Technics SL-1200 MK2: Still The Best DJ Turntable (My Review)

Still The Best DJ Turntable: Technics 1200

Okay, I must admit, I’m 100% bias here as this is the turntable that I use the most. With that being said this turntable is credited as the most influential turntable ever created and is considered the standard turntable for djing. I’ve been djing with these turntables for 15 years. It is, simply, the last turntable you will ever need.

I know the price tag is up there but you WILL get your money’s worth. Like I said, I’ve own these for 15 years, but my father owned the same pair for 20 years before that.

Let me repeat this…I’ve not had a single issue with these turntables for 35 years! They are built like TANKS and after all this time are still the best DJ turntable in 2018.

Why Technics Turntables for Djing?

The genius of this turntable is simplicity, durability and reliability. There are no extra gimmicks, gadgets or electronics to mechanically fail or affect the performance.

Of course, this simplicity may not be for everyone as some people want all the newest features. However, there will always be new turntables with new features, but this classic has stood the test of time.

There are also ways to incorporate new features on this beauty if that is an issue ( mixers features, new dj software etc.)

I’ve also been a Serato guy from the start (Software Review Coming Soon!).

Brief Technics SL-1200 History:

The Technics 1200 was first designed back in the 70’s as a mid-priced hi-fi turntable for home consumer use. It was a departure from belt and ider drive turntables and featured a high torque direct drive motor.

After some tweaks the MK2 was born in 1978. It featured this high torque, but with added resistant to external feedback, less internal vibration, sliding pitch control and an accurate quartz-controlled motor.

This turntable was tough enough to handle extended disco mixes, giving birth to the modern DJ and later helped define hip hop culture. It still remains the standard for dj’s and turntablists alike.

Several models followed, but the MK2 remained the base model until discontinued. As of 2010, the Technic 1200s are no longer available directly from Panasonic.

So if you can get a hand on any of them, they are a MUST BUY. They have retained value exceptionally well in the past 40 years and can be thought as an investment.

Here are some links to some places still selling The Technics SL-1200s (Updated regularly for newest links)

Technics Sl-1200 MK2: Price $1999.99 (Only 2 left in Stock)

Technics SL-1210 MK2: Price $1999.99 (Only 2 left in Stock)

Technics SL-1210 MK5: Price $1999.00

Technics 1200 Key Features:

Magnetic (no wear), direct drive (low slip) mechanism.
High torque(1.5 kgfcm 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.
Low wow and flutter (0.01%) ( the platter stays within the desired speed).
Heavy base (2.5 kg), and increased isolation of platter from base, reduces the likelihood of skipping and feedback
Variable pitch control, allowing the speed to be adjusted from -8% to +8%
High reliability and durability (examples of 1200s lasting decades)
S-shaped tone arm

What are the differences between the Technics 1200 models?

The Technics MKII’s are the original and there are really only subtle differences to the other models in the 1200 series. They are basically all the same when it comes to their features.

Technic 1200 MK Models

Subtle differences include:

MK2 has a zero point in the pitch fader that clicks into place.
MK3 and MK4 are Japan only models
MK4 is the only one with 78RPM as an option and the only model with removable RCA cords.
MK5 and M3D both have a recessed power knob making it harder to accidentally turn off. They have no click in the pitch fader. They also have a button that disables the pitch adjustment and locks it at 0%.
The M5G has a pitch fader that switches from +-8% to +-16%

Direct Drive vs Belt Drive

The Technics 1200’s are a direct drive turntable and almost all turntables I’m going to recommend FOR DJING on this site are direct drive turntables. The advantages of a direct drive are :

Speed accuracy
Lack of wow & flutter due to the platter being directly driven by the spindle shaft motor
No belt to replace

DJ Turntable vs Listening

This is first and foremost a DJ turntable and the best to ever be created at that. It is still highly suitable for listening and never had an issue listening to genres from hip hop, EDM, to classical.

Some audiophile purists do not believe in using a direct drive table for listening to their precious classical vinyl collection due to concerns of rumbles from the motor; I’ve never had this issue while testing my collection.

Any negatives?

Not really; There are really only two small negatives to this turntable and one of them may not even be a negative depending on your needs.

It does not have all the cool electronic features and software syncing capabilities of newer turntables. (It will still connect to a mixer and can be used with any DJ software.
Changing the output wiring can be a hassle. If you want to change the wiring you will need to disassemble the bottom of the turntable and unplug the original output wiring. Not a very big issue for an otherwise exceptional turntable.

Best Scratching Turntable?

I got into djing as a scratch heavy turntablist. If you’re into scratching; again this is the standard and it all points back to that beastly motor that is built into this turntable. Just make sure you have a good scratching needle and cartridge and you’re ready to go. I will say that there are better turntables for scratching, (higher torque) but this turntable will last the test of time.