Technics SL1200 MKII

polkatese

I have this table for over 15 years, and bought an Ortofon cartridge back then. What is the general consensus of this table (other than it's a workhorse for most DJs in its heyday)? It's a direct drive as you know, how one would update this table into a semi audiophile gear?

I might resurrect it from its retirement, if it's worthwhile. Still have my vinyl's collection from the 80s.

heiney9

I had one as well and they were all the rage in the 80's early 90's. It's a decent table worth restoring but the more audiophile tables of today Music Hall, Project One, etc, etc are probably "better" sounding and certainly more flexible as far as adding updrades like arms, plinth, platters, etc.

It's a soild TT far beyond what was being offered in the mass market back then. I say give it life and use it. They still bring pretty high $$$ so you could always sell it and move to a more audiophile orientated table/manufacturer.

H9

rayslifecycle

Rock that TT

If your cart is in need of replacement - I always recommend the Denon DL160 Moving Coil Cartridge - sensitive and sweet

ozzy21236

I have this table currently. I believe it is an excellent performer and a host of upgrades are available from kabusa and others that would allow this table to scale quite nicely with much higher priced equipment .
Now , because the SL 1200 mkxx has historically been used by DJs , remember that it wasn't designed as a table for DJs but adopted by them as the standard due to the tables ruggedness and most excellent isolation characteristics .
There will always "better" sounding equipment out there , and there certainly are better sounding tables than the Technics.
Just because the "Wheel of Steel" is not generally audiophile approved , it is certainly , imo , audiophile capable.

Russ

hearingimpared

Clean that baby up and do some upgrades and enjoy your vinyl collection.

dkg999

hearingimpared wrote: »

Clean that baby up and do some upgrades and enjoy your vinyl collection.

+1 on that!

polkatese

Thanks, guys for the feedback. I didn't realize that after market exist for 1200. The mentioned about kabusa by Ozzy got me to venture to their website and appreciate what's available for upgrade. This could be an interesting upgrade exercise of the table. I am really tempted to upgrade the cable and the fluid damper, at the minimum, and perhaps get a better cartridge.

thanks again, guys.

Danny Tse

I'm still saving up for one.

heiney9

I'll add I wish I would have never gotten rid of mine. Dumb, youthful regrets

polkatese

Keiko wrote: »

+1...I bought a Technics SL-1210M5G last month and love it. Combined it with the Denon DL-160 and it rocks.

Is that in Black, Keiko?

I need to find a location in my crowded living room now, for a separate coffee table to place the table...:)

dorokusai

Don't waste your money on it. Buy a better turntable.

ben62670

I should have gotten a 1200 instead of my Project III. The platter sucks on mine. Most owners suggest getting the speed box controller, and the acrylic platter. Those two mods are $300 plus the $350 for the table never mind a new cartridge. Either go large, or run a 1200 with a good cart.

polkatese

so, 10 says yes, and Mark said no.

What's your beef with 1200 my man?

dorokusai

I run a solid vinyl rig elsewhere and that's a table not worth the investment.

danger boy

I think the Technics SL1200 MKII is over rated...

dorokusai

Keiko wrote: »

I'm happy with my investment Mark. The Technics are built solid and with proper care will last a lifetime. The 1210 sounds great to my ears. Different strokes I suppose.

Absolutely. Keep on rockin'!

strider

polkatese wrote: »

so, 10 says yes, and Mark said no.

What's your beef with 1200 my man?

There are a lot of audiophools that swear by those tables. Check out the Vinyl Circle over at Audio Circle, the moderator of that circle has a direct drive Technics and has some pretty interesting mods done to it, most of which won't break the bank. The KAB mods are pretty well thought of as well. Read the vinyl tweaks sticky at the top of the Vinyl Circle if you happen to venture over there.

It wouldn't be my first choice of tables, but that sure as hell doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

Doro with a TT? Wouldn't have guessed that. Maybe him and Jesse all geared up in Adidas jump suits, gold tooth displays, and Kangols rocking some house parties in MD?

billbillw

IMHO, you don't need anything more than an SL1200 mk2 to enjoy vinyl. Coupled with a good cartridge, it can bring you a great deal of enjoyment. To get anything signficiantly better, you need to spend well over $1k. The $300-$500 tables that are out there today are no better, and in some cases worse! Just put a good cartridge on that SL-1200 and use a heavyweight mat with it. Do not use one of the thin felt mats that the DJs use. Those are for scratching and don't give you the isolation that is needed for audiophile playback.

By the way, my opinion comes after owning two different Oracles, a VPI HW-19, a nice vintage Yamaha YP-D8, and 3 different Technics tables including the SL-1200mk2.

I still have the VPI and wouldn't trade it for anything, but honestly, if I'd had an SL-1200 first, I'd probably be more than happy with it. I also still keep a Technics SL-1300 that I use for dubbing vinyl to my PC. I can't really complain about that table either. It has very steady playback, no rumble, and the cartridge tracks perfect with no discernible distortion. What more do you need really? I paid $15 for that table and put a $55 Shure M97xe on it.

erniejade

I have had a pro-ject turntable 2 denon's DP45 and PL62 and a thrones 160. Every time i go back to the 1200 and denon DL160 combo. It just sounds better!

You can spend a lot more $ on a combo but why especially if you have a 1200 already. Remember when the 1200 was introduced, it was NOT introduced as a DJ table. DJ's just found it rock solid and started using them.

For the $, the 1200 is still a solid well build turntable.

polkatese

Thanks again for the feedback, guys.

I am running into logistical problem: My B&K REF50 doesn't have Phono input nor my Krell 400xi. any suggestion?

hearingimpared

There are loads of inexpensive phono preamps on the new and used markets. Belari comes to mind.

hearingimpared

Keiko wrote: »

Just to kinda give you an idea polka. Put one of these between the turntable & line level and your good to go.

http://www.phonopreamps.com/index.html

Thanks for posting that Gus.

polkatese

Thanks for the linky Keiko..

erniejade

If you are looking for a little better quality of a phono preamp, http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-SE-Preamplifier_3?sc=2&category=401

the needle doctor has several and they do have a 30 day in home trial with a no questions asked return. I tried out a few before I settled on the Pro-ject tube box SE II http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-SE-II?sc=2&category=401

polkatese

Now that it seems that I actually might have the opportunity of revisit tube pre-amp again (I had Dodd MLP briefly, and wasn't too impressed with it), my thought is to try out tube based phono pre-amp. What would be a good one, with a max spending of $500 used, to be paired with 1200? TIA guys.

erniejade

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-II?sc=2&category=401

This one will come right in at the price you are asking about. just give one a try. Remember they do have a 30 day in home trial.

The Jolida is also another one I have heard good things about.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Jolida-JD-9A-Phono-Preamp?sc=2&category=401

bikerboy

Hi,
With all you are going to spend on a cartridge and phono pre amp, I would use the table you have until you know you are able to get the best out of it with proper setup. When that happens its time for a better table. Setup is the key with vinyl. But when its good its great to hear the old lps again. As soon as I can find the time and money I will be building a Hagman Coronet 2 from his kit. Good vinyl is much easier on the ears than cd. Have fun.

polkatese

Thanks Ernie, those Jolida looks very promising, I like the low profile and tube...

Phil Dawson

I bought a 1200 about 20 ears ago when it looked like vinyl was down for the count. It has served me well and sounds good. I talked to Todd the Vinyl Junkie (find him on line) about a new cart and he said that's there's nothing wrong with the 1200 and told me that the bass was better on it than many other TT (omething about rumble or something because of the direct drive set up). Use it and enjoy.
Good luck, Phil


SRA-SDS Front
2 cs400i Center
SRS-SDA Rear
Shure 12in sub
B&K ref 10 pre-pro upgr to ref 50
Techniques 1200 TT
Mac MR71 Tuna
Lexicon rt-20 uni player
HK citation pre for TT
2 PSE Studio Mono Blocks
4 PSE Studio Stereo Amps
1 Mac 2100 Amp for sub

DeadFeat1

I really enjoy listening to my SL 1200 MK II with a modest Grado Black cartridge. I never gave up my record collection and continue to go through periods where I enjoying giving them a spin...

unc2701

I've got both my VPI and a 1200 mk2 set up right now. Now, I've got different cart's on them, so it's hard to make a fair comparison, but obviously, the VPI wins.

HOWEVER, the 1200 is a solid contender and when my friends come over and the bourbon comes out, I put the cover on the VPI and fire up the 1200. It's got some terrific isolation, will run for 20 years without skipping a beat and I don't have to worry about some drunky knocking the belt off the platter.