A Vocal Track to Compare the Technics SL-1200G and the Continuum Caliburn With SAT Arm 

What an exquisite voice. And recording- airy, clear, detailed, even through my iPad. Wow. 😳🤩🥰🔥❤️🕊 Even deeper, more dimensional image with even more intimacy on the second! Amazing technology. 🥳🌀

The continuum is way more balanced and clear, more define, absolutely beautiful

It was this final review that convinced me to buy the SL1200G ... I even bought the music used in this demo lol I bought mine for 2k so not to bad. I've owned many cool turntables including Linn LP12 and various Rega incarnations, even an SL1200mkII/SL1210 mkII and I'm super pleased with my purchase. the SL1200G sounds very different. Detail, imaging, depth, and presentation is audiophile quality 👍

That surprised me, it was the Technics for me. I’m off to buy one. Thanks.

Not gonna get in to "more air, brighter" and what not. What I have noticed is she sounds more alive and happier... just happier.

Both captivatingly beautiful. Fantastic. Sound is different but not objectionaly. The big rig had more romance.

Technics 1200G is amazing. I had the 1200gr first and really enjoyed it but after upgrading to the 1200g you can really admire the sound quality along with amazing quality in engineering.

To my ear they were close. I did not hear an $8000 difference. Thank you for teaching me about this record. I must get one now.

What I would really want to hear is a comparison between the previous 1200 Mkwhatever and the new 1200G. It would most likely shut up all the commentators who think Technics is just upping their price for no reason.

I first learned of the existence of this recording/LP through your video. I don't know how this original pressing sounds compared to the one I recently acquired (England 1972 VSD 713/14) - and taking into account my completely different setup - but the sound and performance is great. This has certainly become one of my favorite recordings (in general, and of these songs in particular). Thank you!

I really like these comparisons Michael and appreciate the work that goes into creating them. I would love to see other tables in the mix- e.g. VPI Prime, Rega RP-8. Thanks again.

I would love to hear the 1200G against a SP10 mk2. That would be a contest that will clearly show how Technics has progressed

I was surprised to hear a difference on my laptop, but given that constraint, I could still hear the expansiveness and natural quality of the continuum clearly, albeit with extra surface noise.

excellent choice that turntable of yours is so special thanks for uploading loving the videos

I keep hearing two words in my head listening to this comparison: Diminishing returns

Her vocals have more body on the Continnum than on the Technics, as well as the low strings. There's simply more warmth. Also there's greater depth to the sound. I wouldn't have believed I would be able to hear much difference​, but there it was. There is the question about the tonearm/cartridge resonance point on each and how that might have affected the sound.

Given the chasm in price of the two turntables, we would surely expect a difference. I like how the 1200 sounds and would be more than happy with it, though I'm bound to say my SL1600 Mk2 is pretty remarkable too. That the Continuum is better is a given (smoother, yet with luscious detail), but seeing as it's out of the reach of most enthusiasts, self included, I'd rather focus on how well the Technics acquits itself in what is, to all intents and purposes, a totally unfair contest. Interesting though, so please let's have more.

When it come's down to the KING OF AUDIO you my friend are the KING.Peace!

They both sound great to me.

Great Video Michael. Sounds wonderful! Big fan of your video's. Got back into records recently and wow what a difference from CD's!!

I think the sound is close. In that regard, that is a big win for the Technics 1200G. I also think further cartridge experimentation with the Technics 1200G in pursuit of a 'best match' scenario would close the gap even more. The Continuum is the superior turntable. I cannot imagine anyone would think otherwise. However, this is an audible example of diminishing returns on display. I believe that the Technics 1200G with a best match cartridge placed in a system that someone really enjoys would be a fabulous edition with no reason to ever look for an upgrade. You will have a magnificent vinyl experience in your possession.

the Continuum is so much more a live , i can hear the music flows in more 3 dimension the Technics sounds just as clear but more flat .

What a voice words cannot describe her voice great video

Interesting observation here, according to my ears and perhaps my mood... and speakers: 1) contrary to the expected and often superior lowered noise floor of a high end turntable, the Continulum reveals more of the imperfections in the groove, perhaps etched from previous play, minor but it is there. This background "crackle" residual as I call it, is not as apparent on the Technics 1200G. Whether this contributes to a sense of more air and space is a matter of the characteristics of human hearing (less distraction) and personal preference. 2) There is actually more air and space by the Continulum, in particular the rather bright reverberation of the singer's voice, not as much heard on the 1200G The background noise residual may be distracting from that.. a better record (perhaps impossible to find) would reveal the superior resolution of the Continulum. 3) Natania's voice has more body and substance and detail on the Contiulum. I call this "vocal texture" much like the texture of a fabric, close up, we can see exactly how well it's made, the actual interweave of the strands. In sound production, "vocal texture" is the harmonic character of a voice, its subtle nuances, its unique identifiable signature... The voice is an amazing instrument as the beating of the reeds are largely a part of its quality, (and can be heard in better sounding hifi systems) plus the various resonant cavities, the natural talent (and acquired) the technic of singing, how to shape the throat and mouth... "vocal texture" is my own contrived term.

I like the mustard on his chin.

My impression is that Technics leans toward a crowd-pleasing sound, crisp, bright, and fresh, a lot more than the other one which sounds darker and deeper.

The Continuum sounds more musical, dare I say it, more analog. The Technics sounds thin, somewhat mechanical, and more "digital." This demo confirms my preference for belt drive turntables.

Anyone with reasonably good listening skills should hear a marked improvement of the Continuum and SAT Arm. Its not even close. And it would even be a even larger improvement when played on a good system rather than the compressed audio from youtube. But yet people will discount there is a difference either because they cant justify the price difference or simply dont know what to listen for. Besides being able to hear more detail in the recording, better clarity of instruments, hall ambiance, air, delicacy you hear a greater range in her vocals. Although the SAT is not in my budget the few times I have heard it, it is an amazing tonearm. I was even skeptical it was that much better than some of the other state of the art arms I have heard. I was shocked how much more detail was coming from that tonearm It is now on my list of audio products that has pushed the state of the art in analog playback. Not many products have revolutionized analog playback like the SAT tonearm, the Aesthetix IO phono stage ( with upgraded tubes and dual power supplies ) the PC 1 ultimate and a few other outstanding cartridges. I'm not convinced I have heard huge turntable sonic improvements because there are still some older turntable designs that sound outstanding to me. People need to understand that small improvements in sound does come at a premium, but for those trying to get the best possible sound these costs can be justified if it gives the investor greater enjoyment and pleasure. Welcome to high end audio

The second one is sounding more spacious and opening and lively.

The Technics sounds a little brighter and the Continuum seems more neutral. Both are fantastic machines.

Netania sings this song with such beauty..Where all female sopranos go wrong is there's no yodel.. This is the best you're going to hear this it has beauty and that alpine feel like it should.. Clearly the Continuum however the Dohmann with the SAT arm would be nipping at the heels :-)

I have the Victoria de Los Angeles recording on both Vinyl and CD. I've also got the Kiri Te Kanawa recording on CD. Wonderful music. BTW, the language is Auvergnaise. They are an ancient people in the Midi area of France. Limosin is in this area. In the full set, some of the songs are in French.

Thanks for bringing this charming song to us. I listened to the whole album and there are gems in there. Now I can't wait to get my hands on the LP. Here is the translation I found ... Damn sweet! The spinner When I was a little girl I tended the sheep. Lirou lirou lirou … Lirou la diri tou tou la lara. I had a little staff and I called a shepherd to me. Lirou lirou, etc. For looking after my sheep he asked me for a kiss. Lirou lirou, etc. And I, not one to be mean, Gave him two instead of one. Lirou lirou, etc.

Michael, It is interesting that we can clearly hear differences with digital at 320kbps which is what youtube allows. I know it is a difficult question but how much of the difference is masked by the compression?

The Continuum/SAT/Lyra combo brings out far more detail and nuances of her voice. It has greater dynamic range as well. This, over the internet via my AKG headphones, IS recognizable. IMHO.

What I seem to notice the most is the soundstage that feels more stable and accurate with the Continuum, in depth specially, and also a bit smoother. The G is great too though.

I think they sound more similar than different. What i mean is that the recording still dominates the sound.

Technics for me. Great hifi without costing you arms and legs for a placebo effect.

Michael, Are you sure the 24/96 downloadable files (on your website) of this vocal recording are labeled correctly? After listening to those files I still prefer the sound of the B file which is supposedly the Technics. I find it interesting and mildly bothersome that I prefer the sound of the less expensive phonograph.

Woof. Your very expensive TT really never fails to impress. For most of us, it is completely unattainable. Thank you for the demo. I personally have entertained the technics for my next TT, among just a couple of semi affordable units. Could you ID the cartridges please? You are a real piece of work Mikey, thanks for your, well, everything. Please carry on!!

Technics- $2000. Continuum Caliburn- $65,000. No, they shouldn't sound close.

Ridiculous, people are making comments on the sound quality based upon a video recording (digital) which is uploaded to a website then streamed and played back probably through their computer speakers. Seriously...

Thanks for the comparison - and for putting the high-resolution files for comparing on the website. Also thanks for hinting me to this record! Just ordered a copy; going to listen to the Japanese pressing of French songs sung by a Soviet soprano singer recorded in Europe by a US American label... on my German turn table through a Japanese amp and English speakers... good audio knows no borders :D Thanks again, ~ Michael

We are not going to hear the true differences on RU-vid but while the Continuum is clearly better and a more realistic and relaxed presentation, I can see some preferring the more immediate approach of the Technics. Irrespective of the vast price difference I think one is hearing much of the typical direct drive v belt drive presentation difference. I am getting a similar difference at a lower price point between Pioneer PLX1000 and Michell Orbe / SME 309. The Orbe does make a fair stab at what the Continuum can do at a real world price. Would like to hear the Technics SL1200G against the Michell Orbe as in a similar price range.

The music in the second turntable sounds more authentic, more natural...

something I noticed is Micheal does not use a washer when screwing the cartridge to the tonearm. i tried this as I have been using a washer under screw forever. what a difference. something that simple makes that much of a difference.

OK, I hear the difference now. The Continuum has a more relaxed and natural presentation. There is more air, three dimensional space, and realism in the presentation. However, the Technics is not bad for the price.

SO that store WAS the "Music Exchange" in Kansas City ... thanks for buying a record from that shop

I can hear a clear difference! no question the the Caliburn has a more natural tonal balance, especially in her voice, just sweeter + a noticeably wider soundstage, having said that the Technics is a mighty fine turntable at the price and is probably a bit of a bargain, I'm wondering what it sounds like with an sme iv or v on it as soundhifi have done?

When vinyl sounds good it sounds really good. Strangely my turntable has bad days, but most of the time it sings and I'm just using a Dual 1218 and a V15 III.

Hi Michael, nice one. Both good but the SL-1200 was a bit peaky on the higher midrange. Must be some resonance in the tone arm?

Mr. Fremer, No disrespect to the 1200G, it’s a beast for 4000.00. But could I borrow your table for a couple of years, so when I have friends come by to play LP’s I can say, “game over”!

My grandfather (who i never met) managed Jenkins music company in KC wayyyyy back in the day. He had a record out called Markles Miracles... would love to find one. He passed away almost 43yrs ago when i was 2 weeks old. Really enjoying your vids big dog. Thanks for making them.

I'm very impressed with the Technics. It comes MUCH closer to the reference rig than I would have imagined. I had 2 Technics SL-1200 MKII that I used in my night club and I took one home to compare on my audiophile system, which at the time, was a Linn Sondek and a Souther Straight Tracking arm. THAT SL-1200 sounded horrible. They have made great strides in the performance of the new SL-1200!

Yes beautiful piece of music Michael. Good choice.

Was the same pickup cartridge used on both turntables? I didn't hear any difference.

Both sound the same coming to me via RU-vid on my 2009 Mac Pro (2008 edition) and Bose speakers. Ok.. so thee cheers for the SL-1200G .... with which cartridge? And thank you!

Thank you Michael for your review of theSL 100C very helpful I am considering it if I can afford not crazy about cartridge but…..

This is, indeed, an extraordinary recording by the great Seymour Solomon. Both samples sound good, but I am listening on my MacBook Pro using Apple earbuds. Not your most critical listening system. Serious music lovers, though, should try to get a copy of the 4-track reel-to-reel version, which is simply breathtaking.

Much bigger soundstage with the Continuum

Beautiful song. Bailero left me speechless. Thanks for the heads up. Alfred Deller singing Henry Purcell would be a great test.

Thank you Mike for doing a vocal track comparison! I think the Caliburn sounds smoother and more detailed - though by necessity I am limited to hearing this on my android phone (Kyocera HydroWave). On site listening I'm sure highlights even more the difference between a $2k TT and a $100k TT! With analog playback spending more does usually give improved sound. Just don't expect miracles at the low price end - though with careful matching of TT's, tonearms and cartridges excellent results can be achieved! And don't forget the phono stage!

Hi . I want to point out the following, for there to be objectivity between the two turntables they should have the same head and the same cartridge and the question is what do they have??

Although both players sound wonderful, I preferred the sound of the Technics SL-1200G because the vocal had a more centered, more open, pure and precise tonal quality exceeding those same tonal characteristics of the Continuum Caliburn in comparison. Don't misunderstand what I've written here. IMO, both are superb players which sound magnificent but the Technics was a little more to my liking.

I can tell the difference over my iPhone. It has a rather modest speaker. I’ll bet the difference is way more pronounced in person. Beautiful. Love to hear it in person. Oh, yeah... the Continuum is the better of the two.

Nice Mofi collection behind you ;) Much like Impulse records or early era Columbias, the spine makes them instantly recognizable. The Caliburn's control is clearly evident here in the playback much like the video you posted yesterday. I'm sure you have run the Feickert app on both tables? It would be interesting to see the data from both posted side by side.

The Technics is a little thinner and brighter. It also has a slightly more homogenized, forced and frantic sound to it. With all that being said there is still something I like about the Technics. More "Alive" maybe or exciting?

Oh! How much is enhanced the beauty of the sound with the "clicks" and "humm" the composer undoubtedly had in mind but forgot to write on his music sheet! 😅😅😅

I hear alot more of the dirt in the grooves on the 2nd turntable. I like the Technics better. But I love Technics turntables so I might be biased

I'm a 1200 owner and have no problem admitting the second turntable clearly sounds better. Specifically, the background instruments sounded better. I know this is a coarse playback on RU-vid, but my rig has a decent sound card connected to Bose speakers using good cables. Not exactly audiophile but better than most computer sound systems.

$65,000 turntable -- powered by a $1.75 outlet and current carried by $0.09/foot Romex 14/2.

I heard this on my Mac book pro 15, on my karaoke system (air streamed to Rotel 1580 DAC -> A&H Qu Pac Mixer->DBX PA2 actives Xover->Crown CDI300x4 biamped -> JBL VTX F15 speakers, and on my stereo system ( -> Luxman D-06 DAC->Accuphase E460-> Haberth C7ES speakers)...and they all tell the same story. the Continuum sound much better. The voice is so warm, clear and sweet. The Technics sound much colder and clinical...However, if I have listened the Technics alone, its not that bad. On the side note, I tried to hear the difference between the stock mat and the "highly acclaimed" Funk Firm Achromat on the same systems of mine, but I could not, just a hair line difference at most, while other people said they heard "big" difference.

Wondering if the technics tonearm could use dampening fluid to get a warmer sound . Either way it still sounds great .

They sound different from each other but none of the tables are objectionable . It now becomes a matter of taste and the cost for what you’re really getting for you money.

The wide open soundstage, the accoustica of the ambiance, the ease of presentation of the difficult vocal reproduction. The 1200G didn't come close. I was expecting a much smaller difference, but the difference was worlds apart it turned out. Can't wait to listen to my cheapo sl1500C

I couldn't tell the difference between both turntables. What I can tell you is that both are at such a high level that, to me, there is no audible difference. At least listening to the recorded sound in the internet. I don't know if I were sitting in the same room where the turntables are and listening to both once again I would be able to discern any difference between them. Even in this mp4 sound, I can tell you that the system you have is as good with one or the other. Thanks for showing us the alternatives to the best of the best?

Fun video. Thanks Mr. Fremer. No trouble hearing the difference between the tables despite being through RU-vid. Running Parasound electronics and Focal Sopras.

I can hear a difference and prefer the Caliburn but it's not by a huge margin. The Technics is good enough that I would think with some time finding a cart more optimized to it's strengths that it could end up being a tossup when compared system to system instead of turntable to turntable. That is, a cart/turntable combination that isn't apples to apples... but rather idealized to idealized.

Just wondering if it was the exact same cartridge on both decks?

I wanted there to be no difference, I wanted once and for all this argument to be done. But the continuum wipes the floor with the technics. I first noticed in the "le lo le lo le" s. You can hear her breath and her tongue as right near you. The technics kind of smears it, makes it 2 dimensional Technics doesn't sound bad though.

It's really interesting that the turntables sound exactly like I'd expect them to for the price and the price difference even in this wonky format. Also of note is that both tables pick up about the same amount of record noise.

I find it extremely interesting given the price difference of the two tables that there isn't that much difference. Yes Michael your TT setup sounds better but not by much.

Mister Fremer, I always enjoy your take on the state of the art in vinyl, thanks for the fine work (such fun!) Listening to your shoot-out on a Kenwood KR-6400 receiver and a pair of open ear Sennheiser cans, the Technics sounds a bit brighter, and the Continuum is by comparison warmer. The "latter platter" also seems more substantial, rounder and less anxious...? Having listened back and forth many times I have fallen for this artist, such amazing chops. Both tables are lovely, and I usually prefer a brighter sound but the winner this time is the well-tempered Continuum. on another note... I bought the Music Hall 5.3 rosewood table (Ortophon Bronze) based on your opinion, spent more money than I ever have on a turntable, then got the Rogue Audio LCR-MK III phono pre. I love them both. I'm a professional keyboard and saxophonist, and we notoriously spend money only on instruments and rack gear, but I finally said, "Enough!!" Instead of getting that new horn or software plug-in I bought a mint TEAC A3440 w/dbx, and an analog mixer that is paired with the A3440. Lots of cables later, and some great buys on a pair of ADS L710's and L880's things are sounding much sweeter here at the monastery, much, much sweeter... Since going analog-all-in parishioners are bringing me their vintage gear and I'm inundated with Tuners and Receivers and tables. A crazy buy from Jersey-- a used Yamaha YP-11 turntable with Stanton 681EEE cart straight into a (gifted) Marantz 2220B Receiver is what started the whole ball rolling. ( I couldn't believe how good it sounded) So, Mister Fremer, you have started something up here at The Friary in the Poconos, and I like what I'm hearing. I'll tug on your coat later, I'm thinking about saving time on record cleaning without breaking the bank--currently doing a labor intensive manual five-step method. Help!! brother Jimi PS- I pray while I'm cleaning (Cleanliness is...)

What capacitance and resistance settings are used with these two tests, and what interconnects did you use from the tables to the preamp? These things can have a significant effect on the output

Technics sounds brighter, with greater imagery and initially more exciting. The other one dare I say it sounded tamer, more controlled, where the Technics would sometimes get carried away on the high end the Continuum Caliburn showed more discipline and probably would be less fatiguing after a long listening session. This is only distinguishable from this back to back comparison and knowing the differences between them I would go for the Technics because the added brightness it has can easily be lowered by a different cartridge or it might be something completely different with another type of music.

i cant help thinking that the sound difference that everyone is reviewing here is the vastly two different carts and little (if nothing) to do with the TTs. I mean the Technics looks like its running a MM Ortofon OM30 or something and the Continuum is running a MC...yes i can hear the obvious difference in sound but it sounds like the difference between MM and MC and nothing more....

Technics SL 1200G is crisper and more detailed to my ears and taste. Thanks for the excellent comparison demo.

is it me or does the technics arm seem to have trouble when the singer goes really high? i just dont like the sound of that arm after hearing the SAT arm

The 2nd play ,whether or not it was really the Continuum, was "thinner " and "shallower"

hey, 1200 junky and great fan of taking the piss out of the audiophile craze speaking here. so totally unbiased to say the least. Did hear the difference right away listening on nice bookshelf speakers+ meh-ok-ish amp, at stupidly low volume, 480p resolution after driving the loader all day at the construction site LOL. definitely the audiophile spacecake is richer in the lower mid frequencies in a way that is pleasant - at least to me - and brings less edge on the trebles, which makes it overall warmer but with no muffled feeling at all by comparison. very very nice, can't wait to hook up two of them on my ttm57 and run serato scratchlive lol

My guess was that the first sample is the Technics turntable. The second sample is more 'natural' and 'emotive'' sounding. The first sample is 'lively' and 'edgey'. Both are impressive.

I wonder how much of the difference is related to inexact mounting.ie no matter how good it's mounted it's going to be inexact due to inability of humans to measure as good as specs.

oh beautiful record and performance by the way.

Not even close. The Continuum and Sat is more detailed, open, and richer in tone. you clearly hear more of the hall, and ambient information which clearly adds to the sense of space and separation.

It sounds like there’s quite a bit of sibilance. Is that just this particular vinyl? Or maybe a config issue?

Boy, that shiny new one sounds great.

Assuming the same cartridge and stylus, the SL-1200 sounds better. Second recording had distortion in the higher frequencies not present in the first.

"But before i do that i have to tell you this story"....hell no..cut...."well max it was nice to meet you too".

Second table is amazingly good. Although sl 1200 isn't half bad.

I actually like the first one we hear. The second is lower, more settle, but to my ears a bit nervous when hearing the triangles. Another thing, The first one is way more precice in the lows, more body, but still accurate. Thats my taste. Hey Michael, how about a question about SRA. Wouldnt life be so much more easier if record labels was properly raised. Raised to cut every master and then when releasing the record, write on the back what reccomended SRA would be? Or what angle they cut acoordingly. Just so that they become aware that the darn angle means a lot to us nuts people.