I don't understand why self indulging perfectionist audiophiles are posting their egotistical comments regarding the 1200mkii. The fact of the matter is that this turntable serves a purpose, and that purpose is to serve club dj's with a sturdy, durable, no-skip product when mixing vinyl at a party. To criticize Technics because it doesn't compare to the sound quality of turntables exponentially more expensive than it, is ludicrous. You make it sound like somebody forced you to buy a 1200.
Wake and realize that this turntable has been an industry standard for the past 15 years, and will remain as one of the best products of its kind for years to come. I'm so very sorry that it goes 'thud thud' at night when you forget to take off the needle, and equally as regretful that it's sonic output isn't as forgiving as your $60,000 home theater setup.
If you spin house, techno, hip hop, top 40, r&b, funk or polka, the Technics is unparalleled in quality and durability.

I love the 1200 and there is nothing that comes close. I am a DJ in need of these wonderful tools so if anyone has any for sale or knows where I can get a pair I would greatly appreciate it. Also I am selling my Numark TT1900 so if you are interested in those email me at DJNova32@aol.comPeace

These turntables kick arse! If your are dj'ing you can not get any better - built tough to last and last. I wouldn't leave home without one...

Mayyyybe it could use a 10% pitch bend, i mean, not more sensitive, but a longer slider, they havent changed it in 20 years, and except for this one thing, they really have no reason to, these things are built SOLID, i mean, they weight about 30 pounds each. there are a lot of newer tables trying to compete, like gemini's pt-2000, and vestax's new stuff, even numark is making some serious looking decks (finally) But all of them compromise, the gemini's lack in construction and overall quality, and the vestax's have digital pitch bend (WHY?!!) I started on garage sale trash, and moved straight to 1200's when i saved up enough money, and i recomend that to anybody (who wants to dj), cause if you buy anything less, you'll probably regret cause you'll outgrow your equipment, theres nothing worse than talent that is limited by technologyi gave 12's a 4 star even though they are the best out there no questions asked, they arent _perfect_

The gold standard of turntables

Cost

If you are DJ with aspirations, you would be stupid to buy anything else. Ridiculously well made, durable. Except for the covers. Buy Ortofon cartridges if you can.

If you aren't a DJ and don't care about ruggedness, scratching or spinning, I can't see why you would spend the extra money to get something like this.

The MK3D offers little improvement over the MK2s... most notably a little button that sets the pitch blend offset to 0%.

Well built, heavy,

none

If youre thinking of becoming a DJ, don't even think about buying any other brand of turntable. I've been a DJ for 2 years now and I don't regret my choice. These turntables are here to stay. They are well built and give you the total control you can ever demand. It might be heavy on the wallet at first but you won't regret it one bit. Some people might say that, for the price, it doesn't give you a lot more than cheaper turntables. To those people I say this: try droping your tables on the ground and see if they wil still work as well as if they were new ? I did it accidently with mine and they don't even have a scratch !
If you can't afford these turntables, just wait a few weeks 'til you do, it's all worth the wait, trust me. And for heaven's sake people, it's been here for 20 years, need I say more.....

Similar Products Used:

vestax
numark

One of the few holdovers from the heyday of the turntable - late 1970s

Prejudiced by the brand name

Even the early 1200s were constructed well. But all the competition from Thorens, Lenco, and some of the tangential arm turntables relegated them to the DJ circuit. In fact, i passed one up for an Empire 598 which is coming to the end of its service life after 25 years. Can't get belts for it any more and the arm's mass is too great for a half way decent cartridge. So, a 1200 II might be the way to go.

Very Durable. 30lbs of pure strength

Probly not the greatest for audiophiles. Made for DJs

If you want to DJ, get this and only this. I bought some Numark 1900 initally, and they suck. Trust me, along with others on this. Even the top moodels such as Gemini pt-2000 and Numark Pro TT-1 dont compare. I see people sell theirs to change for 1200's. Dont know to much about Vestax Turntables, but I heard they are OK. I dont about audiophile usage though. I wouldnt say its the best for that purpose.

Similar Products Used:

Gemini,Vestax,Ortofon,Shure,Stanton, Numark

A turntable will sound as good as the cartridge/needle it uses and the stuff in between it and the speakers/monitors. I hooked up an SL-1200 mk3 with Stanton 680HP direct through my Onkyo 50W receiver phono ins and the result was a nice club-in-a-room sound. I then hooked the SL-1200 to a Gemini 626 mixer and the result was a little less clear but much more boomy (used line ins rather than phono ins).

I replaced the Onkyo with an NAD C340 amp and the result is more clarity across the entire audio spectrum. I am sure that if I used an Ortofon 20-20K cartridge/needle, the result would be near-CD quality.

To the reviewer who thought this turntable sucked, what cartridge/needle did you use with it?

Like any turntable, you will need to play them in a dust-free noise-less environment for best effect. Perhaps the next logical step in this turntable's evolution is a reverse spin switch (it's available as a mod from someone) and they could work on a better "instant start" speed (but this is probably limited by the laws of physics).

I have seen the turntables with the digital pitch. I adjusted the pitch to the center detent on one and the reading was 0.1 (what the ???). That's stupid. The particular one I saw (Numark TT-1) felt cheap unlike the Technics.

Similar Products Used:

Numark TT-1

stability, reliability, sound reproduction THROUGH HUGE SYSTEMS FOR DJ'S, weight and technical support.

price

Deary me, Can all the TUBES that put in reviews about 'record players' as apposed to 'DECKS' please leave the room. These are purpose bulit dj tools. I think I will review a belt drive turntable that costs £1000.00 and give it a 1 star rating because I can't spin the record without the needle taking my face off.
Technics designed these as a robust dj tool, to be mixed through a comparable MIXER then through a large PA system. I don't think they were ever designed for spotty greasy twats with long hair and glasses to listen to, thinking 'oooh this doesn't sound like my 50 year old gramaphone with the $20,000 tone arm (currently under development at area 51) fitted through my home hi-fi system.
Dj's dj and idiots sit and listen to bob dylan (no offence bob) on their 'state of the art CD systems'. GUYS STICK TO REVIEWING YOUR OWN SYSTEMS AND LEAVE THE DJ'S ALONE. IF YOU WANT A CHALLANGE TO WHICH IS THE BETTER DECK, I WILL PITCH MY 30K CLUB SOUND SYSTEM WITH 2 X 1210'S AND PIONEER DJM 600 MIXER AGAINST YOUR HOME SYSTEM AND BELT DRIVE DECK.....OR WE CAN WAIT 'TIL THE BELT SNAPS............AS WE SAY IN GLASGOW, YER HEEDS UP YER ERSE

Similar Products Used:

gemini 2400 - as good as a copy gets