[Wayner]

Here we go......



http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/6/10725560/technics-1200gae-turntable-hands-on-luxury-tank-ces-2016

This info is from Mary at AVA...

'ner

[Brad]

Saw that on a couple of sites this week.  Looks like a limited edition run of 1200 fancy ones, then a 'normal' one.
The changes to the motor look interesting.

I don't think they've announced pricing yet.
Glad to see them continuing this beast.

[Wayner]

The special edition one will be about $4,000 (SL1200GAE). The later release will be less (SL1200G).

'ner

[twitch54]

Wayner, as we were saying over @ AK, if pricing is reasonable (around 2k, standard version) I'm definitely in like you. I find it hard to believe though some of the 'rumored' 10k pricing, even 5k will be tough to swallow

Dave

[Russtafarian]

I don't understand why Technics would price themselves out of the DJ market.  That's where they will sell the most TTs.  They must have decided not to compete with the Hanpin (Stanton, AT, Pioneer, etc.) decks.

What are the chances Hanpin will build it for them?

[Wayner]

Only the Special Edition model is $4K and there are only 1200 made, so DJs are not part of the marketing scheme. I'm hoping that the "regular" model will be $3K<. BTW, the SE is suppose to weigh 40 pounds.....

'ner

[jtwrace]

Are they worth $3k though?  There are a lot of kick ass tables at that price point. 

[Letitroll98]

Yeah, the 1200 was a great budget giant killer, at these prices not really interested unless there are major upgrades.  I will follow the progress to see if there are such upgrades to the proposed standard model.

[neobop]

The new 1200 is an audiophile table with a coreless motor, magnesium arm, aluminum top plate, etc.  Check it out:
http://www.technics.com/us/introduction/hifi-direct-drive-turntable-system-sl-1200gae/

Scroll down to the picture and click on the buttons.  It has more rotational mass than the SP-10 MK2.  Looks like Technics addressed all the weak points and went on to see how good they can make it.  If this baby sounds as good as it looks, no $2K table will come close. 
neo

[Letitroll98]

Thanks neo, yes it does look pretty cool.  If I read it right those specs are for the GAE model, one wonders how much will be included in the G model.  Regardless, you're right, there are some major improvements.  Can't wait for a review, maybe they'll send me a sample one if I ask real nice...

[RDavidson]

Whoa! That's cool.
Keep in mind the 1200 didn't start life as a DJ table. There are plenty of remakes (and used originals) out there for that, as has been pointed out.
Glad to see Technics looking to truly improve the 1200 as well as take it upscale. I guarantee some DJ's will still buy them for DJing.....then quickly find that the extra $ spent on a pair, doesn't really amount to a better table for their purposes.

[dmckean]

Very few DJs will every buy these, it's not like you'll be able to buy them at Guitar Center.

[C17FXR]

Yeah, the 1200 was a great budget giant killer, at these prices not really interested unless there are major upgrades.  I will follow the progress to see if there are such upgrades to the proposed standard model.

It use to be a great budget giant killer but at these prices its now a "Great Budget Killer".   
Would love to get one of these, they look real nice. I guess I better start saving all my pennies.

[mcgsxr]

I am not a vinyl user today (heresy I know!), but I cut my teeth spinning wax on a pair of these in the late 80's and early 90's in my University DJ "career".  Just seeing a 1200 always takes me back to swivel cup headphones, a stack of QSC amps, a smokey bar (remember those?), and the dynamics of a student bar at night.

[GentleBender]

It looks like only the Technics SL-1200GAE model sports the magnesium tonearm. http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/5/10718234/technics-sl1200-sl1200g-sl1200gae-turntable-new-models-announced-release-date-ces-2016

[undertow]

$2000.00 to $4000.00?

Please. Last one before they decided to shut the line down 3 or 4 years ago was the M5G or something, you could get a special gold edition for like 750.00 new. The standard was around 600. I have had a couple over the years, not a bad table, but definitely not worth even over 1000.00 totally upgraded. Just buy used for 300 bucks, and add all the KAB upgrades here, especially the "Fluid damper" on the arm for $150 bucks.

http://kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/

[RDavidson]

You're missing the point. This new 1200 may be improved to the point that it merely shares the 1200 moniker, heritage, look, and basic function. It may be like comparing an old classic Porsche 911 to a new 911. The classic is great but doesn't really compete. But...we have to just wait and see.

[*Scotty*]

In case someone missed it the turntable has something like a synchronous linear motor wrapped in a circle to spin the platter. I don't think I have seen this approach before. The motors design allows very high torque to be applied due to its high mechanical advantage. It's a heck of a design and if the $2000 model shares the same basic design sans the weight, then it should be a pretty good sounding table. One hopes that the arm on the less expensive table isn't badly compromised.
I'm afraid that the days of $700 giant killers are gone.
Scotty

[dmckean]

There is no $2000 model, the Technics reps at CES are telling everyone that both models will be around $4000. The GAE model will be limited to 1200 units, I wouldn't except more than about 200 of those to get outside Japan.

[bacobits1]

For that kind of money I would look elsewhere for sure!
Even for 2k I would look elsewhere. Just more $$ nonsense.