Turntables

Ayles · 03-01-2016, 11:30 AM

I love talking about turntables... so here is a little inspiration

A while back I heard that Technics was going to relaunch the SL-1200 series of turntables. If you have ever seen one in person they were total tanks and awesome pieces of equipment.

Today they announced the price... $4000!
Technics explains why its new SL-1200 turntable costs $4,000

I think they missed out on the vinyl resurgence and are trying to make up for lost time. I just don't see it competing very well with other audiophile grade turntables at that price.

ckelly78z · 03-01-2016, 11:45 AM

Why would they re-release old technology ? I'm not a vinyl purist, and really appreciate the better sound quality of newer technology. I have a stack about 2' tall of old vinyl records that I suppose I should sell on ebay, but if I can't find the time to quietly, and gently turn some albums (without scratching them), how am I going to find the time to sell them ?

Chocaholic · 03-01-2016, 11:52 AM

There's certainly a market for high-end 'tables, but with competitors like VPI at that price point (and far above), I think a "consumer electronics" name like Technics will struggle.

It's really about the gadgetry and bragging rights. Not sure mortal humans can hear the difference, especially between well designed 'tables (assuming same tone-arm/cartridge, etc).

My 10 year old Music Hall MMF-7 still amazes me to this day...and it was sub $1k.

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

No way it's gonna compete. There are a ton of better tables available at that price point and below.

For a thousand bucks less you could get a VPI classic or any number of other tables.

jhc · 03-01-2016, 12:51 PM

With a little bit of poking around you can find some nice turntables on Craigslist or ebay for a lot less money.

Here is my @1250 ebay find:

Ayles · 03-01-2016, 12:54 PM

Oh man! I love Oracle turntables. Most of their machines are total works of art.

nota · 03-01-2016, 01:00 PM

in the old days
the turntable did not inc the tonearm on the high end units

my ancient collins a commercial quality unit just was a turntable
somebody else made the tone arm
and a third corp supplied the cartridge

jhc · 03-01-2016, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayles

Oh man! I love Oracle turntables. Most of their machines are total works of art.

They are beautiful but a tad too sensitive for my wooden floors.
I've been told to put it on a shelf mounted to the wall.

I tried to buy a skeleton transcriptor (clockwork orange tt)on Audiogon but apparently it fell apart when the seller tried to pack it.

sand_man · 03-01-2016, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nota

in the old days
the turntable did not inc the tonearm on the high end units

my ancient collins a commercial quality unit just was a turntable
somebody else made the tone arm
and a third corp supplied the cartridge

It is still very much like that depending on the platform. I recently sold my prized SOTA Cosmos turntable, that was paired with an SME tonearm. I have had some nice decks over the years; SOTA, Well Tempered, VPI, Linn. Now, I'm back to a 1990s Technics SL1210-MKIII that I purchased new when I dabbled as a DJ. I sold its mate and have kept this one as part of a backup. Really a workhorse, if ever there was one. As for this latest release from Technics, I dunno...as others pointed out there is some nice stuff out there, both used and new.

SoCal911T · 03-01-2016, 01:31 PM

I have a restored Dual CS-5000 from the '80s. It's fine for my ears.

aschen · 03-01-2016, 02:34 PM

yeah the new 1200 is cool but I dont think they will sell a bunch of them at the ask. Everyone knew it was going to be around 4k for a long time now btw. I think they will sell them to nostalgic dj types more than to audiophile types.

Finding great deals on Cl, goodwill, ebay are much more rare these days than just a few years ago. If you really want a 1200 it is easy to find a used one, but they are 3-500 now it seems. Thats about what they were new.

I have a rega planar 2 for about 20 years and recently bought a vpi scout, but I am infatuated by some of these older tables as well. Would like to get an lp12 (linn) at some point

sand_man · 03-01-2016, 02:44 PM

I remember having a boner for this one back in the day. Just didn't have the $$$$ at the time! And looking back, maybe it didn't make sense anyway. Where are my Cronk teefs?

afterburn 549 · 03-01-2016, 03:21 PM

When they left tubes and turntables the music got a thin sound.
It lost texture or some not quite unidentifiable quality .
I do not care what the machinery says, my ears know.

sand_man · 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

When they left tubes and turntables the music got a thin sound.
It lost texture or some not quite unidentifiable quality .
I do not care what the machinery says, my ears know.

Lotsa people tell me this. Never ceases to amaze me, when i have someone over and tell them that they've been listening to a "record" (vinyl), amplified by tubes!!!!! Can be very engaging. I also have a nice solid state set, that many say sounds very "tubey"! LOL!

afterburn 549 · 03-01-2016, 03:50 PM

Its true !
Get next to an old jukebox and listen, you will be convinced!

HardDrive · 03-01-2016, 04:05 PM

$4000!!! lol. They're out of their minds. I DJ'd for years in my youth, and I still have my 1200s. One is an M3D, the other an MK5. I also have 6 (yes, 6) Vestax turntables of various types.

1200s aren't audiophile decks, they're for DJing. Direct drive with a giant electric motor right under the platter. Way more 'rumble' than an audiophile deck. Technics is vastly over estimating the allure of having a 1200. These days there are tons of companies making DJ decks that are fantastic. Pioneer makes decks every bit as good at the old 1200s for around $700.

I predict the price will drop rapidly to around the $1000 mark in short order.

sand_man · 03-01-2016, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

$4000!!! l

1200s aren't audiophile decks, they're for DJing...

Agreed. An audiophile does not need +/- pitch adjustment or instant start for vinyl enjoyment!

Dave Kost · Dave Kost's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by sand_man

Lotsa people tell me this. Never ceases to amaze me, when i have someone over and tell them that they've been listening to a "record" (vinyl), powered by a tube amp!!!!! Can be very engaging. I also have a nice solid state set, that many say sounds very "tubey"! LOL!

Vinyl audio is a "disease" just like Porsche's are.

One of my setups is a Maplenoll turntable with a Scott 298 tube amp thru Klipsch Cornwalls. YEAH BABY!!! Add some mono Blue notes

The Cornwall's can move some air.

https://youtu.be/XiJzLfxWooo

Ayles · 03-01-2016, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Kost

Vinyl audio is a "disease" just like Porsche's are.

One of my setups is a Maplenoll turntable with a Scott 298 tube amp thru Klipsch Cornwalls. YEAH BABY!!! Add some mono Blue notes

The Cornwall's can move some air.

https://youtu.be/XiJzLfxWooo

I love old klipsch speakers. I have a set of kg4s from the 80s that sound pretty damn good through my tube gear.

pwd72s · 03-01-2016, 11:31 PM

You drive a Porsche to make a statement, right?

Shouldn't your turntable also be a STATEMENT?

Clearaudio Statement Turntable