AT LP-120 or SL1200MK5 ?

JP78 · « **on:** 7 Nov 2011, 04:24 am »

Hey all,

A friend is getting ready to start with vinyl and I'm trying to help her a bit. She has about $500 to spend on a table / arm / cart, and I think the SL-1200 is the way to go.

Is the AT player based upon the MK2 or the MK5 (M5G) of the Technics?

Also, as far as stock Technics players go, the MK5 version seems to be selling for ~$500, while the MK2 version is selling for ~$300. Does anybody with experience think the premium is justified? Of course the table is also probably 10 years newer (or more!).

Best,

midfi · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 05:02 am »

a close friend of mine (he's a REAL DJ) has the AT's and he swears by them. I don't know what he payed for them but I do know he done the Plasticlay deal to the body cavities of his. He's also a Ortofon or nothing guy as well...

JP78 · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 05:32 am »

Appreciate the reply. It looks like the Technics-rebranded AT is still seling for $300, which seems like a fantastic price.

I would like to know which revision of the SL1200 it's based on though, as if it's based on the MKII then a viable option would be to purchase a stock MKV and then slowly upgrade with KAB mods over time.

Best,

Wayner · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 12:48 pm »

The AT is not a re-branded Technics. They may share some parts, but are built quite differently inside. I own both.

The Technics SL1200MK5 is a much better machine, and the anti-skating actually works. this feature does not work on the AT.

Wayner

tomytoons · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 01:37 pm »

Quote

Also, as far as stock Technics players go, the MK5 version seems to be selling for ~$500, while the MK2 version is selling for ~$300. Does anybody with experience think the premium is justified? Of course the table is also probably 10 years newer (or more!).

May I ask where you are getting these at those prices? Used are going for quite a bit more than that.

JP78 · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 03:54 pm »

Sure, just on eBay. The Technics models aren't new.

dlaloum · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Nov 2011, 11:55 pm »

An SL1200 has far greater potential than the AT...

If in good nick it should start out being better than the AT, and it can be modded/tweaked with off the shelf bits to be much much better than the AT.

bye for now
David

JP78 · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 03:33 pm »

Thanks! Picked up a mint condition MK5 on eBay for $500 shipped. While it's for the gf, still very excited to get my hands on it.

Will keep you guys posted; any recommendations on the inaugural vinyl album to play? Every time I got a new CD player / DAC in the past it was always Kind of Blue. Pretty excited.