r and it’s the star of what I believe to be a great system. She holds her own with DCS digital with external clocks and 15ips 1/4 inch tapes.
Your video made me fall even deeper in love with my turntable. Thanks.
I can't believe the power some of these amps had. I have always been under the impression of that back in the day, amps barely had 20-30W
Wow!! Thank you for this history on a fantastic brand!! It was really something special to have Technics equipment back in the 80s/90s. Personally I had the “stereo stacks”…top box was the turntable, followed by the AM/FM tuner/amp combo, next was connect the dots equalizer, the dual cassette player/recorder decks and the ultimate finisher: TALL TOWER Speakers!!! With the glass door to protect the stack!! Hell yeah!
I am still glad I have my 2 Technics turntables from 1978 and my tape deck from about 1984. They need some service now, but I know they will serve well for the next 40-50 years and sound great.
Great story. I have the SA-GX530, double cassette deck RS-TR333, CD changer SL-PD8 and a SL-1800 manual turn table, gret sound and performance. Looking to upgrade to a SL-1200 MK series turn table, just to keep with the nostalgia.
My 1st stereo in the 70's was a Technics SA-5570 and I still have it today. I also bought an SLD2 turntable but that was damaged in a move. I purchased both from Stansbury Stereo in Dundalk MD. To complete my setup my final purchase from them was an Onkyo cassette deck. I really had a wonderful system for a 16 year old.
Nice video, thank you
My first turntable was Technics SL 2000, DD at very reasonable price in 1978,
I owned a lot of their products. Lost most of it because I couldnt settle down and constantly moved around. I regret it today. Watching your video brings back fond memories.
IF Nakamichi could release a new "Dragon" then Technics could definitely make a big come back providing they have the Management and Technology to do so. Remember that most of the great sound engineers and Heads of management are now long gone and New managers don't seem to have the passion and drive to create great products again, they are mostly concerned with short term profits. But it would be great if Technics could bring back some competition and raise the bar for product quality again.
I had a Technics SL1700 Mk II turntable. My first CD player was a Technics SLP8.
One of my favorite things to do when I was around 9 back in 1977 walking to the local Radio Shack store and just hanging out for as long as they would let me. I marveled at everything in the electronics department but I absolutely loved just going down the hifi aisle and looking at the Technics gear. Even to a little kid whose parents were not interested in audio equipment and who knew little of nothing about what makes a product good, better or best, I felt like the Technics stuff was so much better than the Tandy and other brands they sold and I always spent more time looking it over.
I'd sit in the floor in front of the speakers and just look at them and, on occasion when the store wasn't too busy, they'd let me put some music on and sit in front of a system listening... all the while my contemporaries were throwing balls and chasing them around, lol. I had no interest in that, I was an audiophile and didn't even know it.
Technics pioneered the world of the DJ.Paved the way for Brands like PIONEER of today.Still Dj on my 1200 mk2's 20 years later. You will never beat the Vinyl sound.
I've had a Technics CD player since the 90's and I have only very recently replaced it in my stereo setup and I have not put it in the scrap bin, The reason I replaced it was I was bored with looking at it after so long, It still plays with no blipping or skipping and plays CD'S as beautifully as it did when I first got it, But I'm blowed if I can remember when I got it.
Great series... Kudos!
My first system was Technics SU-Z11 amp, SL-D202 turntable and SB-4 linear-phase speakers. A great entry system back in 1981, have been using it until the end of nineties. Turntable is still with me, 40 years on :)
I ran 2 SL-1200 MK2s, professionally installed with all the rest of the equipment in a roller rink that was converted to an ice rink in Cary, NC.
Original install, custom loud speaker builds, and all upkeep was done by Creative Accustics, Raleigh NC.
The 1200s had in there center the normal DJ equipment, mixing boards, mic, ligh controls, et. al., but when I took over duties in '89, we added a CD player, and a twin cassette players, both by Technics.
I still to this day miss those MK2 1200s...
I never really used them for listening to high end audio...
I just remember back in the day when DJs still used actual turntables, you weren't taken seriously in the DJ scene unless you had a pair of 1200s.
They were guaranteed to always work correctly and their durability was unmatched.
One of the saddest days of my life when I heard that Technics was closing shop. I live in Kuwait and one of my fondest memories, while I was a school student in the 70s and 80s, was the Technics showroom near my place. It was so impressive, and I would go into the show room to listen to not just the music but also the sound of music that was being played on those awesome audio arrays. Those product images are etched into my mind. I could never afford to buy one in those days and by the time I could, Technics was no more. Never could imagine at that time how the audio landscape would change so dramatically. Salute to an Awesome brand.
Love this video! The one on Akai history was great as well! That said, fun fact: it’s pronounced “TECH-NIX”, not “TECH-NEEKS”. 😉
Thanks! So its pronunciation depends on your country. Or at least that's what the guys at Technics told me when I asked. Haha
I was about to say the same thing!
Being a Technics owner, and to those who never owned a Technics product, this is one interesting and informative video that was well researched and written and enjoyed very much.
I currently own:
SA-GX470 A/V Control Stereo Receiver
SH-GE70 Stereo Graphic Equalizer
RS-TR333 Double Cassette Deck
SL-PD867 Compact Disk Changer
SL-J11D DC Servo Automatic Turntable System (linear tracking)
Technics 5-piece speaker system (can't get to the model numbers)
The tape deck and CD changer are linked with a cable to allow synchronized recording from CD to cassette. I used that alot to prevent damage to my CD collection (hot car). The turntable tracks normally, except during playback. I have a service manual, but I haven't had to time to dig into it. The woofers in the tower speakers are shot, but the rest still work well. Everything else worked perfectly up to the day I put them away about 10 years ago.
FYI, Matsushita is pronounced Ma-shu-sta :)
Great video, thanks for the memories!
I was very fortunate to have found a vintage SL-B100 belt drive turntable at a Goodwill late last year. I've been made aware that it's a more entry level device than Technic's other products, and it needs a new belt and possibly a new stylus after decades of use, but once I obtain them, I'm confident that it'll live up to their high standards even after all these years.
To me, I think Technics was best known for their turntables. I’m not saying their receivers, tape decks and speakers were garbage, they just weren’t as dialed in as their turntables were. It’s kinda like Nakamichi and their tape decks, they made other decent gear but they were most renowned for their cassette deck build quality and innovation.
I loved my 80s - 90s era Technics gear. My final setup of SA-R377 reciever, SH-8055 EQ, SL-PG40 CD player, RS-TR575 cassette deck, SL-BD3 turntable, and SB-377 and SB-CR33 speakers are all stil in perfect working order. My stack has been 'acquired' by my kids who have rediscovered vintage sound. And who can't love that dancing Technics equalizer display?
A video like this on Tascam would be awesome. Searched your channel, but didn't find one.
It's Technics, not Techniques
Love Technics gear. I still have the SL-D2 turntable that my Dad bought in the late 70's. He also still has the CD player and amp bought in 1986. Fantastic kit.
Thanks for sharing!
BRAVO !!!! as DJ 36 years of my life I use the 1210 mk1 for years with the 90's dance/hip hop tunes......when the first CD player start to be part of the normal for some DJ's I have been developing in my head a new generation of 1200 with features I don't see in any turntables from other brands, if anyone is able to get me in touch with Technics Designers I will only share this idea to them and I am sure 100% of the success of the product ! thanks
Ricardo Del Rio
I had an SA-GX505 in college back in the early 1990s and to this day it was the best receiver I have ever owned.
I've deejayed on several 1200s as a teenager but never had the fortune to own them. This is the first video I viewed of yours and it was pretty enjoyable, considering it was about something I could relate to.
Back as a teenager back in '80s, my friend had the best stereo component setup in a rack by Technics. I could only afford a cheap Magnovox all in one with turntable, tuner, and cassette.
Their Keyboards, organs and digital pianos were class leading, I still have a couple of the keyboards.
Back in boarding school the best stereo on campus was a Technics and I was in awe of it.
I've owned a couple of pieces over the years but these days I only have a SL1200 mk7 turntable and I love it. I don't think I'll ever sell it, why would I? Just change the cartridges over the years.
I bought a lot of Technics equipment in the 80s and 90s. They were my favorite brand. I still have my SL-D2 turntable that my mother bought me for my birthday in 1980 from Silos. I also have a Technics cassette deck. I’ve been pretty much been buying Denon receivers lately.
My dad bought a huge rack system in about 86'. Beautiful system. loved it. So i bought mine in 90'. Beautiful system and slightly larger than my dads. I parted it out in the 2000s and that was that. So sad i did that. I cant afford to replace that thing now. It would cost 4-5000 . My friend had a pioneer and it looked great, but you could really feel and see the lesser quality
Think it's worth mentioning that the new Technics stuff is exceptional...
I purchased one of their all-in-one players - the SC C70 - a couple if years back and it led to four of my friends subsequently getting themselves one too. How often does that happen?🎶
I've owned several 1200s in the past when I was into DJing and I'm still running modern 1200s now in a HiFi system; a 1200M7L and 1200G.
The 1200s are probably the most archetypal audio devices I grew up with.
I used to have a hifi with Technics amp, tuner, CD player, cassette deck, turntable, and graphic equaliser (SH8055). I don't remember the other model numbers, but I still have the Technics SL L1 direct drive computer-controlled turntable, and I still use it (having the service manual helps!). It was all decent well made mid-range kit. Then I started making more money and moved on to a Linn system (keeping the old turntable!).
My first amp I had when I got into hifi separates when I was 13 in 2001 was my dad's old technics suv3 and it was fantastic sounding, I could never see the point in streaming as found it a totally inconvenient format ,I've also got a technics minidisc deck in my system and typically technics it's working faultlessly.
when I first left school in the early 90s and started my first proper job and saved up my first few weeks wages' I went into my local hi fi store and bought myself technics hi fi separates ,I still have that same system today ,although not used as much as ive move on to higher end audio equipment , that hifi still holds a special place in my heart and once in a while it gets powered up and played
That was a story that needed to be told. Great Job.
Friend of mine back in like 1990 had a Technics rack stereo that was one of the best sounding systems man. I’d love to have one now.
I used to sell Technics gear. Good, solid and reliable. I don't think you mentioned it in your vid, but the Technics 315 mini Hifi stack systems were massively popular. We sold a truck-load of them.
I had a Technics receiver in the mid 90s. I think I bought it new at my local Sears, along with a pair of Cerwin Vega bookshelf speakers, & a CD player. Back then I was happy with it. I thought the receiver amplifier's very low signal to noise was just supposed to be there. My hifi system now I won't get into details about, but it has zero audible noise in the signal.
As a DJ I had 2 SL-1210mk2's, but Technics wasn't really innovating it's turntables. So a pair of "Super OEMs" replaced my 1210's. They felt so much stronger and didn't have the 0% click (or pop up light). They also had more range and more usable features. The only downside was when playing in club with 1210's, the Technics felt like cheap turntable when slowing down or speeding up the record with my fingers.
i'm a Technics Fan since the day i like to listen to music!
Altough I sold my First Technics Sereo system: tape deck RS-TR 373 and SL-PG 390 Cd player together with a SA-EX120 Receiver... i bought a more high end one and i'm still using it: an SU-C800U Mark2 pre-amp together with a big SE-A900S Mark2 and a SH-GE90 Graphic Equalizer.. and guess what powered the sound of this video too :P
Fantastic video. Loved it. I’ve got numerous turntables, some being pretty high end, but my main deck has somehow always been my SL1200 M3D. which I did a bunch of upgrades and modifications to over the years via Kevin at KAB. The table was fortunately never DJ’d, so it’s in excellent condition. It is just extremely easy to use, bulletproof, built like a tank, and easy to work on should anything go wrong, which is unlikely. Thanks again. Appreciated this vid. 🔊😊🎶
Am I the only one who misses their wonderful and sometimes goofy rack systems?! Totally miss all those packaged rack systems from Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc.
Nice video, learned a lot. I put together a component system of Technics equipment in the late 80's. I'm still using most of it today, the cassette deck and turntable are in storage. Most people are amazed at the touch face adjustment of my Technics SH-8046 stereo graphics equaliizer. My Technics SU-Z980 Amp powers the setup which includes a Technics ST-S98A tuner, a Technics SL-PD5 CD changer, and a pair of SB-L76 speakers.
Except for my open reel, which I have an Akai GX-77 and a Teac 4070G, all my equipment is technics. I have an SL-Q2 turntable , twin RSM-260 cassette decks, and a SL-P2 CD player. You just can't beat the elegance of the brushed aluminum front panels 0:28
Great collection! Thanks for joining the conversation!
As a high schooler in the late 70s and some college in early 80's. Nothing was more evident than the HiFi stereo Wars. Even with all the great names that were available at the local Tech Hi-Fi stores in Massachusetts in the 1970s and 80s such as Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui ,Marantz, Harman Kardon, etc, among my friends in Massachusetts you were considered a second-class hi-fi nobody if you didn't own Technics. And another very important issue which this video does not mention Technics products were also priced right many times offering superior quality and sound for less money. However at the turn of the Millennium 2000 consumer base turn to much cheaper and smaller products like Apple iPods, Home theater and flat screen TVs portable CD players earbuds for cell phones etc. Post 2000 really spelled the end for the Hi-Fi stereo audio equipment that we knew from the 70s and 80s. Now if you'll have a home theater and sound system and it's not a Bose you're considered a nobody. Technology always changes the marketing landscape.
Added note: It seems that the Technics SL1200 by Pioneer crossover is what led us to the confusion between the 2 brands. Again - great episode! 👍👍👍💫💫💫💫💫
I recently stumbled across a pair of three-way Technics honeycomb disc speakers. They are just like regular speakers, except they have a flat panel instead of a cone... Tweeter included. They sound absolutely great and are in pristine condition.
My setup consists of a Technics SH-8033 EQ/Spectrum Analyzer, Technics SL-P370 CD Player, Roland TT-99 turntable (basically a Technics 1200MK7 copy), and a Marantz 4430 receiver. That Technics CD player alone made me pause on LP collecting and start CD collecting instead because it sounds super clean & rich.
There was also a brand glut within Matsushita itself. Panasonic was the video brand for TV, VCR, videocams, despite being the same company. And also, not 12v audio, which also kept the Panasonic label. Then, there was combo-stack stereos they sold under both Technics and Panasonic at the same time. When the chips fell, and the tide rolled out, portability and ubiquity completely crushed quality, and anyone running with as much overlap as Matsushita was in deep trouble by 2004 if they hadnt already course corrected.
I bought a Technics SL-P8 CD in the early days (1984) of CD. I also have SL-Q2, SL-D1 turntables, and SH-4060 timers.
Great collection!
Awesome content , keep up the great work.
I know this channel is based on hifi gear but surprised not to mention the technics dip into Dj CD decks, the SL-DZ1200. A crossover from the SL1200 mk2 using same direct drive motor. Just a shame they never took off and updated as they looked and played amazing, this due to pioneer's cdj's being industry standard. Owed a pair of both types of decks over the years and wish had kept them.
Also got a technics mini stack hifi for Xmas as young teenager, great quality system that begun my journey into love of music.
Great Technics retrospective. I would love to watch a Luxman video.
I have a Technics receiver I had my mom buy me in 1976 and it still works. Thanks for the interesting video.
Excellent overview of the History of Technics. They are indeed fabulous long lasting products.I have an SL120 Direct Drive Turntable which in England permitted the use of an SME pick-up arm which was sold as the finest in the world at that time (3009 Series 3) - still rare for a Japanese company to have allowed that collaboration. I have the SU C 1000 MK2 Control Amp and two SE 1000 Class AA MOS Power Amplifiers with the very large power meters. These are great for bi-amping. The Control unit has a rechargeable battery to allow pure DC operation without the noise of a transformer.