A huge misconception is that the SL1200 was designed for the DJ marked. Technics initially designed it for the high end hifi market. DJ's picked up on them due to their high torque and fast spin up speed. And that is when the SL1200 concurred the DJ marked for many many years. Anyway, I still have my SL1210 MKII as well. I did buy an SL1200G recently though. It is my way of saying thank you to Panasonic to bring back this iconic turntable. I did sign the letter that was send to Panasonic back in 2010 asking to continue the production. This letter was signed by more than 10000 fans; I was one of them.
@@defcreator187 I think the broadcast turntables used at radio stations more often were the 1200's cousins, the SP-15 and SP-25. I have one of each and they are tanks. I also spin an SL-1500 MKII, another DD similar to the 1200. I bought the 1500 at a thrift for @25.00. It had no cart and a few cosmetic issues, but other than that it was a solid deck. At home I did a thorough inspection and cleaning and put it in my office next to the SPs.
The 1200 mkii was developed to build on the unintended application of the mki in pro DJ use. The mki is in many ways a scaled down sl1100 which itself derived from the original sp10 - same motor on all 3 I think. The mkii is a brilliant piece of work and the features such as instant start/stop, pitch slider, cuing light and exceptional damping are clear indicators of it’s pro design pedigree. It can make a great hifi deck, but may need careful cartridge choice given the arm is designed for low compliance heavy trackers for club use. Technics also supplied tables without a fitted tonearm as denoted by the lack of the last zero in the model no - ie sl110/1100. There was indeed an sl120 mkii which could be construed as a hifi deck when paired up with an SME arm or similar. These must be rare as I’ve never seen one.
You absolutely can go wrong. They almost all have been (ab)used by many DJ's, who typically didn't treat them as delicate HiFi equipment, and did things like max out the Tonearm angle, applied huge weight to the tonearms etc. Many tonearms on decks in the used market have taken a nasty hit at some point either from being in a house party / club environment, or simply just the sheer amount of transport these things see when they belong to a DJ. This is a big deal, because the bearings in the Tonearm gimble in the 1200 & 1210 MK2 are EXTREMELY fragile, and the market is flooded with damaged 1200 & 1210's... To the point it seems it is actually rarer to find one that ISN'T damaged. DJ's would never notice this, as they slap so much weight on the stylus, the thing digs itself into the record so hard, and they still sell them as fully working perfect condition decks. Unfortunately, if you are trying to carefully listen to a record on a HiFi setup and use a relatively light tracking force, those broken gimble bearings are a complete nightmare. They are a very expensive and tricky fix, and even buying another used tonearm on ebay, there's a high chance THAT tonearm also has damaged bearings (speaking from personal experience on that). People should be very careful when buying a used 1200 or 1210 for HiFi use. Never buy one online without a written guarantee from the seller that the tonearm is balanced/stable and doesn't move by itself when the anti-skate is set to zero.
@@DaGleese I bought a used 1200 mkII around 15 years ago and the tonearm bearings were badly damaged. It didn't even occur to me it could be a thing. There was very definite play (even forwards to backwards) and it could end up adding a clunking sound on warped records. Very kindly somebody who experimented with using an expensive tonearm gave me the one that originally came with their turntable as an new replacement. I now have a frankendeck as it was from a 1210 but it was at my hand. I also get some odd shaking from the cart I use on some high frequency bursts but otherwise I'm very happy with it as a home turntable.
@@GenerallyGroovy good to hear you got there. I also wound up with buying a "perfect original mkii" but ended uo buying 3 replacement tonearms, with one final complete tonearm assembly (the entire black base, gimble, and tonearm assembly) before I got my table working properly. I wish there was more info around about this before I bought my deck. Everything was all just "old technics is rock SOLID, especially 1200/1210 mkii!!!" wish I'd seen a heads up about the highly likely potential nightmare costs involved in getting this turntable working before I the tons of cash at a "working" deck. If it looks anything like it belonged to a, dj and they say its "perfect working order" RUN!!!
@@DaGleese You can buy a "frankenstein" deck, made out of SL-1200 parts from different generations. It still works good but is not a MK2 or MK3 or MK5 which you wanted to have. I personally would avoid the last MK5 generation, there standards were reduced, because only electronic DJ`s were buying them at that time. Electronic DJ`s don`t need a hi-fi device.
I bought a SL1200MK4 from Japan. This model was only available in Japan. This was considered the first audiophile SL1200. It has a Titanium tone arm, removable RCA cables and a 78 speed selector.
why, do audiophiles today only work with average quality turntables,what about the top models from technics like the SP´s or SL-1000 ,SL-1000mkII and SL-1100, regards
EFF thar DJ only monicker!! Butthurt competitors had to disparage the SL1200 thru the Audio press and sales people of the competition because how can their chintzy fiber board TT compete with a rugged and good sounding SL1200 that floooded the 2nd hand market. I always pick one up and I would be surprised f it has issues. What else. They said its noisy because its Direct Drive and the S tonearm is bad. Seriously, none of them is true. I tried to look for those problems and could not find it on my home set up. You must have dainty ears but there is nothing wrong with them stock. If you don't like the way it sounds then get a different TT but it is not a bad sounding TT, Its an excellent sounding one. It just keeps rising in price and you can't say that about the competition. People who know just know. Stuck up Audiophiles can just suck it!
I accumulated 3 1200's and I don't see ever getting another turntable as long as these continue working. They are everything I look for in a turntable.
Hey Frank, I agree with you totally! I've had my 1200MKII for well over 10 years, and I absolutely love it! It is and always will be my main table. It is built like a tank, and sounds fantastic in my personal opinion. I have an Audio Technica AT-150MLX cartridge and stylus on it and it really pulls the frequencies out of the grooves. I can't say enough about SL1200 tables, they sound great and are built to last! Cheers
I own an SL-1200G. While the SL-1200MK2 is built like a tank, the SL-1200G is built like tank destroyer - even more solid. It has RCA plugs on the back, modernized motor, brass platter and a magnesium tonearm. Highly recommended.
i think i´ll not buy that ,throw your SL-1200 from a balcony ,the G model , like a second floor than go and get it and than tell me how it works i made that already very drunk and high and when in the next day i went to the balcony after having a cofee mug i went outside to catch fresh air and saw a turntable in the midle of the street , i was not remenbering well the night before but i went to get it and either than having the cover broke everything else was perfect so i already saw the G but it´s not as well built as the 79 mkII, as everything else in this world
@@RUfromthe40s I used to own a pair of MK2's. Had an M5G and MK4 later on. MK4 was by far the best in the original 1200 lineup IMO. But in my comparisons the 1200G was better with quite a margin. Used, tested and opened all of them. I currently have an MK7 in my secondary system, which is actually a downgrade from an MK2, in terms of tonearm lift and how solid the plinth is... especially the tonearm lift of the MK7 is very flimsy. Bearing quality is better though.
@udio You must live in Japan ? We didn't get a Mk4 here in the UK. I have owned every model in the SL1200 range, and personally, the best version I thought, was the M3D. Better than the Mk5 for me, and I traded them for a brand new pair of Mk5, regretted it ever since.
@@DjNikGnashersNah I imported an MK4 and swapped out the transformer with a multi-voltage one; it was basically a drop-in replacement. I'm from the Netherlands btw.
That's the turntable I want eventually. I don't understand turntables that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some of the people who who design & make amps & other stereo components that cost tens of thousands of dollars use a Technics themselves. Nelson Pass of Pass Labs for example uses a Technics 1200. However I really love the Audio Technica 540 ML cartridge/stylus.
by and large every newly made turntable is shit. The Pro-Ject ones? Shit. Especially if you hold them accountable to their claims. They literally claim some kind of audio nirvana, which is objectively comparable to the performance of technics' entry level turntables. At a huge cost! Making a bad turntable just wasn't an option for Technics back in the days, entry level or top end production; bad turntables wouldn't sell in a world where good turntables are cheap.
To the few saying they didnt make 1200s in black. Your wrong. Yes! The 1200 did come out in black! I can tell you anything about technics turntables. For many years, from 1979-98ish there was no 1200 in black. So if you see a 1200 in black, just know its newer. No 1210 is silver. But 1200s did come out in black! But, in september 2006, they discontinued making new 1210 line and just made 1200s in black and silver. They did however keep producing the mk2 until 2010! Marking a special serial number for 1 month of september to mark the end of the 1210. In November 2010 . They stopped production of all turntables. News spread in the dj world fast, I know this as i sold them in a dj store. And also found out as it happened! Many djs bought a couple to put away. In case the runours were true, others werent phased and stuck to buying pioneer cdjs as they were now taking over anyway. Technics was a japanese company. Until 2016. When another company aquired it. a malasian company. Manafacturing mk7 out of malaysia! Not japan!!. Which many djs including me hated. It just wasnt a classicly built technics. Sure it has a couple gimicky features like reverse, and a diffferent colour strobe option, but. The mk7 were made from the ground up. With an entire new design, from an entirely different manafacturaer, in a different countyley. The mk7 literally preys on nostalgia of the real deal. compared to the old, those are chalk and cheese, apples and oramges. Buying JAPANESE MADE comes with quakity assurances. Look at seiko watchesz theres a reason JDM models of the exact same watch are worth more than thier european counterpart! Japanese QC! If you know you know! If you didnt now you do. 😊 for you mk7 heads, yes, i know.. YOU CAN still mix on a mk7. Its just not as pure, accurate, and has less charm than the awsome 1200/1210s of old. Also, fir anyone wanting to discount the 1210 in any way, your crazy. They have the exact same internals as a 1200. Most djs could not afford 1210s, me included. I bought my 1200s in 1994, and the 1210s were an extra 200usd dollars just because they were black. I also think there are still a lot of djs of golden era who dont think they made 1200s in black, because it was done much later in the life cycle of technics. And thats fine, they just didnt know cos thier decks worked so well, there was no reason to look at another pair yet alone shop for new ones. 😂 this was and is, a very expensive hobby. And at the tinlme. If you were serious about djing, you invested in these. Amd that investment gave you a pass into buying vinyl, which lead to paid gigs if you were good. and if you ever needed money, you could always pawn in your decks knowing theyd pay high prices for them. Unfortunately. They are very hard to find in good condition these days.. If you see a 1200/1210 in good condition. BUY IT! Best models of course were mk2, duh. Mk3 were more for audiophile but have the same great build, mk3D introduced no click feauture! This was AWESOME! But, not worth buying new decks over, many mk2 owners would just take out the ball bearing at quartz lock anyway if they wanted that. But they also look nicer imo. mk4, mk5. Mk5 had the most black 1200s i believe from memory. Mk6s were limited numbers! And had a blue target light. And limited numberd Only 3000 or something, and also had digitally controlled pitch adjust. M5G were also digitally controlled, in piano black, with blue leds. And improved tone arms, but mixed a lot different, look great, but dont work as good for mixing. 😊 btw, I have a collection i have 1 of the last 1210mk2 off the production line! Still in box unopened and sealed. My every day decks are my mk5. For some reason, i had a hard tine finding 1210mk5s, but if you want to know ehich is the best from someone who owned every model. For DJing, any mk5. Or, m3d. I think the mk5 being newer, with all the GOOD upgrades from previous. If you are a audiophile guy , who needs to also play 78 records, there is a a mk4, it also has rca that can be easily unplugged from the deck. With the extra 78 button for 78 records. the mk4 had this feauture. They can also be djed on with the same feel of a mk2. If you are a DJ and want new condition classic turntables. Shop for the black 1200, mk3d or some mk5., being newer they may show newer condition over say a mk2. I found this to be true after spemding 6 years shopping for some. I really wamted some in good shape. Just expect to pay fpr them. By the time you read this they will be even rarer. The current 'average' price is around a ironic 1200 usd each used, for most models. Pro tip, Do not pay that much for mk7s! Why!?! Lol
Owned lots of turntables, as I have been a DJ since 1980. Nothing comes close to the SL1200 for the money. I personally think the very best version was the M3D, better than the Mk2 and the Mk5.
I love my two 1210s ( I’m in the uk). Love the build quality and the tone arm is perfectly fine for me and I love the actual look of it. Mine are fitted with Audio Technica VM95e cartridges which I’m soon upgrading to VM95ML It’s a classic design which has been emulated but never equalled in my opinion.
Bought a Technics a few months ago to replace my dead Clearaudio Concept and I was so impressed with the simplicity of the setup and adjustments and it sounds great. I absolutely love it.
Just a look at the specs is enough for anyone to realize that this is SERIOUS gear. But it is no-nonsense, and many people are used to nonsense, hifi not being an exception...
Hello Again my name is Mr Cannadine T. Boxill-Harris, how have you been Keeping up to Lately, I was wondering if you need to do the other way round Lyrics in you’re own word Lyrics but sing it differently in the original Extended background Versions of those Particular song’s By Andrew Gold and The Korgis, Never Let her Slip Away and Everybody got to learn Sometime, why don’t they just Replace the Synthesizer Strings Sound to a Two Musette Accordion’s sounds and make those two Musette sounds for those Two Accordion’s 4 to 7 and a half times more Deeper then the Original Synthesizer Strings Sound that they have used for this Particular song called Everybody’s got to Learn sometime and also Replace the Xylophone Sound to a 17 Times More Deeper Chime Bell or Even a 22 Times More Deeper Still Drum Sound, Because it is Still one of my Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Favorite Song’s Ever Since I was about 10 Years of Age Thank You and I Like 👍 you’re Remixing and Remake them 2 and a half times more Deeper Pretty Please X X
This biggest problem Technics had, they just built them to well. Once you bought one (or a pair in my case for djin') you will never need to replace it. I've had my from new since 1996 and they are still going strong.
Our family used to have one but during a move to another city, during the move, some friends by accident, unfortunately killed our early model SL 1200, it was sitting on boxes at the top of the stairs going down to the basement and while moving stuff, tables, dressers, the box pile with the 1200 resting on top, went down the stairs 💔 , that was a 1200 from 1980 and these 2 morons dropped it down the stairs 😮
It is a hard turntable to beat. Any deck that allows you to spin your entire body weight on, has got to be outstanding in construction! It's not just for the scratch perverts either - fitted with a fine cartridge, it will sing. In Japan, it's _"Tech-a-neecs"_
Wow! Of course a 1210 is a 1200!! The 1200 and 1210 are identical!! The 1210 is assigned for the black model some people like black. I have the 1200GR. I just like the look of the classic silver. With the Ortofon 2Mbronze mine sounds excellent. 🎸🎸🎸
Love my SL1200MK-2, Decoded it to 1984 and currently running it with a 2M Blue and some vintage gear ( Sansui 7070 / ADS L810's ).. Sounds great to me and wouldnt trade it for the world!
I have the exact same model and color. It’s what got me back into listening to and collecting vinyl. I won it on an eBay bid I didn’t think I would win because I didn’t think it would be the winning bid before I went to bed only to awaken finding it was mine. Then I worried that it wouldn’t work. But it came with a travel case and the shipping was free. I believe the price I paid was $470.00 US. I love it.
I am a proud owner of a silver sl1200 since 1995!! And yes I still use it and it is my favorite no matter what. This thing is solid and sounds really really good. I use an ortofon red but I think i will upgrade it to ortofon blue
I love my SL-1210mk2, it's sounds fantastic. I did yearn for auto return though. So I bought a SL-1700mk2 as it has the same platter, motor, arm, target light as an SL-1210mk2 but also has the added auto return.
I've got the SL-1200 MK3D also. Bought it used from Japan back in 2019 for around $500 usd and it works terrific. They only prob I have is the dustcover isn't attached. I just prefer it that way. I've read that it's quite a job to be able to attach it though and I'm not a mechanic in any sense of the word. But oh well, I feel blessed to have this TT at all with the original dust cover. It's a tank!
Good choice. The SL 1200 is a great turntable. I went with the SL1900 for the full automatic option myself. It was built in 1978 and with proper care it works as well today as when it was new.It's hard to go wrong with Technics. Keep on spinnin'.
One of the biggest differences between the 1200 and the 1900, setting aside the fact that the 1900 is a fully automatic with repeat functions and disc size selection, is that the SL-1200 turntable motor from MK2 and onwards is quartz locked while that of the SL-1900 is FG servo, though of a higher quality design compared to other frequency generated servo systems. The turntable motor of the 1900 has adequate torque, but it doesn't have near as much as the 1200. But, to be fair, the 1900 doesn't need that much torque. The turntable of the 1900 still spins smooth and steady; just make sure the speed selector switch and the pitch control potentiometers are clean; those are common points of malfunction with the 1900. The plinth on the 1900 is also not near as solid as the 1200, being made of composite rather than aluminum. There is also not as much dampening of the plinth on the 1900 as there is on the 1200. The 1900 omits the tonearm height adjustment that the 1200 has. The 1200 was supposed to be a midrange-to-high end product while the 1900 was an entry level offering. The 1900 is simply not built to the same standard of quality. That said, the 1900 is still a very capable performer and holds it own very well against equally featured turntables from Pioneer and Sony. And, as usual with many Technics turntables, the 1900 is very reliable. With regard to reliability, I'd take a 1900 over most Sansui tables any day.
@@kingofuseddurablecars.ls6040 I would say that a Technics direct drive tends to almost always be a safe choice when in good condition. Of course, things to look out for would be the potentiometers on the pitch controls. Dirty contacts can cause problems.
I have two 1210’s I bought in new in 1992. That was 32 years ago. I DJ’d with them through the ‘90s and I still use them every week what’s more, they still look like new.
I would think, just for conversation sake, that electrification , or developing flat recordings for easier storage , might also be significant developments.
When I was stationed in S. Korea '77-'79 my first turntable was an Technics SL1200 in silver. Since lost amongst my many travels and adventures. I'd give anything to have it back.
I have about 20-ish Technics components with different market codes. There are certain internal and external differences and product divisions depending on the market it was sold to especially if they were branded as Panasonic. Panasonics “K” code for color is actually black vs. Technics’s anthracite/chocolate color. Some amplifiers in that case are quite odd here, Technics SU-MA10 are different than Panasonic SU-MA10 regarding inputs, output power, filtering capacitors…Panasonic doesn’t have phono inputs so your SL-1200 wouldn’t work with it. Similar thing with SU-V900 by Technics&Panasonic. Plus that color alteration too. I think I have posted few videos regarding this under my profile, RS-B965 is what I have from both Technics and Panasonic. Fun fact, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF TECHNICS’s TURNTABLES!!!!😱….yet 😎
I recently purchased the Technics SL-1200GR with a Sumiko Amethyst MM cartridge. Just under $2500 out the door. I love it and will not be looking for another TT. I will play around with the carts though.
Did you mean 'capacitance'? Low capacitance cables (as fitted to most Technics turntables) make for easier cartridge/pre-amp matching.... Impedance is normally supposed to a 'fixed' spec of approx 47kOhms; for magnetic cartridges anyway!
@@stevesstuff1450 YES! you are right. I saw folks measuring this capacitance, and the original cables directly soldered measured better than many expensive brands of cables and connectors. Those cables don’t “need” upgrade unless they’re broken.
@@undress62 : Exactly... Technics used to advertise - and include it in their instruction manuals - that the cable used on their turntables was a low capacitance; those who understand 'old-school' hi-fi know about the advantages of a lower capacitance cable... It's something completely missed by most modern turntable manufacturers. Lower capacitance cables (and it also applies to the phono pre-amp being used too - some are lower than many others, such as the Rega Mini Fono), and this GENERALLY opens up the sound, not flattening high frequencies, and allowing for a cleaner mid-range, and a lovely clean bass... Higher capacitance will often squash these, and give a dull or almost muffled sound. This is a generalisation, and is determined by the cartridge being used - some odd ones will require a higher capacitance! In general though, keep the cable capacitance low, and you then rely on your amp/pre-amp to tailor the signal and sound (some expansive phono pre-amps have capacitance adjustments, along with impedance, and even RIAA curve adjustments!). Technics got it right though on it's turntables; at least right through the '80s, into the '90s - from the cheapest, to the most expensive!
Nice turntable Frank. The main thing is that your happy with it. Upgrades can be done, but if you are fine with it, there is no need to change. The trouble with Audiophiles is the snobbery that can raise its head. I love hifi, but am not a snob about it. Keep on spinning and enjoying your music.
I read about taking that medical rubber tubing (the type they put around your arm when taking blood) and cutting it up the middle long ways and putting it around the tone arm tube to dampen it.
I have a MCS Fully automatic Quartz lock and Technics fully automatic Quartz lock. MCS has a stereo cart and the Technics has a mono cart. Solid machines.
Yes. You probably have the last TT you will ever need. Believe it or not, your tone arm is state of the art. Why would you think that many different current clones and the re-introduced SL-1200's still have it? My 1948 Capehart flip-over record changer has a tubular "J" style tone arm with the first modern magnetic GE-VR cartridge. Many audiophile TT's over the years, like Empire, had tubular "J" or "S" style tone arms. We learned back in my radio station days that tubular, bent tone arms were the best of the best. My old QRK commercial radio station TT has a tubular "J" style tone arm. I find it funny that modern turntable manufacturers choose to make "Frankenstein" looking TT's but don't take advantage of lessons learned from history. Pro-Ject has been catching on. There is nothing more cheap-o to me than a TT with an external belt drive with a straight shaft tone arm. The best BD TT's have a drive sub-platter with the main platter on top. If you check, I believe that your Pickering has a higher output than most magnetic carts. Your cart may share it's body with Stanton. Glad to see you are catching up and learning from hands-on experience. Some people and TT manufacturers will never learn.
I used 2 of the Technics 1200s in the 90s when I did weddings and parties. They are built like tanks. Still have them set up at home. Love them. Mine are silver but the black model looks sharp. Great video Frank.
The thing I was told it need the servomotor(?) needed to be replaced? He said he couldn’t find one. I was badgered to finally toss it out. I thought it wrong but I had a new stack system which, I still have along with three other portables, can’t have too many. The thing I liked about the Technics were the individual tweaking I could do, counter balance kept tone arm so it wasn’t resting on the record but it was the anti skating control. I had Harry Chapin greatest stories Live, two of them. Played the crap out of them with volume UP! There was a part of one track,same on both albums, that tended to skip over a few grooves. The anti skip control corrected that in conjunction with the counter balance and I was happy, very. Thing was , I had a Magnavox portable, speakers could be detached and turntable folded down, sturdy, could stack my 45s , never my albums too heavy, and none ever skipped even Harry C. Shouldn’t have given that one away either. Always liked the quality of Technics products performance. I’ll be upgrading in the future, again. As one of my others I can stack the 45s I won’t need one on my new turntable. It could be a mute point as if I don’t keep an eye on them, my 45s seem to somehow end up on the other side of the state at my youngest daughter’s!
Great video Frank! Always nice to see our beloved 1200s gettin some love. You have found your “end game” TT! They are the absolute best decks ever IMO. I’ve had a few over the years (4 MK2s, an M3D, & a MK5) of which, my first one, a MKll that I bought brand new in ‘82/83 is still my favorite. Although it still works great, I kinda semi-retired it so it’ll last another 40 years. For everyday use I’m using a Pioneer PLX1000 until I can one day afford a new 1200G. As for cartridges, I’ve been using the Ortofon 2M Bronze on both the MKll & the PLX and lovin it. Lookin to try a Nagaoka next. Btw, thx to you I’m now a VInyl Storage Solutions loyalist as well. Lastly, down here in San Francisco, we say “Tech-Neeks” always have, always will. Take care and keep on spinnin Frank.
You know, it's so funny... I almost always say Tech-neeks... then when I recorded this video I blurted out Tech-niks. LOL. I have no idea why. glad you dig VSS!
Pioneer 1000 is a good turntable too not the wheel of steel but is close to it just simple a good torn arm for DJ scratch I got it too but to listen to my collection I tried them by scratching n they are great but for now I'm using it to listen to my collection I have 4 pair of technics silver since 89 working like a champ I throw a lot of party n is a champ 👍😎
i use the nagaoka MP-300 but recentelly i tried the Grado gold prestige III and it reproduces with great sound quality the records ,i even dare to say that being cheaper they may sound better than the Ortofon Black this in technics turntables wich i own several from the 70´s and also some pioneers and three thorens ,that they sound perfect and i tried several more modern turntables from several brands since early 90´s and i didn´t found one that could be better to the point of buying them because they sounded better than the ones i already own, regards
I know this will annoy purists, but I got myself a pair of secondhand Omnitronics BD1030 turntables for £20. They are almost identical to the Technics decks and sound great with an Audio Technica cartridge.
Great tt! I've got the SL-1610... same tt except it's dark gray and can run on 100v or 120v. I put high-end inter-connects on it and a Nagaoka mp-200 cartridge.... It's been my go-to turntable for 6 years.
Nice one, Frank! Very nice. Can't go wrong with vintage Technics, especially the 1200MKII. Seems like you've done your homework on them, so you should be set. 😎 I have a highly modded SL1600, which I absolutely love, but I'd still like to get a real deal, silver 1200 MKII someday.. my crummy Audio Technica LP120USB 1200 clone just can't compete, even decked out with mods. If you ever get another cart/stylus, maybe give the Audio Technica VM540ML a shot.. I really dig it and have been using it for a few years now. ✌️
Hiya Frank! In talking about Technics in general, have a 1510 and love the daylights out of it...it runs an Ortofon Concorde STD and it sounds AND runs awesome. I have a couple of Pickering V15s from other 'tables (I have 22-ish)...hearing your take on yours I'm going to give mine a try...thanks for the video(s)!
back in the days in canada the 1200 was sold in black or silver. Actually the 1210 has a power converter switch for 120/220 volts they where mostly in black and very few in silver
I think they were used only in the smaller stations with small budgets. Many stations used the Technics "SP" series: SP25, SP15, SP10.. Often paired with an ATP-12T tonearm. My neighbor is a retired broadcast engineer from the vinyl days. We've talked about these TT's quite a bit.
I have a Mk2 from ‘89 and absolutely LOVE it. I also have a Pro-Ject Debut Recordmaster. The Pro-Ject doesn’t get much use either. The Technics is just superior in every way to me and I’ll never sell it. Looking to get a new release in Red.
Hey Frank, I just financed a new 1210gr and a 2m Bronze I upgraded to evergreen rca s. I Kept my pro ject dc and 2m blue which still sounds good but the technics sounds brighter/fuller when I do a-b.
This made me realise it's now close to 20 years that I bought my SL-1210M5G. I've never done anything on it, it always worked well. No issue and great sound all around. Great Value!
I bought a pair well-used from a DJ in the year 2000. Apparently one was a 1999, the other 1996. I love 'buy once, use forever' products. That's the 1200/1210. Unless the tone arm is bent or damaged, generally speaking, they can be serviced back to perfection by a good technician well.
I would love to have one I just recently bought a fluance rt85 with the acrylic platter and I’m happy for now but if I ever get a chance I will gladly jump on it
I just recently bought a Sl-1200MK5 from Japan for about 800(Power Supply Transformer Included). I love this turntable and it sounds incredible. I'm using the vm540ml and also just upgraded my speakers in my home theater system. I love this turntable so much. It knocks everything out of the water I've compared it to. What's really interesting is how it sounds paired with my older amplifier(1980s Yamaha A-20) compared against my new Denon s960h Reciever.. This is a huge toss up for me and I can't really make any decisions on which to use atm 😅 Congrats on this incredible find 👏 Very curious on those cartridges you got going on here. I'm going have check these out here sometime soon.
Just pre-ordered the limited edition Technics SL1200M7LPK in the red color from sweetwater. Should take delivery in August, can’t wait. There were a variety of colors available. I’m psyched because I can spin 3 different speeds and no built in pre-amp like the audio Technica turntable
Many people are unaware that all Technics SL 1200 series turntables have a pivot to spindle distance of 214.5 mm, which doesn't match the specified 215 mm. After watching the HiViNyws Channel, where he used a Dr. Feickert protractor to measure at 215 mm, I purchased the same protractor only to find that it also measured 214.5 mm. I then tried another brand of protractor with the same measurement. I own an SL1200G and two SL1200MK2 turntables. If you attempt to align your stylus using an arc protractor based on 215 mm, you'll never achieve proper alignment.
A wonderful turntable of direct drive! Actually, Frank there is a Technics SL-1200MK7 Direct Drive Turntable sold at Bay Bloor Radio in Toronto, Ontario (if I can mention that store here). The advertisement on the web page of that web site is, "Now available in black (SL-1200MK7) and silver (SL-1200MK7-S)". Therefore, such a choice for a Technics SL-1200 Direct Drive in a black painted version is actually available!🔉🎵
Im looking at a new SL1200 MK7. £899.00 UK price. Will be connected to my Denon AVR-X6700H AV Amp. (I have the Denon set to Pre-Amp, mode, all 13 channels have Emotiva power amps, and of course a pair of SVS powered Subs) I was looking at the older versions, but the new models have Phono/RACA sockets, which means I can place the deck on a separate HIFI rack. (my solid steel rack has a Monitor Audio Gold 350 centre speaker on top) so as I listen to music and watch movies/shows, the new model seems to be the perfect fit for my set-up and use case scenario. A robust deck with a good sound.
Awesome turntable man congrats!! It seems ALOT of companies made that exact looking turntable my Audio Technia AT LP120XUSB looks just like it and my old 70s M.C.S looks just like it also..do you know why so many look the same? Maybe you could make a video explaining it. Have a great day Frank!!!
I have an MK5 and I love it, got it for 650 CAD in somewhat rough condition but managed to fix it myself. I like it, very silent, I also have no complaints on the tonearm, but compared to my Kenwood KP 990 the music coming form the Technics feels like it is attacking me a bit more, its less smooth. This is mostly apparent with quieter background sounds which feel much more present. I think this is due to the torque on this specific direct drive motor and the bearing but I am not entirely sure if that makes full sense to me, people say a lot of stuff online hahah. I am soon getting a Technics SL150 MK2 with a SME 3009 Type 3 tonearm so I will do a proper listening test. I love how the Technics looks and operates tho, I feel bad letting it go even for something that is supposed to be better sounding.
I got a similar (tagged 1210) and as you say it's the same turntable as the silver, , i've heard some rumours that What's splitting them (black and silver) is just the colour, that's it, they are identical, and the other rumours is the the silver is intended for radiostations and home use, and the black is for DJ's, i don't think it's not the case, i think as for other turntables the Technics has two colours to choose from, that's it, i't's a lot turntables who has different colour, but the same tagnumber, i don't think it's a big deal, the tecniscs was just markeded them with different colours.
I owned an SL120 (not 1200) which was more or less the 1200 supplied without a tone arm so that you could install whatever you liked on the blank tone arm plate. It was silver. Purchased in 1977 for a think $400 which is around ten times that in todays money. I had a Shure SME tone arm and Mk.3 cartridge, added audio insulators under the feet...
from what i understand, the 1200s were fixed voltage for the countries it sold in and the 1210s have a switch under the platter to change voltages from 240v to 110v if you were hopping from country to country.
Hello to everyone in this comments section! I am currently investigating the issue of analog vs. digital pitch. It seems that all SL 1200 MKn (for n==6 (including MK5G) which are digitally controlled. While Pioneer clearly indicates pitch resolution for their PLX-1000 (= 0.016%), Technics does not (and does not even reply to anyone asking for). Digital pitch seems to exhibit an issue in that respect: ruclips.net/video/hbqvcFSYA8M/видео.html (see also my comment below that video). Open question: can someone make a scientific (=measured) assessment of pitch resolution for any SL 1200 (in particular, analog vs digitally controlled versions)?
I’ve still have my 2 1210 technics turntables . I use to deejay back in the day . Now I have a native instruments Dj controller with motorized jog wheels . Those technics last forever. I’ve had mine since 1993 . They still work. I just need to change the audio cables on them .
Keep an eye out for the discounts on the next model up - the SL-1200GR - got a new one for $500 off ..$1299 due to the GR2 releasing.. Technics are amazing 🔥
When I was a mobile DJ I had a pair of SL1200 M3D and man I miss those bad boys. I will look at the used market at some point to see if I can nab one. They just run like a top. Currently I have my ATLP120XUSB.
I prefer the 1200 to many ‘audiophile’-style minimal turntables like Regas and Pro-Jecta. The 1200 has a bounce and punch that makes music sound lively in a pleasing way. There are dozens of cartridge options to suit your taste
Which Jico stylus did you order for your Pickering XV-15/625E? Was it the exact replacenent for that cartridge? Also, do you use a preamp? If so, which one? Thanks.
Everyone likes a naysayer and being one...... Frank are you sure that is a turn table and not a cheap pizza over????? That looks a like the Ronco 1210(M) counter top pizza over??? Don't forget Ronco spray hair!!!! HA!!
I have lusted after one for years. I just broke out my Technics SL-3300 from the early 80's or maybe it was the late 70's, it's all such a blur...😇 I started raising kids and realized that playing records was not going to work, I could not holler at them for being kids, so off it all went into storage, and the CD buying/listening was born I still lust after an SL-1200. How do you think it compares to the vintage SL-3300, (no quartz lock) fitted with an Audio-Technica VM 540ML/H cart? The 1200 looks better! If I was rich I would definitely be a TT collector, they're just so damn cool looking, and if you think about how they gather and produce epic sound it just seems like magic. I have to fight the urge just to own one for having one. Interested in your opinion, or any other's that might care to enlighten me
Yup, I have the silver model and I also have a Jico stylus (ATN-15SS for a vintage Audio Technica AT15 cartridge). Unfortunately, JICO raised their prices in May. Did you know that you can get an Audio-Technica MG10 Headshell on eBay that is threaded? It is about US$60. Additionally, I was spinning some new to me wax and I noticed one channel was 'weak'. Some Deoxit on a pipe cleaner and cleaning out the rca jacks on my Anthem Statement D2 and the rca cables cleared that up!
In the Midwest US we say "tech-neeks". I've never bought vintage equipment. Is it risky? I imagine it's hard to find people who can repair them. If you had a budget of, let's say, $600 to $1000 on a complete system in 2022 what would you (or anyone) recommend? I'm starting over from scratch, was gonna go with new because I know nothing about buying vintage. Perhaps you could do a video on that? TT, Stylus, Receiver, Speakers and any accessories for under a Grand. A few different choices and price levels would be nice. Also best places to buy them. I'm obviously no expert and could use the advice. Thanks.
Many recommend to have the capacitors and pitch control replaced to give you years of trouble free use. Some of the Technics SL-1200s can have motor issues. A replacement motor can be bought easily. The only drawback is the tonearm. SME makes a good replacement for the Technics tonearm.
Your statement is not necessarily true. I had 2 technics back in the 1990s. One was SL1200 and the other was the black SL1210, both bought in the US brand new at reputable big name music shop. I bought one of each because I liked having 2 different colors. In fact both models widely available back in the 1990s. No disrespect here, just want to point this out. Thanks for the great content otherwise.
A huge misconception is that the SL1200 was designed for the DJ marked. Technics initially designed it for the high end hifi market. DJ's picked up on them due to their high torque and fast spin up speed. And that is when the SL1200 concurred the DJ marked for many many years. Anyway, I still have my SL1210 MKII as well. I did buy an SL1200G recently though. It is my way of saying thank you to Panasonic to bring back this iconic turntable. I did sign the letter that was send to Panasonic back in 2010 asking to continue the production. This letter was signed by more than 10000 fans; I was one of them.
@@defcreator187 Yes, after DJ's picked up on them. As I said, this is a huge misconception people have about this iconic turntable.
@@defcreator187 Pascal is right
@@defcreator187 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200
@@defcreator187 I think the broadcast turntables used at radio stations more often were the 1200's cousins, the SP-15 and SP-25. I have one of each and they are tanks. I also spin an SL-1500 MKII, another DD similar to the 1200. I bought the 1500 at a thrift for @25.00. It had no cart and a few cosmetic issues, but other than that it was a solid deck. At home I did a thorough inspection and cleaning and put it in my office next to the SPs.
The 1200 mkii was developed to build on the unintended application of the mki in pro DJ use. The mki is in many ways a scaled down sl1100 which itself derived from the original sp10 - same motor on all 3 I think. The mkii is a brilliant piece of work and the features such as instant start/stop, pitch slider, cuing light and exceptional damping are clear indicators of it’s pro design pedigree. It can make a great hifi deck, but may need careful cartridge choice given the arm is designed for low compliance heavy trackers for club use.
Technics also supplied tables without a fitted tonearm as denoted by the lack of the last zero in the model no - ie sl110/1100. There was indeed an sl120 mkii which could be construed as a hifi deck when paired up with an SME arm or similar. These must be rare as I’ve never seen one.
18 months later, how about 18 years later over here, YES! It is the BEST 🙌
The technics is the workhorse of turntables.....you can never go wrong with a vintage technics...😁👍
You absolutely can go wrong.
They almost all have been (ab)used by many DJ's, who typically didn't treat them as delicate HiFi equipment, and did things like max out the Tonearm angle, applied huge weight to the tonearms etc. Many tonearms on decks in the used market have taken a nasty hit at some point either from being in a house party / club environment, or simply just the sheer amount of transport these things see when they belong to a DJ.
This is a big deal, because the bearings in the Tonearm gimble in the 1200 & 1210 MK2 are EXTREMELY fragile, and the market is flooded with damaged 1200 & 1210's... To the point it seems it is actually rarer to find one that ISN'T damaged. DJ's would never notice this, as they slap so much weight on the stylus, the thing digs itself into the record so hard, and they still sell them as fully working perfect condition decks. Unfortunately, if you are trying to carefully listen to a record on a HiFi setup and use a relatively light tracking force, those broken gimble bearings are a complete nightmare. They are a very expensive and tricky fix, and even buying another used tonearm on ebay, there's a high chance THAT tonearm also has damaged bearings (speaking from personal experience on that).
People should be very careful when buying a used 1200 or 1210 for HiFi use. Never buy one online without a written guarantee from the seller that the tonearm is balanced/stable and doesn't move by itself when the anti-skate is set to zero.
@@DaGleese I bought a used 1200 mkII around 15 years ago and the tonearm bearings were badly damaged. It didn't even occur to me it could be a thing. There was very definite play (even forwards to backwards) and it could end up adding a clunking sound on warped records. Very kindly somebody who experimented with using an expensive tonearm gave me the one that originally came with their turntable as an new replacement. I now have a frankendeck as it was from a 1210 but it was at my hand. I also get some odd shaking from the cart I use on some high frequency bursts but otherwise I'm very happy with it as a home turntable.
@@GenerallyGroovy good to hear you got there. I also wound up with buying a "perfect original mkii" but ended uo buying 3 replacement tonearms, with one final complete tonearm assembly (the entire black base, gimble, and tonearm assembly) before I got my table working properly. I wish there was more info around about this before I bought my deck. Everything was all just "old technics is rock SOLID, especially 1200/1210 mkii!!!" wish I'd seen a heads up about the highly likely potential nightmare costs involved in getting this turntable working before I the tons of cash at a "working" deck. If it looks anything like it belonged to a, dj and they say its "perfect working order" RUN!!!
@@DaGleese You can buy a "frankenstein" deck, made out of SL-1200 parts from different generations. It still works good but is not a MK2 or MK3 or MK5 which you wanted to have. I personally would avoid the last MK5 generation, there standards were reduced, because only electronic DJ`s were buying them at that time. Electronic DJ`s don`t need a hi-fi device.
I bought a SL1200MK4 from Japan. This model was only available in Japan. This was considered the first audiophile SL1200. It has a Titanium tone arm, removable RCA cables and a 78 speed selector.
You are definately cooler than everybody else.
@@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez You too!!
That is a dope turntable it play 78 too I'm looking for one oh do a trade 👍😎 original technics 1200
why, do audiophiles today only work with average quality turntables,what about the top models from technics like the SP´s or SL-1000 ,SL-1000mkII and SL-1100, regards
the mk4 and the LTD's in good shape in the US are unicorns
EFF thar DJ only monicker!! Butthurt competitors had to disparage the SL1200 thru the Audio press and sales people of the competition because how can their chintzy fiber board TT compete with a rugged and good sounding SL1200 that floooded the 2nd hand market. I always pick one up and I would be surprised f it has issues. What else. They said its noisy because its Direct Drive and the S tonearm is bad. Seriously, none of them is true. I tried to look for those problems and could not find it on my home set up. You must have dainty ears but there is nothing wrong with them stock. If you don't like the way it sounds then get a different TT but it is not a bad sounding TT, Its an excellent sounding one. It just keeps rising in price and you can't say that about the competition. People who know just know. Stuck up Audiophiles can just suck it!
I accumulated 3 1200's and I don't see ever getting another turntable as long as these continue working. They are everything I look for in a turntable.
Hey Frank, I agree with you totally! I've had my 1200MKII for well over 10 years, and I absolutely love it! It is and always will be my main table. It is built like a tank, and sounds fantastic in my personal opinion. I have an Audio Technica AT-150MLX cartridge and stylus on it and it really pulls the frequencies out of the grooves. I can't say enough about SL1200 tables, they sound great and are built to last!
Cheers
I own an SL-1200G.
While the SL-1200MK2 is built like a tank, the SL-1200G is built like tank destroyer - even more solid.
It has RCA plugs on the back, modernized motor, brass platter and a magnesium tonearm.
Highly recommended.
I have the little brother 1200 GR.
i think i´ll not buy that ,throw your SL-1200 from a balcony ,the G model , like a second floor than go and get it and than tell me how it works i made that already very drunk and high and when in the next day i went to the balcony after having a cofee mug i went outside to catch fresh air and saw a turntable in the midle of the street , i was not remenbering well the night before but i went to get it and either than having the cover broke everything else was perfect so i already saw the G but it´s not as well built as the 79 mkII, as everything else in this world
@@RUfromthe40s I used to own a pair of MK2's.
Had an M5G and MK4 later on.
MK4 was by far the best in the original 1200 lineup IMO.
But in my comparisons the 1200G was better with quite a margin.
Used, tested and opened all of them.
I currently have an MK7 in my secondary system, which is actually a downgrade from an MK2, in terms of tonearm lift and how solid the plinth is... especially the tonearm lift of the MK7 is very flimsy.
Bearing quality is better though.
@udio You must live in Japan ?
We didn't get a Mk4 here in the UK.
I have owned every model in the SL1200 range, and personally, the best version I thought, was the M3D. Better than the Mk5 for me, and I traded them for a brand new pair of Mk5, regretted it ever since.
@@DjNikGnashersNah I imported an MK4 and swapped out the transformer with a multi-voltage one; it was basically a drop-in replacement.
I'm from the Netherlands btw.
That's the turntable I want eventually. I don't understand turntables that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some of the people who who design & make amps & other stereo components that cost tens of thousands of dollars use a Technics themselves. Nelson Pass of Pass Labs for example uses a Technics 1200. However I really love the Audio Technica 540 ML cartridge/stylus.
Some people like to spend their money on expensive things. I hope they enjoy their $$$ tables.
by and large every newly made turntable is shit. The Pro-Ject ones? Shit. Especially if you hold them accountable to their claims. They literally claim some kind of audio nirvana, which is objectively comparable to the performance of technics' entry level turntables. At a huge cost! Making a bad turntable just wasn't an option for Technics back in the days, entry level or top end production; bad turntables wouldn't sell in a world where good turntables are cheap.
To the few saying they didnt make 1200s in black. Your wrong. Yes! The 1200 did come out in black! I can tell you anything about technics turntables. For many years, from 1979-98ish there was no 1200 in black. So if you see a 1200 in black, just know its newer. No 1210 is silver. But 1200s did come out in black! But, in september 2006, they discontinued making new 1210 line and just made 1200s in black and silver. They did however keep producing the mk2 until 2010! Marking a special serial number for 1 month of september to mark the end of the 1210. In November 2010 . They stopped production of all turntables. News spread in the dj world fast, I know this as i sold them in a dj store. And also found out as it happened! Many djs bought a couple to put away. In case the runours were true, others werent phased and stuck to buying pioneer cdjs as they were now taking over anyway. Technics was a japanese company. Until 2016. When another company aquired it. a malasian company. Manafacturing mk7 out of malaysia! Not japan!!. Which many djs including me hated. It just wasnt a classicly built technics. Sure it has a couple gimicky features like reverse, and a diffferent colour strobe option, but. The mk7 were made from the ground up. With an entire new design, from an entirely different manafacturaer, in a different countyley. The mk7 literally preys on nostalgia of the real deal. compared to the old, those are chalk and cheese, apples and oramges. Buying JAPANESE MADE comes with quakity assurances. Look at seiko watchesz theres a reason JDM models of the exact same watch are worth more than thier european counterpart! Japanese QC! If you know you know! If you didnt now you do. 😊 for you mk7 heads, yes, i know.. YOU CAN still mix on a mk7. Its just not as pure, accurate, and has less charm than the awsome 1200/1210s of old. Also, fir anyone wanting to discount the 1210 in any way, your crazy. They have the exact same internals as a 1200. Most djs could not afford 1210s, me included. I bought my 1200s in 1994, and the 1210s were an extra 200usd dollars just because they were black. I also think there are still a lot of djs of golden era who dont think they made 1200s in black, because it was done much later in the life cycle of technics. And thats fine, they just didnt know cos thier decks worked so well, there was no reason to look at another pair yet alone shop for new ones. 😂 this was and is, a very expensive hobby. And at the tinlme. If you were serious about djing, you invested in these. Amd that investment gave you a pass into buying vinyl, which lead to paid gigs if you were good. and if you ever needed money, you could always pawn in your decks knowing theyd pay high prices for them. Unfortunately. They are very hard to find in good condition these days.. If you see a 1200/1210 in good condition. BUY IT! Best models of course were mk2, duh. Mk3 were more for audiophile but have the same great build, mk3D introduced no click feauture! This was AWESOME! But, not worth buying new decks over, many mk2 owners would just take out the ball bearing at quartz lock anyway if they wanted that. But they also look nicer imo. mk4, mk5. Mk5 had the most black 1200s i believe from memory. Mk6s were limited numbers! And had a blue target light. And limited numberd Only 3000 or something, and also had digitally controlled pitch adjust. M5G were also digitally controlled, in piano black, with blue leds. And improved tone arms, but mixed a lot different, look great, but dont work as good for mixing. 😊 btw, I have a collection i have 1 of the last 1210mk2 off the production line! Still in box unopened and sealed. My every day decks are my mk5. For some reason, i had a hard tine finding 1210mk5s, but if you want to know ehich is the best from someone who owned every model. For DJing, any mk5. Or, m3d. I think the mk5 being newer, with all the GOOD upgrades from previous. If you are a audiophile guy , who needs to also play 78 records, there is a a mk4, it also has rca that can be easily unplugged from the deck. With the extra 78 button for 78 records. the mk4 had this feauture. They can also be djed on with the same feel of a mk2. If you are a DJ and want new condition classic turntables. Shop for the black 1200, mk3d or some mk5., being newer they may show newer condition over say a mk2. I found this to be true after spemding 6 years shopping for some. I really wamted some in good shape. Just expect to pay fpr them. By the time you read this they will be even rarer. The current 'average' price is around a ironic 1200 usd each used, for most models. Pro tip, Do not pay that much for mk7s! Why!?! Lol
Owned lots of turntables, as I have been a DJ since 1980.
Nothing comes close to the SL1200 for the money.
I personally think the very best version was the M3D, better than the Mk2 and the Mk5.
I love my two 1210s ( I’m in the uk). Love the build quality and the tone arm is perfectly fine for me and I love the actual look of it. Mine are fitted with Audio Technica VM95e cartridges which I’m soon upgrading to VM95ML It’s a classic design which has been emulated but never equalled in my opinion.
Bought a Technics a few months ago to replace my dead Clearaudio Concept and I was so impressed with the simplicity of the setup and adjustments and it sounds great. I absolutely love it.
Iam done to. Plx1000 destroyed in comparision one by one every technics to 2000 bucks
Just a look at the specs is enough for anyone to realize that this is SERIOUS gear. But it is no-nonsense, and many people are used to nonsense, hifi not being an exception...
Hello Again my name is Mr Cannadine T. Boxill-Harris, how have you been Keeping up to Lately, I was wondering if you need to do the other way round Lyrics in you’re own word Lyrics but sing it differently in the original Extended background Versions of those Particular song’s By Andrew Gold and The Korgis, Never Let her Slip Away and Everybody got to learn Sometime, why don’t they just Replace the Synthesizer Strings Sound to a Two Musette Accordion’s sounds and make those two Musette sounds for those Two Accordion’s 4 to 7 and a half times more Deeper then the Original Synthesizer Strings Sound that they have used for this Particular song called Everybody’s got to Learn sometime and also Replace the Xylophone Sound to a 17 Times More Deeper Chime Bell or Even a 22 Times More Deeper Still Drum Sound, Because it is Still one of my Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Favorite Song’s Ever Since I was about 10 Years of Age Thank You and I Like 👍 you’re Remixing and Remake them 2 and a half times more Deeper Pretty Please X X
Running mine for more than 25 years....never thought of replacing it. (apart from the stylus)
This biggest problem Technics had, they just built them to well. Once you bought one (or a pair in my case for djin') you will never need to replace it. I've had my from new since 1996 and they are still going strong.
this is dj mixing table; sonically it's garbage actually. A dual 515 for $50 would sound better.
Our family used to have one but during a move to another city, during the move, some friends by accident, unfortunately killed our early model SL 1200, it was sitting on boxes at the top of the stairs going down to the basement and while moving stuff, tables, dressers, the box pile with the 1200 resting on top, went down the stairs 💔 , that was a 1200 from 1980 and these 2 morons dropped it down the stairs 😮
I've had mine since 2002 and it's certainly the best turntable I've ever owned.
It is a hard turntable to beat. Any deck that allows you to spin your entire body weight on, has got to be outstanding in construction! It's not just for the scratch perverts either - fitted with a fine cartridge, it will sing.
In Japan, it's _"Tech-a-neecs"_
Wow! Of course a 1210 is a 1200!! The 1200 and 1210 are identical!! The 1210 is assigned for the black model some people like black. I have the 1200GR. I just like the look of the classic silver. With the Ortofon 2Mbronze mine sounds excellent. 🎸🎸🎸
First! As I own myself 3 1200's as a dj and an sl-q2 hifi table as my hifi tt. I don't need another one
Love my SL1200MK-2, Decoded it to 1984 and currently running it with a 2M Blue and some vintage gear ( Sansui 7070 / ADS L810's ).. Sounds great to me and wouldnt trade it for the world!
Frank, you should look into KAB Electro Acoustics, run by Kevin Barrett. He sells some worthwhile upgrades for the 1200 that make it an elite table.
I have the exact same model and color. It’s what got me back into listening to and collecting vinyl. I won it on an eBay bid I didn’t think I would win because I didn’t think it would be the winning bid before I went to bed only to awaken finding it was mine. Then I worried that it wouldn’t work. But it came with a travel case and the shipping was free. I believe the price I paid was $470.00 US.
I love it.
Great turntable, great deal!
@@Channel33RPM indeed and thanks. I use an Ortofon blue, and a Grado mono cartridge.
I am a proud owner of a silver sl1200 since 1995!! And yes I still use it and it is my favorite no matter what. This thing is solid and sounds really really good. I use an ortofon red but I think i will upgrade it to ortofon blue
My 1200mk2 has been going strong since 1985 ..
Many higher end dj decks are built better and probably sound better that flimsy cardboard regas and projects
I love my SL-1210mk2, it's sounds fantastic. I did yearn for auto return though. So I bought a SL-1700mk2 as it has the same platter, motor, arm, target light as an SL-1210mk2 but also has the added auto return.
600$ is a solid deal. That's awesome. I have a Yamaha YP-D6 with a nagoaka mp110 going strong
I still got my 2 from 1986
Why do you have only one? It must be so lonely 😭 do yourself & turntable a favor, get your turntable a friend!
Have had my SL-1210 M3D and the new 1200GR and have been very, very happy with it. Got the 78rpm mod from KAB for my M3D and it has everything I need.
I've got the SL-1200 MK3D also. Bought it used from Japan back in 2019 for around $500 usd and it works terrific.
They only prob I have is the dustcover isn't attached. I just prefer it that way. I've read that it's quite a job to be able to attach it though and I'm not a mechanic in any sense of the word.
But oh well, I feel blessed to have this TT at all with the original dust cover. It's a tank!
Good choice. The SL 1200 is a great turntable. I went with the SL1900 for the full automatic option myself. It was built in 1978 and with proper care it works as well today as when it was new.It's hard to go wrong with Technics. Keep on spinnin'.
very helpful comment, now I will look to get a 1900 much prefer automatic
Mr. brian stewart see, there are home turntables in Technics
One of the biggest differences between the 1200 and the 1900, setting aside the fact that the 1900 is a fully automatic with repeat functions and disc size selection, is that the SL-1200 turntable motor from MK2 and onwards is quartz locked while that of the SL-1900 is FG servo, though of a higher quality design compared to other frequency generated servo systems. The turntable motor of the 1900 has adequate torque, but it doesn't have near as much as the 1200. But, to be fair, the 1900 doesn't need that much torque.
The turntable of the 1900 still spins smooth and steady; just make sure the speed selector switch and the pitch control potentiometers are clean; those are common points of malfunction with the 1900.
The plinth on the 1900 is also not near as solid as the 1200, being made of composite rather than aluminum. There is also not as much dampening of the plinth on the 1900 as there is on the 1200.
The 1900 omits the tonearm height adjustment that the 1200 has.
The 1200 was supposed to be a midrange-to-high end product while the 1900 was an entry level offering. The 1900 is simply not built to the same standard of quality. That said, the 1900 is still a very capable performer and holds it own very well against equally featured turntables from Pioneer and Sony. And, as usual with many Technics turntables, the 1900 is very reliable.
With regard to reliability, I'd take a 1900 over most Sansui tables any day.
@@Watcher3223What do you think about the fully Automatic SL1600 and 1650 changer ?? I like the 1200 but I'm looking for a automatic Direct drive.
@@kingofuseddurablecars.ls6040 I would say that a Technics direct drive tends to almost always be a safe choice when in good condition.
Of course, things to look out for would be the potentiometers on the pitch controls. Dirty contacts can cause problems.
I have two 1210’s I bought in new in 1992. That was 32 years ago. I DJ’d with them through the ‘90s and I still use them every week what’s more, they still look like new.
The 1200 is the greatest moment in turntable history. Thank you for the excellent video
I would think, just for conversation sake, that electrification , or developing flat recordings for easier storage , might also be significant developments.
Stand a well tempered Amadeus next to it and you might change yourmind
When I was stationed in S. Korea '77-'79 my first turntable was an Technics SL1200 in silver. Since lost amongst my many travels and adventures. I'd give anything to have it back.
I have about 20-ish Technics components with different market codes. There are certain internal and external differences and product divisions depending on the market it was sold to especially if they were branded as Panasonic. Panasonics “K” code for color is actually black vs. Technics’s anthracite/chocolate color. Some amplifiers in that case are quite odd here, Technics SU-MA10 are different than Panasonic SU-MA10 regarding inputs, output power, filtering capacitors…Panasonic doesn’t have phono inputs so your SL-1200 wouldn’t work with it. Similar thing with SU-V900 by Technics&Panasonic. Plus that color alteration too. I think I have posted few videos regarding this under my profile, RS-B965 is what I have from both Technics and Panasonic. Fun fact, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF TECHNICS’s TURNTABLES!!!!😱….yet 😎
I recently purchased the Technics SL-1200GR with a Sumiko Amethyst MM cartridge. Just under $2500 out the door. I love it and will not be looking for another TT. I will play around with the carts though.
I have been using a SL1200MK7 for about seven months and I absolutely love it. It will be the only home turntable I’ll use. 👍🏻
Don’t “upgrade” the cables. Most aftermarket cables are not as good as the original ones. They look shitty but they are very low impedance.
They look shitty indeed; that's because engineers know the looks are placebo. :p
Did you mean 'capacitance'? Low capacitance cables (as fitted to most Technics turntables) make for easier cartridge/pre-amp matching.... Impedance is normally supposed to a 'fixed' spec of approx 47kOhms; for magnetic cartridges anyway!
@@stevesstuff1450 YES! you are right. I saw folks measuring this capacitance, and the original cables directly soldered measured better than many expensive brands of cables and connectors. Those cables don’t “need” upgrade unless they’re broken.
@@undress62 : Exactly... Technics used to advertise - and include it in their instruction manuals - that the cable used on their turntables was a low capacitance; those who understand 'old-school' hi-fi know about the advantages of a lower capacitance cable... It's something completely missed by most modern turntable manufacturers.
Lower capacitance cables (and it also applies to the phono pre-amp being used too - some are lower than many others, such as the Rega Mini Fono), and this GENERALLY opens up the sound, not flattening high frequencies, and allowing for a cleaner mid-range, and a lovely clean bass... Higher capacitance will often squash these, and give a dull or almost muffled sound.
This is a generalisation, and is determined by the cartridge being used - some odd ones will require a higher capacitance!
In general though, keep the cable capacitance low, and you then rely on your amp/pre-amp to tailor the signal and sound (some expansive phono pre-amps have capacitance adjustments, along with impedance, and even RIAA curve adjustments!).
Technics got it right though on it's turntables; at least right through the '80s, into the '90s - from the cheapest, to the most expensive!
Nice turntable Frank. The main thing is that your happy with it. Upgrades can be done, but if you are fine with it, there is no need to change. The trouble with Audiophiles is the snobbery that can raise its head. I love hifi, but am not a snob about it.
Keep on spinning and enjoying your music.
I read about taking that medical rubber tubing (the type they put around your arm when taking blood) and cutting it up the middle long ways and putting it around the tone arm tube to dampen it.
I have a MCS Fully automatic Quartz lock and Technics fully automatic Quartz lock. MCS has a stereo cart and the Technics has a mono cart. Solid machines.
Yes. You probably have the last TT you will ever need. Believe it or not, your tone arm is state of the art. Why would you think that many different current clones and the re-introduced SL-1200's still have it? My 1948 Capehart flip-over record changer has a tubular "J" style tone arm with the first modern magnetic GE-VR cartridge. Many audiophile TT's over the years, like Empire, had tubular "J" or "S" style tone arms. We learned back in my radio station days that tubular, bent tone arms were the best of the best. My old QRK commercial radio station TT has a tubular "J" style tone arm.
I find it funny that modern turntable manufacturers choose to make "Frankenstein" looking TT's but don't take advantage of lessons learned from history. Pro-Ject has been catching on. There is nothing more cheap-o to me than a TT with an external belt drive with a straight shaft tone arm. The best BD TT's have a drive sub-platter with the main platter on top.
If you check, I believe that your Pickering has a higher output than most magnetic carts. Your cart may share it's body with Stanton.
Glad to see you are catching up and learning from hands-on experience. Some people and TT manufacturers will never learn.
I used 2 of the Technics 1200s in the 90s when I did weddings and parties. They are built like tanks. Still have them set up at home. Love them. Mine are silver but the black model looks sharp. Great video Frank.
The thing I was told it need the servomotor(?) needed to be replaced? He said he couldn’t find one. I was badgered to finally toss it out. I thought it wrong but I had a new stack system which, I still have along with three other portables, can’t have too many. The thing I liked about the Technics were the individual tweaking I could do, counter balance kept tone arm so it wasn’t resting on the record but it was the anti skating control. I had Harry Chapin greatest stories Live, two of them. Played the crap out of them with volume UP! There was a part of one track,same on both albums, that tended to skip over a few grooves. The anti skip control corrected that in conjunction with the counter balance and I was happy, very. Thing was , I had a Magnavox portable, speakers could be detached and turntable folded down, sturdy, could stack my 45s , never my albums too heavy, and none ever skipped even Harry C. Shouldn’t have given that one away either. Always liked the quality of Technics products performance. I’ll be upgrading in the future, again. As one of my others I can stack the 45s I won’t need one on my new turntable. It could be a mute point as if I don’t keep an eye on them, my 45s seem to somehow end up on the other side of the state at my youngest daughter’s!
Great video Frank! Always nice to see our beloved 1200s gettin some love. You have found your “end game” TT! They are the absolute best decks ever IMO. I’ve had a few over the years (4 MK2s, an M3D, & a MK5) of which, my first one, a MKll that I bought brand new in ‘82/83 is still my favorite. Although it still works great, I kinda semi-retired it so it’ll last another 40 years. For everyday use I’m using a Pioneer PLX1000 until I can one day afford a new 1200G. As for cartridges, I’ve been using the Ortofon 2M Bronze on both the MKll & the PLX and lovin it. Lookin to try a Nagaoka next. Btw, thx to you I’m now a VInyl Storage Solutions loyalist as well.
Lastly, down here in San Francisco, we say “Tech-Neeks”
always have, always will.
Take care and keep on spinnin Frank.
You know, it's so funny... I almost always say Tech-neeks... then when I recorded this video I blurted out Tech-niks. LOL. I have no idea why. glad you dig VSS!
Pioneer 1000 is a good turntable too not the wheel of steel but is close to it just simple a good torn arm for DJ scratch I got it too but to listen to my collection I tried them by scratching n they are great but for now I'm using it to listen to my collection I have 4 pair of technics silver since 89 working like a champ I throw a lot of party n is a champ 👍😎
i use the nagaoka MP-300 but recentelly i tried the Grado gold prestige III and it reproduces with great sound quality the records ,i even dare to say that being cheaper they may sound better than the Ortofon Black this in technics turntables wich i own several from the 70´s and also some pioneers and three thorens ,that they sound perfect and i tried several more modern turntables from several brands since early 90´s and i didn´t found one that could be better to the point of buying them because they sounded better than the ones i already own, regards
I know this will annoy purists, but I got myself a pair of secondhand Omnitronics BD1030 turntables for £20. They are almost identical to the Technics decks and sound great with an Audio Technica cartridge.
I've got it's little brother, the SL-1600, wish they made a modern version of it. I like the automatic features, but still the direct drive.
Great tt!
I've got the SL-1610... same tt except it's dark gray and can run on 100v or 120v.
I put high-end inter-connects on it and a Nagaoka mp-200 cartridge.... It's been my go-to turntable for 6 years.
Nice one, Frank! Very nice.
Can't go wrong with vintage Technics, especially the 1200MKII. Seems like you've done your homework on them, so you should be set. 😎
I have a highly modded SL1600, which I absolutely love, but I'd still like to get a real deal, silver 1200 MKII someday.. my crummy Audio Technica LP120USB 1200 clone just can't compete, even decked out with mods.
If you ever get another cart/stylus, maybe give the Audio Technica VM540ML a shot.. I really dig it and have been using it for a few years now. ✌️
Hiya Frank! In talking about Technics in general, have a 1510 and love the daylights out of it...it runs an Ortofon Concorde STD and it sounds AND runs awesome.
I have a couple of Pickering V15s from other 'tables (I have 22-ish)...hearing your take on yours I'm going to give mine a try...thanks for the video(s)!
back in the days in canada the 1200 was sold in black or silver. Actually the 1210 has a power converter switch for 120/220 volts they where mostly in black and very few in silver
I have the brand new SL-1210gr and it's not going anywhere. I love the thing to death. The only upgrade I'll make is the SL-1200G.
Nice turntable!
Aweosme.. I am using a vintage cartridge too ... an EPC-205c mk3. but liek you I got the Jico SaS on Boron.... it sounds amazing .. almost as my sl-15
I wonder how many radio stations used these? I remember a digital display quartz model even more expensive than this.
I think they were used only in the smaller stations with small budgets. Many stations used the Technics "SP" series: SP25, SP15, SP10.. Often paired with an ATP-12T tonearm. My neighbor is a retired broadcast engineer from the vinyl days. We've talked about these TT's quite a bit.
I have a Mk2 from ‘89 and absolutely LOVE it. I also have a Pro-Ject Debut Recordmaster. The Pro-Ject doesn’t get much use either. The Technics is just superior in every way to me and I’ll never sell it. Looking to get a new release in Red.
Hey Frank, I just financed a new 1210gr and a 2m Bronze I upgraded to evergreen rca s. I Kept my pro ject dc and 2m blue which still sounds good but the technics sounds brighter/fuller when I do a-b.
This made me realise it's now close to 20 years that I bought my SL-1210M5G.
I've never done anything on it, it always worked well. No issue and great sound all around. Great Value!
I bought a pair well-used from a DJ in the year 2000. Apparently one was a 1999, the other 1996. I love 'buy once, use forever' products. That's the 1200/1210.
Unless the tone arm is bent or damaged, generally speaking, they can be serviced back to perfection by a good technician well.
I would love to have one I just recently bought a fluance rt85 with the acrylic platter and I’m happy for now but if I ever get a chance I will gladly jump on it
The RT 85 is a great sounding turntable - and offers probably the best bang for the buck nowadays.
I just recently bought a Sl-1200MK5 from Japan for about 800(Power Supply Transformer Included). I love this turntable and it sounds incredible. I'm using the vm540ml and also just upgraded my speakers in my home theater system. I love this turntable so much. It knocks everything out of the water I've compared it to. What's really interesting is how it sounds paired with my older amplifier(1980s Yamaha A-20) compared against my new Denon s960h Reciever.. This is a huge toss up for me and I can't really make any decisions on which to use atm 😅
Congrats on this incredible find 👏
Very curious on those cartridges you got going on here. I'm going have check these out here sometime soon.
all turntables sound better on 70´s amplifiers or pre-amplifiers ,i do have modern amplifiers but the turntables i own are all conected to 70´s amp.´s
TheBest turtabke I ever had was the Technics SL1900
Just pre-ordered the limited edition Technics SL1200M7LPK in the red color from sweetwater. Should take delivery in August, can’t wait. There were a variety of colors available. I’m psyched because I can spin 3 different speeds and no built in pre-amp like the audio Technica turntable
A well built table, midfi sound ..!
1219 for 45s, 1229 for 2 or 3 stacking 33 vintages. 1200 Mk7 for single play and 1200 Mk5 for digitizing.
They're all tanks.
The pronunciation of Technics is "TECH-NIKS" with a short 'i' in the second syllable. (1:30) That is the *ONLY* correct pronunciation of the name.
Many people are unaware that all Technics SL 1200 series turntables have a pivot to spindle distance of 214.5 mm, which doesn't match the specified 215 mm. After watching the HiViNyws Channel, where he used a Dr. Feickert protractor to measure at 215 mm, I purchased the same protractor only to find that it also measured 214.5 mm. I then tried another brand of protractor with the same measurement. I own an SL1200G and two SL1200MK2 turntables. If you attempt to align your stylus using an arc protractor based on 215 mm, you'll never achieve proper alignment.
You mentioned the 1200 mk2 sounds better than your RT85 and other audiophile turntables in ways like depth. Why is this true?
A wonderful turntable of direct drive! Actually, Frank there is a Technics SL-1200MK7 Direct Drive Turntable sold at Bay Bloor Radio in Toronto, Ontario (if I can mention that store here). The advertisement on the web page of that web site is, "Now available in black (SL-1200MK7) and silver (SL-1200MK7-S)". Therefore, such a choice for a Technics SL-1200 Direct Drive in a black painted version is actually available!🔉🎵
Im looking at a new SL1200 MK7. £899.00 UK price. Will be connected to my Denon AVR-X6700H AV Amp. (I have the Denon set to Pre-Amp, mode, all 13 channels have Emotiva power amps, and of course a pair of SVS powered Subs) I was looking at the older versions, but the new models have Phono/RACA sockets, which means I can place the deck on a separate HIFI rack. (my solid steel rack has a Monitor Audio Gold 350 centre speaker on top) so as I listen to music and watch movies/shows, the new model seems to be the perfect fit for my set-up and use case scenario. A robust deck with a good sound.
Awesome turntable man congrats!! It seems ALOT of companies made that exact looking turntable my Audio Technia AT LP120XUSB looks just like it and my old 70s M.C.S looks just like it also..do you know why so many look the same? Maybe you could make a video explaining it. Have a great day Frank!!!
I have an MK5 and I love it, got it for 650 CAD in somewhat rough condition but managed to fix it myself. I like it, very silent, I also have no complaints on the tonearm, but compared to my Kenwood KP 990 the music coming form the Technics feels like it is attacking me a bit more, its less smooth. This is mostly apparent with quieter background sounds which feel much more present. I think this is due to the torque on this specific direct drive motor and the bearing but I am not entirely sure if that makes full sense to me, people say a lot of stuff online hahah. I am soon getting a Technics SL150 MK2 with a SME 3009 Type 3 tonearm so I will do a proper listening test. I love how the Technics looks and operates tho, I feel bad letting it go even for something that is supposed to be better sounding.
That's so true its a massive well built high end machine wrongly thought of as a dj deck. Stupidly sold mine
I have my 1210 Mk2 that I bought new 35 years ago…it’s still working perfectly it was purchased as a hi-fi deck.
I have black 1200s and black 1210s. I will upgrade the rca cables sometime soon.
I got a similar (tagged 1210) and as you say it's the same turntable as the silver, , i've heard some rumours that What's splitting them (black and silver) is just the colour, that's it, they are identical, and the other rumours is the the silver is intended for radiostations and home use, and the black is for DJ's, i don't think it's not the case, i think as for other turntables the Technics has two colours to choose from, that's it, i't's a lot turntables who has different colour, but the same tagnumber, i don't think it's a big deal, the tecniscs was just markeded them with different colours.
I owned an SL120 (not 1200) which was more or less the 1200 supplied without a tone arm so that you could install whatever you liked on the blank tone arm plate. It was silver. Purchased in 1977 for a think $400 which is around ten times that in todays money. I had a Shure SME tone arm and Mk.3 cartridge, added audio insulators under the feet...
from what i understand, the 1200s were fixed voltage for the countries it sold in and the 1210s have a switch under the platter to change voltages from 240v to 110v if you were hopping from country to country.
Hello to everyone in this comments section! I am currently investigating the issue of analog vs. digital pitch. It seems that all SL 1200 MKn (for n==6 (including MK5G) which are digitally controlled. While Pioneer clearly indicates pitch resolution for their PLX-1000 (= 0.016%), Technics does not (and does not even reply to anyone asking for). Digital pitch seems to exhibit an issue in that respect: ruclips.net/video/hbqvcFSYA8M/видео.html (see also my comment below that video). Open question: can someone make a scientific (=measured) assessment of pitch resolution for any SL 1200 (in particular, analog vs digitally controlled versions)?
I’ve still have my 2 1210 technics turntables . I use to deejay back in the day . Now I have a native instruments Dj controller with motorized jog wheels . Those technics last forever. I’ve had mine since 1993 . They still work. I just need to change the audio cables on them .
My techniques, SL2, hundreds have been going strong for 25 years
My TECHNICS 1200 MK 2 still runs perfectly after 40 years🥰
I had my 1200's turntables since 1986 when I started djing and yes they are built like a tank.
Keep an eye out for the discounts on the next model up - the SL-1200GR - got a new one for $500 off ..$1299 due to the GR2 releasing.. Technics are amazing 🔥
When I was a mobile DJ I had a pair of SL1200 M3D and man I miss those bad boys. I will look at the used market at some point to see if I can nab one. They just run like a top. Currently I have my ATLP120XUSB.
Have two and only have used the 1200s most of my life and career as DJ.
I prefer the 1200 to many ‘audiophile’-style minimal turntables like Regas and Pro-Jecta. The 1200 has a bounce and punch that makes music sound lively in a pleasing way. There are dozens of cartridge options to suit your taste
I bought a Technics 1500c turntable last year. Very happy with it
Is a 1979 Sony PS-T20 turntable any good? It is direct drive so do not need to worry about belts. 45 years old now, a hand-me down from my Dad.
Which Jico stylus did you order for your Pickering XV-15/625E? Was it the exact replacenent for that cartridge? Also, do you use a preamp? If so, which one? Thanks.
If I'm not mistaken, the only difference is the colour, so those "technics gods" should think before open their mouth. 🤦🏼
Everyone likes a naysayer and being one...... Frank are you sure that is a turn table and not a cheap pizza over????? That looks a like the Ronco 1210(M) counter top pizza over??? Don't forget Ronco spray hair!!!! HA!!
I have lusted after one for years. I just broke out my Technics SL-3300 from the early 80's or maybe it was the late 70's, it's all such a blur...😇
I started raising kids and realized that playing records was not going to work, I could not holler at them for being kids, so off it all went into storage, and the CD buying/listening was born
I still lust after an SL-1200. How do you think it compares to the vintage SL-3300, (no quartz lock) fitted with an Audio-Technica VM 540ML/H cart?
The 1200 looks better! If I was rich I would definitely be a TT collector, they're just so damn cool looking, and if you think about how they gather and produce epic sound it just seems like magic. I have to fight the urge just to own one for having one. Interested in your opinion, or any other's that might care to enlighten me
Try an AT-VM95 ML cart/stylus on your 1200. It’s a great combo as well.
Yup, I have the silver model and I also have a Jico stylus (ATN-15SS for a vintage Audio Technica AT15 cartridge). Unfortunately, JICO raised their prices in May. Did you know that you can get an Audio-Technica MG10 Headshell on eBay that is threaded? It is about US$60.
Additionally, I was spinning some new to me wax and I noticed one channel was 'weak'. Some Deoxit on a pipe cleaner and cleaning out the rca jacks on my Anthem Statement D2 and the rca cables cleared that up!
In the Midwest US we say "tech-neeks".
I've never bought vintage equipment. Is it risky? I imagine it's hard to find people who can repair them.
If you had a budget of, let's say, $600 to $1000 on a complete system in 2022 what would you (or anyone) recommend?
I'm starting over from scratch, was gonna go with new because I know nothing about buying vintage. Perhaps you could do a video on that? TT, Stylus, Receiver, Speakers and any accessories for under a Grand. A few different choices and price levels would be nice. Also best places to buy them. I'm obviously no expert and could use the advice. Thanks.
Many recommend to have the capacitors and pitch control replaced to give you years of trouble free use. Some of the Technics SL-1200s can have motor issues. A replacement motor can be bought easily. The only drawback is the tonearm. SME makes a good replacement for the Technics tonearm.
Your statement is not necessarily true. I had 2 technics back in the 1990s. One was SL1200 and the other was the black SL1210, both bought in the US brand new at reputable big name music shop. I bought one of each because I liked having 2 different colors. In fact both models widely available back in the 1990s. No disrespect here, just want to point this out. Thanks for the great content otherwise.