Technics TT Manufacturing dead

bacobits1 · « **on:** 27 Nov 2009, 06:37 pm »

I didn't see this announced here so here it is.

http://www.inthemix.com.au/news/intl/45075/Technics_is_dead

D

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 06:50 pm »

Well, large companies need lots of sales to keep things hopping. Truly not good news for the vinyl community. Now watch the prices soar on these tables. Better get one while you can.

Wayner

bacobits1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 07:00 pm »

Up the $$$$ That was the first thing that came to my mind too.
Buy one now!!

D

enjoythemusic · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 08:58 pm »

HOLY CRIPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As an ex-DJ for quite a few years the 1200 was like rice is to the Asian food table. Everyone had one, used it and loved it. i guess the good news is that there are so many of them in the market. Darn, maybe i should buy a few MK V and store them away?

Wow, just wow. Seriously, this is HUGE news

Wayner · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 09:24 pm »

Kevin at KAB is going to have a problem as well. This also means that the Audio Techinca version of the same table will be out as well as some other knock-offs that use the same parts.

As the economy continues it downward spiral, my suggestion is get used to things like this. If you plan on buying some components from large manufacturers, you better buy it now.

W

Wayner · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 09:25 pm »

By the way, if anyone believes the media hype that the economy is getting better, good luck to you.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 12:28 am »

I'm real surprised that Matsushita kept the manufacturing of the Technics tables in (relatively pricey) Japan all these years

The Japanese Yen has had quite a rise in value recently.....making profits more elusive for Japan-made products and companies.

I think a year+ ago I read that they made/sold 88,000 units in that year. That's probably a good month for a lot of their more expensive televisions they make. It just doesn't add up to much sales for GIANT Matsushita...and when your profits are puny or nonexistent, you cut the easy stuff first.

Wow, that is a hard blow for Kevin at KABUSA...a Technics SL-1200 specialist (and real decent guy, too)

Wayner - that AT knockoff is made in China...do you know it has the same parts as the Technics (it certainly looks like it)? Not sure if everyone realizes that both Audio-Technica and Matsushita (aka, Panasonic) are run by the same family - the Matsushita's (either cousins or brothers, I think).

http://mixguides.com/microphones/vintage_products/audio_audiotechnicaforty_years_innovation/

So, for all we know the legacy to make them is being left for faux-rival Audio-Technica to do in China now as it's too small for Matsushita to continue with. Kinky family stuff, maybe

John

Bear Heath · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 01:32 am »

Or perhaps not.

http://www.residentclubber.co.uk/newsinfo/2009-11/2009-11-27.htm

MaxCast · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 02:42 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 27 Nov 2009, 09:24 pm

Kevin at KAB is going to have a problem as well. This also means that the Audio Techinca version of the same table will be out as well as some other knock-offs that use the same parts.

W

you mean this one?? ATPL120

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 03:15 am »

Yup - that one, MaxieRich.

TONEAudio tested it and liked it alot...but if you look at the 246 Amazon reviews of it, it's a troublesome unit.

It's a dead-ringer for the Technics SL-1200 Mk. II....only it's been proven as unreliable.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-PL120-Professional-Direct-Drive-Turntable/dp/B00012EYNG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259377956&sr=8-1

John

Wayner · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 12:24 pm »

Yes John, I looked real hard at an AT at a stereo shop one day awhile ago. The parts are exact. Even the plinth is the same with some additional features that AT added.

There is one hope, that someone offers to buy the line from Matsushita and continues production somewhere. There are lots of die-cast molds, tooling and jigs I'm sure.

80,000 units for a smaller company sure sounds like it could be profitable.

W

vdejulio · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 01:55 pm »

If you read futher through the comments on the original link one of the guys contacted
Panasonic UK and these were his comments

"Clarification came from Panasonic UK to squash rumours. And It's not what you might think. So here goes - the 1200MK5 and 1210MK5 WILL be discontinued leaving the 1210MK5G as the top of the range and most definitely NOT discontinued. It never was a limited edition, just a flagship special edition model. And the 1200 and 1210 MK2 will continue as normal. So now there's some distance between the MK2 and MK5G models instead having a middle MK5 deck to confuse matters. So it's vanilla Technics or the more expensive piano black extra pitched blue light luxury model left in the range."

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 02:00 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 28 Nov 2009, 12:24 pm

There is one hope, that someone offers to buy the line from Matsushita and continues production somewhere. There are lots of die-cast molds, tooling and jigs I'm sure.

80,000 units for a smaller company sure sounds like it could be profitable.

W

Yeah, but Technics might sell that many as a side-effect from selling so many other things to large outfits. Ie, buy 1000 TV's, camcorders, blu-ray players and the dealer sticks 10 Technics SL-1200's in for the ride as free freight and minimums are left.

It doesn't take that much throw-ons to reach 88,000 units this way. It's a lot harder for a smaller company with less clout to replicate it. Not sure how you'd replicate the dedicated team in Japan that makes these so ironclad, as well, without affecting the quality.

Clearly, the AT is a dead-ringer for it, but it has a reputation for poor/errant/inconsistent quality control.

Anyhow, I just read (edit - I now see member vdejulio just wrote a moment before this post and confirmed) that much of this might be partial bunk. It would be the Mk 5 discontinued...leaving the Mk 2 and M5G in the line. In Japan, they have a pricier Mk. VI version out, so may that's the future for this venerable deck

John

jimbop · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 08:26 pm »

This was posted on Audio Asylum today:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/87/871224.html

TONEPUB · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 08:31 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 27 Nov 2009, 09:25 pm

By the way, if anyone believes the media hype that the economy is getting better, good luck to you.

It is getting a little bit better, just not enough fast enough. A lot of people I know that sell raw materials have said that their orders have been picking back up. Whether that's just to replace stocks that have been completely depleted remains to be seen.

It's like getting fat. If it took you ten years to get fat, you aren't going to get unfat in three months.

We've dug ourselves a big hole and it's a series of complex problems. We aren't going to get out with a quick fix, no matter what side of the fence it comes from.

I think the SNL poke at Obama last weekend was pretty much on the money.

But on the SL-1200 front, guess I'm gonna have to buy a spare in case mine wears out. That UK post is two years old...

You guys finally talked me into an SL-1200 and now they are going to be discontinued! Talk about irony....

bacobits1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 09:24 pm »

Here is the Jan 2007 story. It is almost 3 years old.
http://www.skratchworx.com/news3/comments.php?id=603

Sorry I brought it up. I got it off of AA.

Never mind.

D

Wayner · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 09:34 pm »

Well, it made us all wonder what would happen if it was true. Makes one think a little how fragile our little audio world is.

W

Lyndon · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 09:42 pm »

TonePub said:

Quote

It's like getting fat. If it took you ten years to get fat, you aren't going to get unfat in three months.

What???

But I was told on the massive Turkey Diet I would be a fast leopard by Christmas! Now I'm so depressed I gotta find my vinyl copy of Mountain and look at Leslie West to make me feel better.

rcag_ils · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 10:54 pm »

Technics turntable dead? Well, while the DJ scratching community's weeping over it, the real vinyl community can care less.

Direct Drive turntables have decieved vinyl fans for decades, actually it's defunct is good news, we all should overjoy that Direct Drive is dead.

Wicky, wicky no more

Wayner · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Nov 2009, 11:29 pm »

Bite me.