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Submitted by
David colon
a AudioPhile
from Date Reviewed: May 19, 2010
Bottom Line: Needless to say, this is one turntable that you either love or hate. I love it. Now I want to say that along with the 1200mk2 I have a VPI Scout and the Gyro SE with the Michell TecnoArm, TecnoWeight upgrade and the VTA adjustment sleeve. I have a Shure V15xMR on the Gyro SE, a Aurum Beta on the VPI and on the 1200mk2 I have the Denon dl103R. I have two turntables hooked into my Pre-Amp at all times. I have never given up on vinyl so I listen to lp's all the time along with my CD's. It's not important about all the other gear I have but because what is important is that we enjoy the music. And what makes one man happy may not make another but that doesn't mean a thing. If you are happy then that is all that counts. Ok, about the 1200mk2. I always have the mk2 two on line. I rotate the vpi and the michell all the time but that damn 1200mk2 just doesn't want to leave the system for a rest and I'm running it stock. No fancy upgrades for the technics. The Denon dl103R is very happy with the technics and unless you have the ears of an eagel and are more than just gifted with an audiophile "golden ear," I don't believe you will have anything to complain about this classic turntable. It's reliable, built like a tank, and this is one of the things that annoys many people, and the direct drive is dead on and smooth as silk. By the way, it really is important to periodically put bearing oil on the technics. This only only have to do about every three to five years and you can buy it at KAB for not to much money. Ok, look, I read Stereophile Mag. every month. I have been a subscriber for about fifteen years and I have come to understand that if you take the reviews too seriously there will never be any turntable out there that will sound good to you. Thing is that most of that "not sounding good," will be a product of psychoacoustics. I'm telling you if you are on the market for a turntable, maybe the last you'll need, then you have to do yourself the great favor of getting a listen to the Technics 1200 series. Look, I'm 62years old. I have spent a fortune over the years chasing that elusive audiophile sound and looking back I could have saved a lot of money just trusting my ears and not some salesman pushing the exotic stuff. If I had could only keep one table it would be the 1200mk2. In fact I am going to order the 1210m5g because the time is coming when these turntables are going to sky rocket in price. Oh, and forget the DJ link. These tables were first constructed for listening to music before they were opted by the DJ's for scratching. anyway, trust me, you won't go wrong with a 1200 series and a good cartridge.
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Submitted by
rkgreen
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: February 24, 2010
Bottom Line: I have had a Linn Sondek LP12 with an Ittok arm since 1982. It sounds great, but was a pain. Finally, when the power supply went, I learned that a new power supply would cost twice as much as a new SL-1200mk2.
I decided enough was enough--I wanted a turntable that just worked. And the Technics does just that. It is beautifully built, absolutely silent, and easy to use. It seems immune to room vibration. Did the Linn sound better? Sure--a little, and by that I mean very little. But the Technics is less fussy, and from all I can tell, far more reliable. You are also not expected to spend a fortune to regularly tune or upgrade the thing.
I already love the Technics, probably for the same reason that I love my Honda Accord. It just does its job really well, day after day, at a very fair (but not cheap) price.
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Submitted by
arctikdeth
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: March 24, 2008
Strengths: heavy, quality, sound great for a dj turntable, features.Weaknesses: bulky, heavy(if you call that a weakness?)
thats it..........Bottom Line: used this turntable for many years now and truouble free use is the best way to describe this. been dropped from about 3 feet, and no problems, still sounds great,..i use a dj cart because of the high output, i used to use a ortofon- x5-mc, because it sounds great, but the dj cart just snap right in the tonearm, very easy and great sound tight bass, great highs, and midrange is excellent, guitar solos are ear rattling w/ this.
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At: pro sound and stage
Similar Products Used: sony, other technics turntables, thorens
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Submitted by
Gino
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007
Strengths: Excellent musical performance with a neutral, soft and warm cartridge as the Shure m97xe.
Excellent technical performance from the DC motor.
Simplicity and reliability.
Good match with a Rega RB tonearm.Weaknesses: Can be bright and cold with some cartridges as the Grado Prestige Black. This cartridge is a good one but it is a better match with a belt drive turntable as the Rega Planar 25.Bottom Line: The Technics SL-1200 mk2 is the best turntable that I have ever had. It is not only a DJ turntable but a real audiophile turntable. I use it with the excellent Rega RB600 tonearm and the pretty good Shure m97xe cartridge.
The musical personality of the Technics SL-1200 mk2 is bright, dynamic, detailed and a little bite cold with a Grado Prestige Black cartridge. If you use a neutral, soft and warm cartridge as a Shure m97xe or Shure v15Vxmr or a Goldring Eroica H, the Technics will really sing at its best. With my Shure m97xe cartridge and Rega RB600 arm the musical performance is good on all the frequency range. Bass is tight and clear not muddled at all. Medium is sweet and warm. Treble is soft and extended. The music is exciting to listen to with plenty of dynamic and details.
The technical performance from this turntable is exceptional. The platter REALLY turns at the right speed. I don't feel any frustration about the accuracy of the speed with this turntable. When I listen to the Chopin Waltzes, the piano is well reproduced with any wow or flutter. Since I discovered the qualities of a good direct drive turntable as the Technics, I'm less interested to the belt drive turntables.
I listen to classical, pop, rock and ambient music with the Technics, Rega and Shure combo. I recommend this turntable without any shy because it can beat british belt drive design. You can take a look to my combo in the photo gallery at the component section on this website.
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At: I bought it used fro
Similar Products Used: Revolver standard turntable with Linn LVX tonearm.
Linn Axis turntable with Linn Basik+ tonearm.
Linn Basik turntable with Linn Akito tonarm.
Rega Planar 3 turntable with Rega RB300 tonearm.
Mission 775S turntable with a Mission 774 tonearm.
Rega Planar 25 with Rega RB600 tonearm.
I use a Rega Mira integrated amplifier and JMLab Chorus 715 loudspeakers.
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Submitted by
cmsdms
a AudioPhile
from Date Reviewed: August 11, 2006
Strengths: speed stability
silent
good arm
good sound qualityWeaknesses: For the money, none.Bottom Line: So many reviews, what the heck one more wont matter. For what it is worth I think this is one of the best turntables period!. i have been using a Denon 103 cratridge(in various fromats) for over thirty years and can say this cartridge sounds fantastic with the 1200(with added counterweight). Speed stability is the best. try playing some solo piano on this turntable and then try the same cut on ANY other and you will hear what I mean. The turntable is dead silent, no rumble. There may be better arms out there but this one is pretty high quality. if you buy this turntable for home use in my opinion you will not be dissapointed especially for the price. I have had many high end units and overall this is the best.
Price Paid:
$450.00
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