Technics SL-1200 is a legendary turntable manufactured since 1972. It has undergone several modifications and is still produced today. Many manufacturers offer or have offered copies of this turntable (eg omnitronic DD, etc.).
Technical specification
Magnetic (no wear), direct drive (low slip) mechanism.
High torque (1.5 kgf·cm or 0.15 N·m), which means the platter spins at the desired speed almost immediately (0.7 seconds to reach 33 ¹⁄₃ RPM from standstill), and rapidly reacquires the desired speed, without "overshooting", if the platter is dragged or nudged. This aids beatmatching.
High torque (3.3 kgf·cm for SL-1200G & SL-1200GAE)
High torque (2.2 kgf·cm for SL-1200GR)
High torque (1.8 kgf·cm for SL-1200MK7)
Low wow and flutter (0.01%), implying that the platter stays within 1/100 of 1% of the desired speed.
Heavy base (2.5 kg), and increased isolation of platter from base, reduced the likelihood of feedback or stylus jumping.
Variable pitch control, allowing the rotational speed to be adjusted from -8% to +8% (for the purpose of beatmatching). Option to select -16% to +16% added (M5G/MK5G/GLD, GAE/G/GR & MK7).
High reliability: many examples of SL-1200s lasting well over 15 years of heavy use and withstanding physical shock without functional impairment.
S-shaped tone arm: No longer popular on high end hi-fi turntables.
Dimensions MK1: 45.3 cm (w) x 36.6 cm (d) x 18 cm (h)
Dimensions MK2: 45.3 cm (w) x 36 cm (d) x 16.2 cm (h)
Weight MK2: 11 kg (net, unboxed without lid)
Weight G/GAE: 18 kg
Weight GR: 11.5 kg
Weight MK7: 9.6 kg[6]
Voltage: 220 V / 110 V (selectable)
Pitch Control: +/- 8% or +/- 16%
Starting Time (MK2): 0.7s
Rotation Speeds: 33-1/3 & 45 rpm
Rotation Speeds: 33-1/3, 45 rpm & 78rpm (MK4 MK7, G & GR)
SL-1200 MK1
Manufactured: 1972 - 1978
SL-1200 MK2
Manufactured: 1978 - 1989
SL-1200 MK3
Manufactured: 1989 - 1996
SL-1200 MK4
Manufactured: 1996 - 2000
SL-1200 MK5
Manufactured: 2000 - 2008
SL-1200 MK6
Manufactured: 2008 - 2010, 2016-2019
SL-1200 MK7 (pre EU trh označenie SL-1210)
Manufactured: from 2019
