Technics Debuts New SL-1200GR2 Turntable 

It’s wonderful to see a major corporation like Matsushita/Panasonic continue to provide their state of the art engineering prowess to the audiophile community.

1980s hip hop dj’s rejoice. Still rocking my 1200. A workhorse Hats off to this spokesman. Lots of history and insight. Plus he speaks common sense.

I was in high school when I bought my SL-B92 in 1986 and it is still going strong ! I love the new SL-1200GR2 !

I’ve had my 1200 mk 2 for years and love it! Still going since 1979

I love Technics turntables and the brand. Thanks for sharing.

I still have 2 mint 1200 MK2s both with mfg date September 11, 1987 with shure cartridges and they work and sound like New. These turntables were built to last 👍

I bought an SL1200GR a few weeks ago as it was on offer and added an Ortofon bronze cartridge and an Ortofon 78 cartridge in a spare head shell, this was a huge amount of money for me as I'm not an audiophile and took a lot of thinking about it before buying and when I heard the new one was coming out soon I did wonder whether to wait and pay more or to grab this deal whilst I could. I was fortunate to get one of the last ones available and I'm absolutely loving playing my rock n roll 78s on it, those and regular 33rpm albums and 45s sound better than anything I've ever played them on before. The 1200GR has replaced my old belt drive Technics SL-20 that I bought second hand in the mid 80's and probably dates to the mid 70's and could only play 33 and 45 rpm records. I bought some shelving cube units and have got all my records out of cases in the wardrobe and it's been fantastic rediscovering them and hearing them sound better than ever before. The 1200GR really is a superb record player and if the new model is even better then I think anyone who buys it will be more than happy with it, I love mine and am so glad I decided to go for it and didn't go for the less expensive brand I was originally looking at, I thought that if this one lasts as long as my previous Technics deck it should see me out! My thinking was buy quality, buy once and enjoy it for years rather than wishing I'd spent more and got what I really wanted. When it arrived I was amazed how heavy the 1200GR is compared to my old SL-20, the platter weighs a ton and doesn't ring like the old one does and everything feels so solid and beautifully made, a quality bit of equipment. I also learned how to properly set up the turntable which helps. Sound quality is amazing and I don't think I could hear the difference with a more expensive SL1200G? For me, this SL1200GR is absolutely perfect. I've rediscovered my love of vinyl, one very happy Technics SL1200GR customer. It will be interesting to see the comparison tests when the new SL1200GR2 hits the shops though. Now I wonder if a better amp...... ;)

Great turntables! I’ve owned a Technics since 1980.

Bill Voss comes over as really pleasent guy, and that turntable is insanely desirable. I'm retired now and have to watch my spending very carefully, other wise I would buy a pair of these in a heart beat.

I still have my 1979 Technics SL-3300 and it still works flawlessly. Never has been serviced. Love it.

My very first Technics was an SL-D1, which I still have and use. It has been so reliable I just never have found a reason to get rid of it. Smooth, quiet and dependable....everybody has their own preferences and I've just never seen a need for any other turntable.

Wow, very nice! Thanks for the preview. Love me some Technics SL series. 😎

I still am rocking my Technics SL-D2. I love it

so actually in the future I can purchase this circuit separately and install it in my 1210GR. Excellent!

Thanks for the great video Michael, I am still salivating over it, so will watch it again!

My 1987 SL-1210MK2 with a Shure R1000 cartridge is still going strong and love it.

I love my 1210GR! so worth the investment

The worlds no. 1 turntable. Happy to see it still going strong :)

Really enjoyed this presentation, Michael. Like many who’ve left a comment on this video, I’ve used a combo of belt and direct for many years, and enjoy both for different reasons. I will definitely consider this TT from the presentation, as I will be looking to replace my current DD in the very near future.

When I was a D.J. in south Florida in the 80's I had 4 1200s in the booth. Best tables ever.

I have the SL 1200 MKII built in 1985 and KAB upgraded. It is an awesome table.

I bought the Technics SL-1200M7L 50th Anniversary black DJ Turntable earlier this year and absolutely love it. I paired it with the Ortofon 2M Blue on one head shell and an Ortofon 78 on an OM20 for 78s. I’m sure the mechanics are similar. I wish this edition had come with a hinged cover Thank you for this review.

I still have and use a Technics SU Z25. Great little amplifier.

I have the SL-1200G model and I adore it. I use the Ortofon bronze cadenza cartridge. Sound wise, wow incredible...

nice. i still have my sl1200 mk2, which i bought not too long ago used. its a crazy tank. easily serviceable also

Man that’s a clean looking system.

Many of my fancy turntables have come and gone but still have my 1995 SL-BD20 in the living room! In all that time I've replaced the belt once and a new stylus and I can assure everyone that it gets lots of use!

love love the turntable good stuff Technics 👍👍👍👍👍👍❤❤

I am still using my SL-1200 M3D, with an Ortofon Bronze. I purchased it brand new quite a long time ago, and it works perfectly, built to last.

Solid presentation. Just like the Turntable.

Awesome!!! Mr. Fremer.

Manythnx Michael

Cogging was never a real issue on direct drive turntables even back in the day. Marketing BS to sell belt drives over direct drives. Personally Iv always preferred direct drive as speed stability is an important factor . My 45 year old pioneer pl 518 still going strong 💪 and sounding amazing.

My most recent turntable was a Technics SL-1200mk7 and I loved it. I would consider picking up this turntable if I had the money available. Who doesn't wanna be part of the Technics Army?

This is terrific news. I still have may 1400 and 1800 from the 70s.

Still awaiting the review of the 1200G series. I heard one in real life recently and I was extremely impressed. Over to you Mr Fremer...

Last year I brought at 1500C - as my DJ Days were over, decided I never needed the Pitch control ( But it does look cool ) the 1500c sounds superb with the Ortofon Blue

I still left the left side of amp empty for one of these beauties it will actually be paired with a MONO stylus for all my mono pressings while the mk2 will be left with the clearaudio maestro MM since it’s as far as I’m concerned the best stylus in the

Thanks Michael. Great content, as ever. Technics offer amazing bang for buck.

Love my 1200 mk2 but this one looks sweet.

Man, swing that platter around near the tonearm was making me nervous. I have a SL1200 MK3 and love it. I will get either a GR2 or the G, eventually.

amazing, just got a Jico SAS/B for my 205c mk3 and was testing precisely with tjis Technics Test record... although I am in the GR MK1 :) I would like to know when Technics comes back to the Cartridge manufacturing... a mk5 for epc-100 and the epc-205 would be amazing !!!

That’s a badass turntable!🔥 Hats off to those spinning these!

Technics still the best. i love playing on my decks

The motor drive system is still very good but the tone arm still looks like 1970's to me but changing the the cartridges is still a big selling point

I have originally new from 1979 a SL-1700MKII it’s the same as the SL-1200MKII but with a floating platter and tone arm more like a Thorens. Bought new for $200 with a Shure V15 type IV

The SL1200 GR was launched at 1499€ here in France back in 2016 I guess .. now it costs 1749€ because of inflation, demand, blablabla .. this new SL1200 GR2 will cost 2199€ .. maybe it's better, maybe .. but let's be honest, these changes feel minor to me right now .. and the reality is that prices only go up with Technics products these days .. that is sad ☹☹

The amp, speakers and cartridge help though ;)

Bought mine about 3 weeks ago, I got the black 1210GR2 and am more than impressed and happy with it, running an Ortofon 2M Black for now but will try a Hana cartridge in a few months.

I have found that the lowest torque setting on the GR model provides a smoother, deeper presentation, whereas the higher torque settings are more "shouty", if that makes sense. Lower torque for more "grace". Low torque vs high torque has always sounded similar to MC vs MM carts, with the former having more natural extension and the latter having more punch. Where I'm curious here, is will there be a way to do part swaps on a GR to get the noise reduction improvements from the GR2 without having to change out the entire deck? Swapping control boards is a lot less tiresome to me than having to completely switch turntables.

I own an SL 1210G and I’m very interested in this turntable for a second rig. It’s a very good presentation but I’d like it to be abit more technical.

Does the U.S. version of the GR2 come with a Universal AC Input? 100-240VAC 50/60Hz?

Can i get it with low capacitance tone arm wires so i can play CD4 Quadraphonic LP's?

Ive just bought this with the 2m black. Do i need a spacer between the cartridge? The manual says its 14mm in height, im confused

Still mixing with my old sl-1200mk2 and ortofon concorde carts , hope to get another 10 years from them . Glad the mk7 and the new models are not Hanpin OEM

Mr. Fremer just to let you know the Jazz Bums Channel dedicated a whole video on dogging you out. They really let you have it. This deserves a rebuttal for lack of better terms. I let them know you are the Vinyl God and Guru and it was unacceptable. Rock on Mr. Fremer I owe My whole Collection to you!!!

My question on turntables. If you were useing the same cartridge would you notice a difference between a Fluance Rt85 and this new Technics would you actually notice a difference?

Nice interview. Nice turntable too. However, what I desire is something this good and similarly priced, but prettier. It is, after all, the topmost component and a focal point of many systems. I'm struggling to find both qualities in one unit.

What's like likelihood that an SL1200-G2 is in the works ? Surprising yet nice to see they started out the improvements on the GR series.

I run vintage DD tables (a Pioneer from the 70s and a Denon from the 80s). Belt drive tables are a PITA to me. Not that they are all bad, there are great ones out there, they are just more cumbersome. Of course, I am also rather limited in what carts I can use not due to weight, but due to VTA because VTA is not adjustable on my tables. It is set, so for example I can't use a cart set at 23 degrees VTA as my tonearms are set at 20 degrees VTA. (I could possibly do so with shims, but that is another $300 at least and is for professionals. I know how to set up turntables thanks in part to Michael Fremer and have set up my own tables, but I would not in any way consider myself a professional). While my tables are not as adjustable as today's tables (and I can't even use Wally Tools on them, just not compatible. I do have custom protractors for them though at least), the one thing they do have going for me is that they are built like tanks almost. I could throw rocks at them and they wouldn't care. (I don't recommend doing that though). I was always wondering how I would replace my tables if anything happened. The Technics tables of old were awful in regards to speed control, etc. This new table is NOT the tables of old. I'm not a fan of the DJ table look, but I can live with it for the functionality of this table. Only a few years ago I would have to pay around $10,000 for a direct drive table. While $2200 is expensive to us normal people, but in today's money $2200 for this table is quite good! If I had to replace my tables today, this would be it. I may even try to save up now (would take at least 5 years at this point) and replace my current tables just for kicks if nothing else.

Wish Technics would re release the SL 1950 auto changer in the UK like they did in America 80s

The intro song is great! It sounds like The Crusaders.

Can I ask the spokesman, my old 1200 top plastic dust cover case pivot at the back that allows me to lift it is broke at the plastic piece (not the metal). How do I fix?

Want! I sold my pair of SL1200 MK2s back in 2019 and I got double what I had paid for them originally but still regret selling. Maybe I'll snag a pair of these babies?!

Can you give the name of the song played at the beginning of this video

Does the platter wobble just like the GR MK1?

I wonder if they’re also working on a new version of the 1200G, not that I can think of anything that needs to be improved.

Is this going to trickle UP to the SL-1000R, or doesn't it need it?

I have an SP10 Mk2 and an SL-1210 M3D plus a pair of SL-1210mk2 😁

Whats with the Lift? Is it improved?

I really would consider getting one of these IF it had a removable tonearm board instead of that tonearm. I would put a Wand on this table and be very very happy. When will Technics understand most people want to upgrade the tonearm?

All Technics turntables are now made in Malaysia ?

It’s a nice update no doubt. However, I’m still waiting for something ultimate in 1200 series of turntables. Technics has been doing a great job launching all these models and special editions in the past 7-8 years since relaunch of the turntable and brand for that matter, but something like 1200GAE and perhaps external power supply from the SP10R and return of that Boron tone arm would be highly appropriated among enthusiasts

So, why does the speed control need to be offset from the zero position-???

according to US CPI inflation calculator, these would be ~$1000 decks in 1993. more expensive than I recall paying for my grey-market SL1200mk2s around the time, but it does seem like the drive technology has improved.

I have several questions ❓, What kind of needle and cartridge do you use, and give slightly what's the difference between SL1200mkll and this new edition?

Technics the best ❤❤

Say Michael, dose it still come with the plastic over hang gauge?

A delta sigma modulator is a $0.50 part. It is so common it is in every capacitive button on the planet, every touch screen, most audio DACs. So there is nothing keeping them from putting it in a $200 turntable.

Isn't the end result more dependant upon the cartridge and RIAA preamp rather than the improved engineering precision as good as that might be?

It also debuts a new price tag.

is this made in Japan? what amplifier/ speakers do you recommend to work best with this turntable. thanks

Never thought of upgrading my sl1210 mk2 but ill book a demo and see if it can out perform my techy you better put a good cartridge on i use a audio technica at33 pgt11 on mine and it sings

Wow and didn’t know Technics invented the direct drive. I’ve always loved and had Technics TTS and just bought the SL-5 linear tt from like 1982 from eBay and love how great it’s built and made. I also have the Technics SL-1400 and it’s the smaller version of the SL-1200 and also built solid. I’m glad Techincs are still making tts bc around 2002, the word was Technics was no longer making tts. Also, Technics has a list of all their tts on the internet and good to view to see the model you have or want and when they came out. The reason most djs back in the days stuck with Technics 1200 was bc it was the best and reliable.

Sorry for the noob questions but can someone remind me, does the 1200 have an auto stop function or is it fully manual?

I wonder what percentage of sound improvement will it be if any if it was compared to the GR on the same same system with the same cartridge etc Michael?

It has hinges!!!! for the cover. Wonder how the Isolation is compared to the MK7

Can you get this for 220 volt for Asia

I wonder how the sound would differ if a SL-Q2 would be the turntable used.......

I'm not shure yet but I have to confirm if I prefer LED Vs Incadecent Pop Up Target Light but it seems that the LED gives off more glare and makes the grooves less visible. Again, I have to confirm this.

I just bought one and I can’t get platter on, the screws are too short helpppppppppp

So moving to a cheap switched power supply is now marketed as better than a transformer, and that and the digital-controlled motor have some magical capability to reduce rumble?

Where is the best place to order one of these can anyone recommend a good place. I'm in Los Angeles.

I hope Technics makes Cartridges again..

This is a direct drive /fully automatic?

Hi, thanks for the video. Technics has repeatedly claimed that the GR is not suitable for dj'ing. What about GR2?

So when will this technology lead to the 1200G 2

Does it have a digital or analogue pitch controller?

My 1600mk2 will outlast me. 😊😊😊

Is Technics aware that in a high number of 1200s, GR model but also G model, the platter is unbalanced and has a wobble effect? If the answer is yes, has Technics done anything to prevent it?