No more SL1200's are being made.

ben62670
ben62670 Posts: 15,969
edited November 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Production of the Technics 1200 and 1210 turntables will cease permanently this year, according to a statement that reportedly came from the product's owners, Panasonic Japan.

Various blogs and websites have posted translations of the press release as of late, which was originally written in Japanese. Music technology website Audiobeef posted this version on Friday:
Regarding our analogue turntable products, we have to inform you of our decision to terminate the business within this year, regrettably. Here are the reasons which made us reach this conclusion.

1. Since beginning of last decade, our sales of turntables have been decreasing drastically. They're almost one-fifteenth of the sales 10 years

2. Many key parts are no longer available as some of our suppliers stopped production or discontinued their businesses. Also, there is the risk that some key parts' availabilities might stop suddenly, and these parts are only being produced for our turntables. In that case we cannot produce the products that we have taken orders for already.

We cannot help discontinuing production in advance in order to avoid the worst case scenario.
Word of the iconic turntable's demise first cropped up a year ago when a similar statement leaked from Panasonic, only to be retracted shortly after a comment to Resident Advisor, a spokesperson from the company said there were "no current plans to discontinue the Technics brand and the production of Technics turntables." More info will be posted on this story as it becomes available.

That sucks don't it. They are going for up to a $1000 new. Amazon has the used 1210 for $500 used. Another one bites the dust to MP3's. I have been reading around the net and one reason for the demise of the legendary turntable is that I-pods hold so much music that DJ's can bring in their whole music collection in their pocket.

I am not Paul Harvey.
Good day.

Ben
Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben
Post edited by ben62670 on

Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    It's true. I made sure before I posted.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
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    Ben
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited November 2010
    WOW!! That does suck.. $1000 new???? I paid Like $480 For a SL1210 Brand New 2 years ago from Guitar Center on sale!!
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2010
    There are better tables available for less money.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    There are better tables available for less money.

    BDT

    Not when they used to go for $500, and you could find them used cheaper than that.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited November 2010
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Not when they used to go for $500, and you could find them used cheaper than that.

    I don't know about that. My Empire was 350 used, and it was considerably better than any 1200 set up I heard, even when the Empire was stock. Another 150 for the Rega arm, and I dare any 1200 set up to even try to touch it now.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    I had a project table and the 1210 beat it. The 1200 series you don't need to buy a speed control, replace belts, or upgrade the platter(like a cheap steel brake drum). Put a good cartridge on it and call it a day. I am not saying it is be all end all, but if you don't plan on spending a lot of coin it is a great way to get into TT's. The biggest downfall is the DJ cheap looking appearance that is a no no in HiFi. Sorry I am not familiar with empire, or the availability of parts.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2010
    Luckily, if you are in a big city, you can still find them on Craigslist for under $300 each or less.

    I still think they are THE best turntable for someone who is just getting into vinyl, bar none!
    They are solid, reliable, easy to setup, offer very good quality sound (with a decent cartridge), and they have guaranteed resale value if the newbie decides vinyl in not for them.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    Not for long. I was looking around here and half of the sellers are raising the prices stating that they are discontinued, and are going up in value :frown:
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2010
    Actually, I just checked and the rumors of complete discontinuation are false. They are only stopping the mk6 version.

    Read the updated story at Gizmodo.
    http://gizmodo.com/5675818/end-of-an-era-panasonic-kills-off-technics-turntables

    Apparently, the confusion came from translating a Japanese press release.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    I checked a lot of places, and they say the 12xx's will be no more. I would love to be wrong this time.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2010
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I checked a lot of places, and they say the 12xx's will be no more. I would love to be wrong this time.

    There is a pretty good discussion here that includes talk from someone who has insider connections:

    http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1286203675

    Sounds like they are still making the Mk2 and Mk5, but in very limited numbers. It is the Mk6 that is completely discontinued.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited November 2010
    another retired candidate for the HiFi Hall of Fame.
  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited November 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    First the DL160 and now this.

    Well, the good news is that we have our 1210/DL160s and these tables will still be working long after we check out, bro. :wink:

    I want a Dynavector for mine, dammit! :tongue:

    That is my current setup for my dive back into vinyl: 1200mkII (new in box) w/ a DL160.

    Easy setup, built like a tank, sonically pleasing....no TT tweaks for me for quite some time! :biggrin:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2010
    Even at 500 used, there is better sound to be had cheaper.

    Buying a used table is a fool's errand in most cases (with the caveat of unless you know what you are doing)


    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Even at 500 used, there is better sound to be had cheaper.

    Buying a used table is a fool's errand in most cases (with the caveat of unless you know what you are doing)


    BDT

    Not sure what you are getting at here Troy. I hope nobody is foolish enough to spend $500 on a used SL-1200. At $500, there are other choices that are better. However, I am still finding used SL-1200 for $250-$300, sometimes less. IMO, there is nothing that sounds better in that price range, new or used, unless it is a fluke deal.

    I also disagree that a used table is a fools errand, especially if we are speaking of the SL-1200. They are nearly bullet proof and easy to setup. Even if there is a problem, parts are cheap! Also, you will never loose money on an SL-1200 (unless you get gouged at purchase time).

    You seem to think that newbies are better off buying a new table, but I've seen many people have a tough time setting up those belt driven entry level tables that you are likely referring to (Project, MusicHall, etc). What happens if they decide vinyl is not for them? They loose money re-selling.

    When it comes down to it, I don't really think that anyone should attempt to get into vinyl without some help/advice from an experienced friend/relative. Things we take for granted might not come to someone who didn't grow up with vinyl.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited November 2010
    This news is unfortunate.
    It makes me think that Beck will now have to rap " I got two MP3's and a microphone..... ". Just doesn't cut it.
  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited November 2010
    I've always wanted one of these beasts of my own (I used 1200s when I worked at my college radio station back in the 80s)....I guess I better get one soon.
  • jagster
    jagster Posts: 13
    edited November 2010
    We used to sell the Denon top of the line table, and most thought it was the best they had ever heard. I was around 400 bucks and was just gorgeous. I have a Marantz 6300 now, and a Pioneer PL600(the early one) and both do the job. Spend bucks on a good cartridge and take the time to line it up correctly. This is old technology, and expectations are always ahead of actual performance. The capability of digital sound far exceeds the best of the old. Most folks want a TT to play the old stuff that never got on to CD's. Got to say those old Technics were workhorses, and you will still see them used today..
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2010
    I say that buying a used table is a fools errand because it's a crapshoot...unless you know what you are doing (and most don't when it comes to turntables)

    If you buy a 250-300 used 1200, which I've heard, consider that you still have to buy a cartridge....so you are still looking at 500 when all is said and done...and, btw, properly mounting the cart is no gimmie either.

    So, back at 500 bucks for a 1200 with arm and cartridge.....I still maintain you can do better for the same price or less.

    If you disagree, that's cool. YMMV as always. However, when buying a turntable, I'm of the opinion that used is a fools errand in most cases. Not only do you run the risk of bad sound, which tragic but you can overcome...but the chance that you can ruin your vinyl is a real possiblity.

    BTW, it's not just me who thinks this...even the audio rags make no bones about todays entry level tables being much better than what was available 20-30 years ago.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    I say that buying a used table is a fools errand because it's a crapshoot...unless you know what you are doing (and most don't when it comes to turntables)

    If you buy a 250-300 used 1200, which I've heard, consider that you still have to buy a cartridge....so you are still looking at 500 when all is said and done...and, btw, properly mounting the cart is no gimmie either.

    So, back at 500 bucks for a 1200 with arm and cartridge.....I still maintain you can do better for the same price or less.

    If you disagree, that's cool. YMMV as always. However, when buying a turntable, I'm of the opinion that used is a fools errand in most cases. Not only do you run the risk of bad sound, which tragic but you can overcome...but the chance that you can ruin your vinyl is a real possiblity.

    BTW, it's not just me who thinks this...even the audio rags make no bones about todays entry level tables being much better than what was available 20-30 years ago.

    BDT

    I don't see how you go from $250 to $500 when a nice Shure M97 is only $65. That cartridge is as good or better than what is mounted on any of the new tables for under $500.

    Also, its not like Rega, Project, MusicHall tables come out of the box ready to play. They also require some degree of careful setup which pretty much equals or exceeds any setup you need to do with an SL-1200.

    Please don't bring the sellout audio mags into it. Of course they say the new ones are better. Their advertisers don't make any money if people keep buying used mid-level tables from the 70s and 80s, which for anyone who has actually given them a chance, knows they are better than just about anything you can buy new for under $750.

    I will agree that these things are not for inexperienced vinyl newbs, but neither are any tables. That is why I said anybody just getting into vinyl who didn't grow up with vinyl should seek hands on help from a friend.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2010
    Look, I'm not turning this into a urinary Olympiad. The 1200 is an okay table. I don't find it all that musical, but YMMV. If you can mount and properly align a cartridge, then cool, most people can't (getting it on, not too difficult, but alignment?).

    Disagree about the the sure being as good as either the Orto's or the Goldrings. YMMV.

    I've bought a new Music Hall.....it was plug and play. Period. So, as far as them needing complicated setup? False. Black Bear.

    I've also done the vintage table thing. Direct Drive tables suck. Period. The AR was/is a good, musical table.....but it's, YMMV, the exception.

    If you dig the 1200, rock on. If you are sad they aren't being made, rock on. I'm just saying at the price, I'd look elsewhere.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Look, I'm not turning this into a urinary Olympiad.

    Obviously you are, because you need to keep coming back at my opinion. I've said all I need to say about this.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    Direct drives get a bad rep because most of them are on cheap tables. If anyone has felt the weight of the 12xx's platter you would understand why the direct drive works so well in that model. Also the tt is very heavily damped to with stand the vibrations that a mega watt club system can put out. Also the belt drive tables mostly use AC stepper motors. Ever turn one of those by hand? Thunk thunk thunk. They are also controlled by the HZ of the wall outlet. Well unless you buy the what most say is needed; a speed control. Add that to the cost of the fancy looking TT's. I am sure there are other great sounding tables out there used at that price point that sound great, but the 12xx's have been around for over 30 years. Parts are no problem. They are built like tanks to deal with transporting them so you really don't need to worry about parts going bad. Another good thing about them is they have a removable headshell. Installing cartridges on most TT's is a PIA. My TT simply take the headshell off and have very good access to deal with those tiny pieces.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited November 2010
    We can say all we want about a TT in this price range, you can tweek it (mat,clamp ect..) have a good cartridge, properly set up. But without a good phono pre amp none of these TT's in this price range are going to sound that good..

    IMO everything matters when it comes to any of these TT's

    My Technics SL1210 with my modded (Clarity Caps) Jolida JD9A phono pre amp with the Denon DL-160 is a fantastic combination. For the money I have invested in my TT setup I would have to spend 3 times the amount to gain anything substantial in sound..

    Larry.
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    Good point. Most that have heard the 12xx's have probably heard them with lower end phono pre's.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2010
    billbillw wrote: »
    Obviously you are, because you need to keep coming back at my opinion. I've said all I need to say about this.

    No, I keep coming back to it because you keep saying things that range from pure speculation to factually incorrect.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut